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Satellite partnership expands African connectivity

Internet

ST Engineering iDirect, a global provider of satellite communications technology, has entered into a strategic partnership with Q-KON, an African satellite engineering and service provider, to introduce Intuition Unbound across Africa

The collaboration is designed to reduce barriers for service providers and enterprises seeking access to advanced satellite ground infrastructure while accelerating the deployment of connectivity services.

Under the agreement, Q-KON will supply satellite capacity and operate teleport facilities in South Africa, while ST Engineering iDirect will deliver the Intuition Unbound platform, which offers flexible, scalable and secure satellite ground connectivity. The initiative aims to create a more competitive environment for connectivity services by enabling new market entrants and enterprises to access advanced infrastructure and develop differentiated services.

“This partnership is a game-changer for our customers and maps a way forward to deliver sustainable, competitive GEO satellite services,” said Dr Dawie de Wet, Group CEO of Q-KON. “Intuition Unbound enables us to deliver secure, flexible, and scalable solutions aligned with the evolving satcom landscape and the ever-increasing demands of the African market. It strengthens our ability to leverage the inherent advantages of global GEO platforms, helping businesses grow and deliver value in an increasingly connected world."

The Intuition Unbound platform integrates scalable infrastructure with advanced Virtual Network Operator capabilities and global bandwidth management technologies. Designed as an as-a-service solution, the platform allows organisations to access satellite ground connectivity without the large upfront capital expenditure typically associated with satellite infrastructure deployments.

Through the partnership, ST Engineering iDirect will also offer predictable pricing structures along with service-level agreement backed performance and enterprise-grade security and compliance standards.

“Intuition Unbound is more than a service model - it is a catalyst for industry transformation,” said Brian Jakins, senior vice-president global sales at ST Engineering iDirect. “By making advanced satellite technology accessible to smaller providers and emerging-market customers, we are unlocking innovation and growth where connectivity is essential. Our partnership with Q-KON represents a major step toward making premium satellite ground networks accessible to all.”

Deployment of the Intuition Unbound platform across Africa is expected to begin by mid-2026. Beyond the continent, ST Engineering iDirect plans to expand the service into additional international markets as part of its broader strategy to deliver flexible and scalable satellite ground connectivity worldwide.

Oluwamuyiwa Akinmejiwa explains how data sovereignty laws are reshaping digital infrastructure choices for West African banks

Internet

According to Oluwamuyiwa Akinmejiwa, end user business leader at Schneider Electric, West African banks are entering a pivotal phase in their digital transformation as stricter data sovereignty laws reshape how financial institutions manage and store sensitive data

Banks across the region are now faced with a critical infrastructure decision: whether to rely on cