In The Spotlight
Vertiv supports Paratus Namibia’s first private LTE and 5G network with resilient digital infrastructure solutions. (Image source: Vertiv)
Vertiv has announced its role in powering Namibia’s first private mobile network based on LTE and 5G technologies for Paratus, a pan-African telecommunications and network services provider
The deployment represents a major development in Namibia’s digital transformation journey, supporting Paratus Namibia’s transition from a regional connectivity company into a full-service mobile telecommunications operator.
To support the rollout, Paratus Namibia implemented new data centre infrastructure featuring Vertiv power and cooling technologies, alongside indoor and outdoor DC power systems designed to support radio equipment across its network.
The project involved several complex requirements, including converting a compact storage area into a fully operational telecom data centre, implementing modular uninterruptible power supply (UPS) capacity with future scalability, and ensuring reliable redundancy across power and cooling systems. These requirements were further intensified by strict timelines linked to the launch of Paratus Namibia’s mobile services.
As part of the deployment, Vertiv supplied a range of solutions, including cooling systems, modular UPS units equipped with lithium-ion batteries, rack power distribution units, and integrated AC inverter and DC rectifier power systems for both indoor and outdoor locations.
Paratus Namibia also worked with ISF ICT Infrastructure, a long-standing Vertiv partner in southern Africa, which managed the commissioning process and UPS system layout to ensure reliable network performance.
Vertiv and ISF ICT Infrastructure collaborated closely to overcome challenges related to global lithium battery supply shortages while maintaining project timelines. The teams ensured continuity by providing interim Vertiv backup loan batteries as a contingency measure in case of shipment delays. This proactive planning, combined with technical expertise and supply chain coordination, contributed to the successful delivery of the project.
Building a resilient digital network
The Paratus Namibia network now provides a complete mobile ecosystem featuring voice over LTE (VoLTE), Wi-Fi calling, advanced LTE and 5G services, alongside fibre and Sky-Fi wireless connectivity solutions.
The newly developed data centre supports mobile, residential, and enterprise services through a scalable and highly available infrastructure environment. Reliability and continuous operation were key priorities during the design process, with N+1 redundancy, real-time monitoring, and advanced power and cooling systems incorporated to minimise service interruptions.
These resilient infrastructure solutions support Paratus Namibia’s strategy to expand its market presence while responding to increasing demand for digital services across Namibia and the wider region.
Paratus Group’s chief technical officer, Gert Duvenhage, said, “Our vision has always been to build our own infrastructure as the foundation for long-term growth. With Vertiv and ISF ICT Infrastructure, organisations where we have long-standing trust, we were able to overcome space constraints, aggressive timelines and complex technical requirements to roll out scalable, redundant, market-leading solutions, backed with added technical capabilities.”
“The execution of this project was extremely smooth - when something works and there are no issues, it almost disappears from your radar - which is exactly how it should be.”
Supporting Namibia’s digital future
Vertiv’s portfolio of infrastructure technologies enabled Paratus Namibia to establish the country’s first private LTE and 5G mobile network. The deployment strengthens the company’s position within Namibia’s telecommunications sector while creating a platform for future digital development.
“With this network now operational, Paratus Namibia solidifies its role in shaping the country’s telecommunications landscape,” added Gary Chomse, Vertiv’s regional director for Southern and Central Africa. “The deployment not only boosts connectivity options for local users but also lays a foundation for future digital innovation and continued growth across the region. Vertiv is proud to support Paratus Namibia in bringing the country’s first private LTE and 5G mobile network to life.”
TOA, MTN strengthen Uganda’s digital infrastructure. (Image source: TOA)
TowerCo of Africa (TOA) Uganda hosted MTN Uganda at its Abira site in Arua District on 14 May 2026 as part of MTN Uganda’s FreeYOFire activities in the West Nile region
The engagement marked the official launch of MTN Uganda’s network on infrastructure operated by TOA, highlighting the role of TowerCos in supporting connectivity expansion and digital inclusion.
Connectivity has become an important foundation for modern economies, enabling access to essential services, information, and economic opportunities. In Uganda, this is particularly evident in the West Nile region, where digital adoption is increasing through mobile money, online education, public e-services, digital commerce, and instant communication.
Located in north-western Uganda, the West Nile region is strategically positioned between the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. The region serves as an important centre for trade flows, human mobility, and cross-border economic activity, with Arua acting as a growing regional hub.
The increasing use of digital services has created greater demand for reliable telecommunications networks. However, challenges remain in expanding network coverage and improving service quality, particularly between urban and rural areas. Telecommunications infrastructure therefore plays an important role in supporting digital access and reducing connectivity gaps.
MTN Uganda’s FreeYOFire initiative focuses on connecting technology with community needs by promoting awareness, encouraging digital service adoption, and highlighting the opportunities created by digitalisation. The Abira event brought together operators, partners, and communities to demonstrate the role of connectivity in everyday life.
The Abira site represents a key infrastructure point in MTN Uganda’s network expansion strategy in the region. The activation of MTN’s network on TOA’s infrastructure supports the delivery of mobile services by providing the necessary foundation for signal coverage, communication continuity, and increasing network capacity.
TowerCo of Africa plays an important role in the telecommunications ecosystem through the provision and management of passive infrastructure, including telecom towers, pylons and masts, technical sites, power supply systems, and infrastructure maintenance and security.
The TowerCo model is built around infrastructure sharing, allowing mobile operators to focus on delivering services while TowerCos support infrastructure deployment, availability, and optimisation. This approach enables better utilisation of existing infrastructure, faster network deployment, and improved efficiency across the telecom sector.
The partnership between TOA Uganda and MTN Uganda demonstrates how collaboration between telecom operators and infrastructure providers can support the continued growth of digital connectivity in Uganda. Through initiatives such as the Abira site launch, the companies are contributing to efforts aimed at expanding access to reliable digital services and supporting the country’s digital transformation.
BNB Liberia and Orange Money launch cross-border remittance services to enhance digital financial inclusion across Africa.
BNB Liberia, a prominent fintech and digital payments provider in Liberia, has joined forces with Orange Money Liberia to introduce an International Remittance Outbound Service, enhancing opportunities for customers to conduct convenient and efficient cross-border financial transactions
The newly launched service allows Orange Money users in Liberia to transfer funds directly from their mobile wallets to recipients across several African markets, including Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Mali, Uganda, and Rwanda. As part of efforts to encourage adoption and improve access to digital financial services, the service will be available at no cost during its initial three-month rollout period.
The partnership marks another significant step in BNB’s efforts to reshape Liberia’s digital finance sector through innovation, collaboration, and the delivery of inclusive financial technology solutions.
BNB has established itself as a key player in financial innovation across Liberia and the wider region, introducing several pioneering digital payment initiatives. These include direct remittance transfers into Liberian mobile wallets, digital foreign exchange services connected with mobile money platforms, expanded outbound mobile money capabilities, and digital payment solutions through BNB CashApp. The company has also developed a broad agent network that continues to improve access to financial services nationwide.
Through these initiatives, BNB has continued to support individuals, enterprises, and communities with secure, accessible, and convenient financial solutions designed to promote wider participation in the digital economy.
The Orange Outbound Service further enhances regional financial connectivity by enabling customers to send money quickly and securely from their Orange Money wallets by dialling 144113#. The launch event took place at The Icon 16, Orange Liberia’s headquarters in Monrovia, and was attended by representatives from the financial services, telecommunications, and fintech industries.
Speaking at the launch, David Ojo, Managing Director of BNB Liberia, highlighted the importance of innovation and partnerships in advancing Liberia’s digital economy:
“At BNB, we believe innovation and collaboration are essential to building an inclusive digital economy for Liberia and Africa. Our partnership with Orange Liberia reflects our continued commitment to providing fast, secure, affordable, and accessible financial solutions that improve lives and connect people across borders. We remain committed to working with regulators, mobile network operators, banks, and other strategic stakeholders to continue driving Liberia’s digital transformation forward.”
BNB noted that the collaboration supports its wider objective of expanding financial inclusion, simplifying international money transfers, and enabling regional commerce through technology-led financial services.
With Liberia’s fintech sector continuing to develop, BNB remains focused on launching innovative solutions and building strategic partnerships that empower customers while strengthening the country’s position as an emerging centre for digital financial services in Africa.
Standard Bank backs CANAL+ JSE debut
Standard Bank has played a key advisory role in CANAL+’s successful secondary inward listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), a transaction that provides South African investors with direct access to one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies
Acting as joint financial advisor and transaction sponsor, Standard Bank supported CANAL+ throughout the listing process, contributing its expertise in capital markets, regulatory requirements and transaction execution. The deal highlights the bank’s ability to facilitate cross-border equity market transactions and connect international companies with African investment opportunities.
The secondary inward listing enables investors on the JSE to trade shares in CANAL+, which maintains its primary listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The arrangement preserves a single, fully fungible share pool across both exchanges. While the transaction did not involve the issuance of new shares, it is expected to improve the liquidity and tradability of CANAL+ stock over time while expanding the company’s investor base.
The listing represents an important development for South Africa’s capital markets. By bringing an internationally recognised media and entertainment company to the JSE, the transaction contributes to the exchange’s ongoing diversification efforts and strengthens Johannesburg’s position as a gateway for global businesses seeking access to African capital.
The move also follows CANAL+’s combination with MultiChoice, further strengthening the company’s presence across the African continent and aligning its market operations with its long-term regional growth objectives.
CANAL+ currently serves more than 42 million subscribers across over 70 countries. The company has established a significant presence in both Europe and Africa, with the African market playing a central role in its future growth plans. Its strategy is supported by long-standing operations on the continent, investments in locally produced content and continued expansion of its distribution capabilities.
By securing a secondary listing on the JSE, CANAL+ is expected to strengthen its engagement with South African investors while increasing its visibility within one of Africa’s most developed financial markets.
“This is a milestone transaction for the JSE and for South Africa’s equity capital markets more broadly. The listing brings a globally recognised media and entertainment business to the local market, expands the investable universe for domestic investors and reflects continued international confidence in the depth, sophistication and relevance of our exchange. We are proud to have supported CANAL+ on a transaction that also reinforces Standard Bank’s position as a leading advisor on complex equity capital markets transactions across Africa,” said Richard Stout, Head of Equity Capital Markets, South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking.
“We are proud to become the first French company ever to list in Johannesburg and the only global media and entertainment company listed on the exchange. Following our listing on the London Stock Exchange 18 months ago, this dual listing reinforces our ambition to be a bridge between Europe and Africa. This milestone anchors our dual-continental approach, consolidating our unique position in the global media and entertainment industry,” remarked Maxime Saada, Chief Executive Officer of CANAL+.
The listing comes at a time when demand for premium and locally relevant content continues to grow across Africa. Increasing digital connectivity and a rapidly expanding consumer base are creating new opportunities for media and entertainment companies operating on the continent.
For CANAL+, Africa remains a key growth market, supported by its content portfolio, technology investments and established operational footprint. The JSE listing further strengthens its relationship with regional capital markets and investors.
The transaction also underscores Standard Bank’s role in supporting international companies pursuing strategic opportunities in Africa, while contributing to the development and expansion of the continent’s capital markets ecosystem.
Mastercard leadership reshuffle strengthens global customer focus
Mastercard has announced a series of leadership updates designed to strengthen execution, deepen customer engagement and support the company’s continued growth strategy
The changes are intended to reinforce the company’s customer-centric approach by bringing customer-facing functions together under a unified structure. According to Mastercard, the move will enhance coordination, accountability and support across markets while ensuring customer perspectives remain central to the development of products and services.
Effective 3 August 2026, several senior executives will assume new roles across the organisation.
Ling Hai, currently president of Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, will become chief financial officer, succeeding Sachin Mehra. Mastercard said Ling Hai brings extensive operating experience across international markets, deep customer and product knowledge, and a strong commercial perspective to the position.
Sachin Mehra will transition from chief financial officer to the newly created role of chief business officer. In this position, he will oversee country operations worldwide and lead Sales Enablement, Global Partnerships and Digital Commercialization under a unified global go-to-market structure. The company highlighted his operational discipline, financial expertise and commercial acumen as key strengths for the role.
Linda Kirkpatrick, currently president of the Americas, will become chief services officer, succeeding Craig Vosburg. Mastercard noted her role in expanding the company’s engagements beyond payments, strengthening partnerships and growing services offerings for financial institutions, merchants, fintechs and digital partners.
Dimi Dosis, president of Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, will assume the role of chief commercial payments officer, leading Commercial & New Payment Flows. He succeeds Raj Seshadri and brings significant regional and enterprise leadership experience, alongside a strong track record of driving growth and executing global strategies at the local level.
Jorn Lambert, chief product officer, will continue to lead Consumer Payments, bringing together Mastercard’s stablecoin, agentic and core payments activities.
Craig Vosburg will move from chief services officer to vice chair, serving as a global ambassador for the company while supporting regional leadership teams in developing senior stakeholder relationships.
Raj Seshadri, currently chief commercial payments officer, will become senior strategic advisor to the CEO, focusing on senior client engagement, key partnerships and emerging strategic priorities.
Meanwhile, Tim Murphy, vice chair, will retire from Mastercard in October as previously planned.
“Mastercard has built strong momentum by staying close to customers and anticipating where their needs are headed. That drives our innovation and how we deliver meaningful solutions for their customers,” said Michael Miebach, chief executive officer of Mastercard. “These leadership updates build on our strategy by aligning our team to that opportunity — strengthening execution, advancing a more connected customer experience and positioning the company for our continued growth.”
New subsea cable route between France and Tunisia enters service, enhancing digital resilience and capacity.
The ViaTunisia subsea cable segment between Marseille in France, and Bizerte in Tunisia, has reached Ready for Service (RFS) marking the transition from construction to full operational availability on a direct and resilient new route between southern Europe and North Africa
From infrastructure design to live connectivity
The journey to RFS began long before the cable touched the seabed. Designed as an open, point-to-point system with a 25-year design life, ViaTunisia moved through each phase: marine surveys, factory acceptance tests, cable loading, laying, shore landings and final splicing. Marine operations were carried out by Orange Marine’s Sophie Germain and Elettra TLC’s Teliri cableships, under the coordination of Elettra TLC, with system design and equipment delivered by Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN).
A European-supported infrastructure
ViaTunisia was co-financed by the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital) program.
The Grant Agreement, signed in December 2022, provided funding covering 30% of the construction and management costs. This demonstrates the EU’s commitment to reinforcing digital connectivity, supporting the rapid growth of data traffic driven by digital transformation and AI, and enabling new opportunities for digital services, investments, and innovation.
Creating a new digital bridge between Europe and Africa
ViaTunisia extends directly into Orange’s global infrastructure in Marseille, through a fully redundant urban fiber ring connecting all the Data Centers in the city. This set up enables seamless interconnexion and distribution of international capacity across Europe.
By combining the resilience, security and performance of a global backbone with Marseille’s role as a leading interconnection hub, ViaTunisia provides direct, high-capacity connectivity between North Africa and the wider digital world. It also multiplies route options in this area, especially in natural disaster-prone areas, minimising outages caused by cable failures, thus improving overall network resilience.
Yas, owned by AXIAN Telecom, advanced eleven places in the Financial Times Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2026 ranking.
Yas, owned by AXIAN Telecom, has strengthened its position among Africa’s fastest-growing companies after securing the 63rd spot in the Financial Times Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2026 ranking, compiled in partnership with Statista
The latest result represents an improvement of eleven places from the company’s debut ranking of 74th in 2025. Now in its fifth edition, the FT-Statista ranking evaluates 130 African companies based on compound annual revenue growth recorded between 2021 and 2024. Revenue submissions are certified at executive level, providing a stringent benchmark of high-growth businesses across the continent.
Hassan Jaber, CEO of AXIAN Telecom, said, “This ranking reflects the momentum we have built across every part of our business. Strong financial results, a successful bond issuance, the launch of Yas as a unified pan-African brand, and our continued investment in networks and digital infrastructure, which are not isolated achievements. They are expressions of a single, coherent strategy: to build the connectivity and digital services that Africa needs, and to do so with the discipline and ambition this continent deserves.”
The company reported strong financial performance for the 2025 financial year, achieving revenue of US$1.691bn, representing year-on-year growth of 20%. Yas currently serves 43.8 million subscribers across 11 African markets, reflecting increasing demand for digital services and connectivity throughout the continent.
In July 2025, the company also completed a successful US$600mn bond issuance after receiving a credit rating upgrade to B+.
Alongside its financial growth, Yas has also gained international recognition for its brand positioning. Following the rollout of its unified pan-African identity across mobile operations in Madagascar, Tanzania, Togo, Senegal and Comoros, the company entered the Brand Finance Telecoms 150 2026 ranking for the first time.
The brand was ranked among the world’s top 20 strongest telecom brands and was additionally recognised as a ‘Brand to Watch’ for 2026.
Via Africa submarine cable project aims to strengthen network resilience and connectivity diversity across West Africa
A new submarine cable initiative linking Europe and Africa along the Atlantic corridor is moving forward following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by a group of international telecom and digital infrastructure investors
The project, known as Via Africa, is intended to strengthen connectivity capacity, support rising data traffic demand and improve network resilience across the African continent.
The consortium behind the project includes Canalink, GUILAB, International Mauritania Telecom, Orange Group, Orange Côte d'Ivoire, Sonatel and Silverlinks.
The planned subsea system will establish a new route connecting Europe to South Africa, with landing stations expected in the United Kingdom, France and Portugal. The cable will also serve several Atlantic coastal destinations including the Canary Islands, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria, with further southern extensions planned to increase route diversity and connectivity reliability across additional African markets.
The project is structured around a consortium model that enables participating organisations to jointly invest in the infrastructure while taking part in governance and strategic decision-making. The approach is designed to provide partners with greater operational independence and infrastructure sovereignty while allowing them to contribute directly to decisions concerning system design, deployment and future operation.
Project stakeholders noted that the consortium framework remains open, with opportunities for additional telecom operators and digital infrastructure players to join the initiative at a later stage.
Via Africa is expected to improve the resilience of Africa’s international communications infrastructure by creating an alternative subsea pathway to complement existing cable systems. The new route is intended to strengthen redundancy and diversify connectivity options for countries located along the Atlantic coast.
During the project’s initial phase, consortium members will jointly fund a detailed marine route study aimed at determining the most suitable cable path based on technical, economic and resilience considerations.
At the same time, preparations are underway for the procurement phase, including the selection of a cable manufacturing and deployment partner as the project advances toward implementation.
New subsea cable route between France and Tunisia enters service, enhancing digital resilience and capacity.
DE-CIX, Internet pour tous and UNITED S.A. have expanded ACIX into a second Kinshasa data centre to strengthen regional interconnection
Financial inclusion grows through mobile money usage
Global mobile money transactions surpassed US$2 trillion in 2025, according to the State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2026 by the GSMA Mobile Money programme
This milestone highlights the sector’s extraordinary growth: it took two decades to reach US$1 trillion in annual transaction value, but only four years to double that figure.
Since its inception 25 years ago, mobile money has evolved from a simple money transfer service into a mainstream financial ecosystem, particularly serving populations underserved by traditional banks. By 2025, mobile money registered 2.3 billion accounts worldwide, an increase of 268 million from the previous year.
Vivek Badrinath, GSMA Director General, stated, “Mobile money has become one of the world’s most impactful financial services. What began as a simple way to move money has evolved into a global financial ecosystem, reshaping how hundreds of millions of people manage their financial lives. Adoption and regular use are surging, and value is scaling even faster than volume, with more than US$2 trillion flowing through mobile money in 2025 – doubling from the first trillion in just four years.
“Looking ahead, the industry’s growing scale and sophistication will bring new opportunities, and new responsibilities. By prioritising interoperability and cross‑border harmonisation; engaging in digital public infrastructure; strengthening consumer protection and fraud controls; and accelerating women’s inclusion and financial health outcomes, we can ensure mobile money continues to provide safe, inclusive, and sustainable digital financial services.”
Growing usage supports financial health
Active usage of mobile money continues to rise, with 593 million accounts active in the past 30 days, marking a 15% increase year-on-year. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for most of this growth, though usage rose across nearly every market where mobile money is offered. Monthly transaction activity reached 25.7%, the highest since 2021, although about 75% of accounts remain inactive each month. Challenges such as fraud and transaction taxes in some countries still encourage cash use, limiting financial inclusion.
Frequent mobile money usage contributes to improved financial health, enabling users to manage daily finances, withstand economic shocks, and invest for the future. The report also notes growth in adjacent financial services: mobile-money-enabled credit remains the most common, closely followed by savings services, while insurance offerings increased by one-third in 2025.
Regulation boosts financial inclusion
Supportive regulation is critical for mobile money expansion. Over 60% of providers report that interoperability standards, know-your-customer rules, and consumer protection regulations have helped their operations. Cross-border data transfer restrictions remain a challenge for 24% of providers. Strengthening regulatory frameworks can further enhance mobile money’s reach and foster greater financial inclusion, particularly for women. Despite progress in countries such as Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, women in most other surveyed countries are less likely than men to use mobile money accounts actively.
Innovation and social impact
Beyond financial inclusion, mobile money enables broader social benefits. It supports rapid humanitarian payouts in emergencies and provides access to digital financial services in remote areas. To fully realise these benefits, mobile money adoption should be complemented by digital financial literacy initiatives, ensuring responsible and inclusive growth across regions and demographics.
Vertiv supports Paratus Namibia’s first private LTE and 5G network with resilient digital infrastructure solutions. (Image source: Vertiv)
Apple launches Tap to Pay on iPhone in South Africa
Boeing to line-fit SES satellite connectivity systems. (Image source: SES)
SES has announced a key milestone toward achieving offerability of its multi-orbit antenna system for installation by Boeing
This development will enable airlines to take delivery of new aircraft with onboard connectivity systems already installed, allowing services to be activated immediately following delivery through a Boeing-provided modification.
As part of the collaboration, Boeing will integrate SES’s in-cabin connectivity hardware during the aircraft production process. This marks an important step toward making SES’s multi-orbit system available as a fully line-fit connectivity solution across Boeing’s commercial aircraft portfolio. Boeing will handle installation of the full in-cabin network while also coordinating the integration of external equipment. The initial rollout will focus on the Boeing 737, followed by the 787 programme.
“We are proud of our partnership with Boeing and this outstanding progress,” said Mike DeMarco, president of Mobility at SES. “We are on track for full line-fit offerability, giving airlines a seamless path to select and install the multi-orbit electronically steered array (ESA) antenna solution during aircraft factory production.”
“Our collaboration with SES reflects Boeing’s commitment to delivering advanced, reliable connectivity to our airline customers,” said Destry Lucas, Director Airplane Connectivity, at Boeing. “We are making strong progress bringing multi-orbit connectivity into the production environment, enabling a more streamlined installation approach and supporting scalable, line-fit capable solutions.”
SES’s multi-orbit system is designed to operate across both low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary (GEO) satellite constellations, enabling global coverage, built-in redundancy, and low-latency performance. The company’s electronically steered array (ESA) technology has already achieved 500 installations, with a further 1,000 commitments secured, highlighting strong market confidence in its in-flight connectivity solution.
Uganda approves Starlink operations after signing licensing agreement to boost internet access and digital transformation. (Image source: Ministry of ICT & National Guidence)
The partnership aims to expand broadband access nationwide. (Image source: Eutelsat)
Yas, owned by AXIAN Telecom, advanced eleven places in the Financial Times Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2026 ranking.
Yas, owned by AXIAN Telecom, has strengthened its position among Africa’s fastest-growing companies after securing the 63rd spot in the Financial Times Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2026 ranking, compiled in partnership with Statista
The latest result represents an improvement of eleven places from the company’s debut ranking of 74th in 2025. Now in its fifth edition, the FT-Statista ranking evaluates 130 African companies based on compound annual revenue growth recorded between 2021 and 2024. Revenue submissions are certified at executive level, providing a stringent benchmark of high-growth businesses across the continent.
Hassan Jaber, CEO of AXIAN Telecom, said, “This ranking reflects the momentum we have built across every part of our business. Strong financial results, a successful bond issuance, the launch of Yas as a unified pan-African brand, and our continued investment in networks and digital infrastructure, which are not isolated achievements. They are expressions of a single, coherent strategy: to build the connectivity and digital services that Africa needs, and to do so with the discipline and ambition this continent deserves.”
The company reported strong financial performance for the 2025 financial year, achieving revenue of US$1.691bn, representing year-on-year growth of 20%. Yas currently serves 43.8 million subscribers across 11 African markets, reflecting increasing demand for digital services and connectivity throughout the continent.
In July 2025, the company also completed a successful US$600mn bond issuance after receiving a credit rating upgrade to B+.
Alongside its financial growth, Yas has also gained international recognition for its brand positioning. Following the rollout of its unified pan-African identity across mobile operations in Madagascar, Tanzania, Togo, Senegal and Comoros, the company entered the Brand Finance Telecoms 150 2026 ranking for the first time.
The brand was ranked among the world’s top 20 strongest telecom brands and was additionally recognised as a ‘Brand to Watch’ for 2026.
BNB Liberia and Orange Money launch cross-border remittance services to enhance digital financial inclusion across Africa.
Mastercard leadership reshuffle strengthens global customer focus
International Power Control Systems (IPCS) has been named as a distribution partner in Malawi by Vertiv, a specialist in critical digital infrastructure
International Power Control Systems (IPCS) has been named as a distribution partner in Malawi by Vertiv, a specialist in critical digital infrastructure
The new agreement marks a major step in expanding Vertiv’s reach in the Malawian market, leveraging IPCS’s established experience in power control and alternative energy solutions.
“This collaboration will enhance IPCS’s product portfolio, reinforcing our position as a trusted leader in the Malawian market,” said Rumbidzai Bere, business development and marketing director at IPCS.
“The combination of IPCS’s experience in power control and renewable energy and Vertiv’s innovative solutions, such as lithium-ion compatible UPS systems and IT infrastructure products, will bring a new layer of reliability and efficiency to organisations in Malawi, enabling them to equip their critical infrastructure with the resilient, scalable infrastructure needed to support them over time.”
The agreement includes the distribution of Vertiv's comprehensive critical digital infrastructure portfolio, including single-phase and three-phase AC power solutions, surge protection, integrated racks and cabinets and IT infrastructure management solutions, to support the growing demands for computing and AI infrastructure in the region.
The Malawi government’s National Compact for Energy sets out the country’s vision and commitment to increasing access to electricity and alternative energy by 2030, with the aim of providing electricity to 70% of the population.
“Our collaboration with IPCS is a step toward reinforcing Vertiv’s local footprint and a strategic move to align with a well-established, respected partner,” said Gary Chomse, Vertiv’s regional director for central and southern Africa.
“This is proof of our presence, commitment and investment in the Malawian power control, data centre infrastructure, and alternative energy sectors.
“Through this partnership, Vertiv and IPCS are committed to contributing to Malawi’s technological evolution, providing businesses with the power and infrastructure solutions needed to support the country’s digital future.”
IPCS, a wholly Malawian-owned company, has built its reputation as a leader in power solutions since its foundation in 1998.
With a strong track record in supplying, installing and maintaining critical power infrastructure, including uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), data centre solutions, automatic voltage regulators, surge protectors, and alternative energy systems, IPCS is well-positioned to supply, install, and support Vertiv solutions in Malawi.
“This means that, as digital transformation accelerates and electrification efforts continue, there is immense potential for growth in the IT and power sectors,” added Bere.
“With Malawi’s youthful population, 80% of whom are under the age of 35, we also believe that the rise in IT skills, the use of AI and cybersecurity advancements will further drive demand for sophisticated data centre solutions.”
TOA, MTN strengthen Uganda’s digital infrastructure. (Image source: TOA)
The Vertiv PowerDirect 7100 Energy supplies up to 52 kW of scalable 48 V DC power and delivers efficiency levels of up to 98%. (Image source: Vertiv)
ASM strategies to protect digital assets
Attack surface management (ASM) has seen significant growth in recent years, evolving into a recognised market category that provides businesses with the visibility and strategies needed to safeguard their digital assets, reports Kyle Pillay, security as a service manager at Datacentrix
As Forrester’s Attack Surface Management Solutions Landscape, Q2 2024 notes, ASM “delivers insights on assets that ultimately support business objectives, keep the lights on, generate revenue, and delight customers.”
At its essence, ASM involves continuously discovering, identifying, inventorying, and assessing the exposures of an organisation’s IT asset estate, a foundational step in maintaining a strong security posture.
Knowing your environment
Fundamentally, ASM helps organisations ‘know your environment’, highlighting gaps in defenses before attackers can exploit them.
Every threat actor or hacker begins with reconnaissance, mapping out your external-facing assets. This is why External Attack Surface Management (EASM) exists: it concentrates on what attackers can see. Without viewing your environment through this external lens, organisations cannot know which access points are visible or exploitable, leaving them unable to proactively detect or prevent threats before incidents occur.
First steps in protecting your attack surface
The first step in ASM is identifying external-facing touchpoints such as public IPs and domains. For instance, you might recognise your primary domain (e.g., mydomain.co.za), but visibility into similar domains, like mydomain.com, mydomain.net, mydomain.tech, or mydomain.ac.za, is also crucial. These can be targeted for domain squatting or cybersquatting, where attackers exploit similar names to mislead users and enable phishing attacks.
A strong ASM solution not only maps your current footprint but also identifies domains worth securing before malicious actors register them.
If a deceptive domain is registered, like mydomain-tech.co.za, you need an effective takedown process. International domain takedowns can be complex, requiring a partner capable of legally liaising with registrars across jurisdictions. With the right procedures and partnerships, such domains can often be removed within four to eight hours, limiting potential damage.
Keeping pace with today’s infrastructure
One of ASM’s biggest challenges is keeping up with the rapid growth and sprawl of modern IT environments. While multiple tools exist, none fully match the speed of change, even as vendors iterate frequently, often in weekly development sprints, to maintain relevant detection capabilities.
Beyond speed, perspective matters. While an organisation may have visibility from one viewpoint, attackers do not limit themselves to a single angle. To defend effectively against modern threats, you need to view your environment as attackers do and understand vulnerabilities exploitable from within. This is where distinguishing between external and internal ASM becomes crucial.
External ASM (EASM) focuses on publicly exposed digital assets, whereas internal ASM addresses vulnerabilities inside the network. Internal ASM uses network exposure activity tools to simulate real-world attack techniques, often following frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, to identify weaknesses from the inside. These simulations test whether known attack methods bypass security controls, whether sensitive data can be exfiltrated, whether passwords are weak or compromised, and if lateral movement within the network is possible.
Combining internal and external ASM provides a more accurate view of your security posture, allowing organisations to close gaps before exploitation.
Making the business case for ASM
Cost is often a concern with ASM investments, but when weighed against the reputational and financial impact of a breach, or the risk of sensitive data appearing on the dark web, the case for prevention is clear.
The reality is simple. Without a combination of internal and external ASM, organisations remain essentially blind to vulnerabilities. The ability to identify, monitor, and remediate gaps before adversaries exploit them has become a business imperative.
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PalmPay launches USSD code in Nigeria, enabling millions to access financial services without internet, enhancing financial inclusion. (Image source: Palmpay)
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MTN South Africa partners with KnowRoaming to introduce the Travel eSIM, offering cost-effective data roaming across 150+ destinations worldwide. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
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By MTN South Sudan and NCA, launching eSIM technology for improved connectivity and customer experience in South Sudan’s telecom industry. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
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Airtel’s network currently reaches 89% of Kenya’s population. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
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MTN, Chenosis and TransUnion introduce data-driven tool for financial inclusion in SA
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WIOCC and TMCEL partner to expand high-capacity connectivity across Mozambique and Southern Africa via subsea, terrestrial routes
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Hayo strengthens African presence with offices in Botswana, Liberia, and Malawi to boost digital innovation
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Ericsson unveils advanced radios, antennas, and RAN Connect solutions to enhance programmability, efficiency, and sustainability in next-gen networks. (Image source: Ericsson)
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Siemon's new LightStack and LightStack 8 offer cutting-edge ultra-high-density fibre solutions for data centers and enterprise networks, available globally. (Image source: Siemon)
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For Ghanaian customers, this license means more efficient and secure money transfers across the country. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
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Brady has launched a dedicated online hub focused on Electrical Identification. (Image source: Brady)
Latest News
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Vertiv supports Paratus Namibia’s first private LTE and 5G network with resilient digital infrastructure solutions. (Image source: Vertiv)
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TOA, MTN strengthen Uganda’s digital infrastructure. (Image source: TOA)
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BNB Liberia and Orange Money launch cross-border remittance services to enhance digital financial inclusion across Africa.
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Standard Bank backs CANAL+ JSE debut
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Mastercard leadership reshuffle strengthens global customer focus
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New subsea cable route between France and Tunisia enters service, enhancing digital resilience and capacity.
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Yas, owned by AXIAN Telecom, advanced eleven places in the Financial Times Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2026 ranking.
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DE-CIX, Internet pour tous and UNITED S.A. have expanded ACIX into a second Kinshasa data centre to strengthen regional interconnection
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Uganda approves Starlink operations after signing licensing agreement to boost internet access and digital transformation. (Image source: Ministry of ICT & National Guidence)
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Apple launches Tap to Pay on iPhone in South Africa
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Via Africa submarine cable project aims to strengthen network resilience and connectivity diversity across West Africa
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Telecoming launches DCB Software South Africa to expand AI-driven digital services and telecom partnerships
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Brady Corporation unveils i4311 portable printer. (Image source: Brady Corporation)
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MTN Zambia brings 5G smart living home. (Image source: MTN Zambia)
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The Minister of Communication, Digital Economy, and Innovation, Mourana Soumah. (Image source: MCENI)
More Articles
Vertiv supports Paratus Namibia’s first private LTE and 5G network with resilient digital infrastructure solutions. (Image source: Vertiv)
TOA, MTN strengthen Uganda’s digital infrastructure. (Image source: TOA)
BNB Liberia and Orange Money launch cross-border remittance services to enhance digital financial inclusion across Africa.
Mastercard leadership reshuffle strengthens global customer focus
New subsea cable route between France and Tunisia enters service, enhancing digital resilience and capacity.
Yas, owned by AXIAN Telecom, advanced eleven places in the Financial Times Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2026 ranking.
DE-CIX, Internet pour tous and UNITED S.A. have expanded ACIX into a second Kinshasa data centre to strengthen regional interconnection
Uganda approves Starlink operations after signing licensing agreement to boost internet access and digital transformation. (Image source: Ministry of ICT & National Guidence)
Apple launches Tap to Pay on iPhone in South Africa
Via Africa submarine cable project aims to strengthen network resilience and connectivity diversity across West Africa
Telecoming launches DCB Software South Africa to expand AI-driven digital services and telecom partnerships
Brady Corporation unveils i4311 portable printer. (Image source: Brady Corporation)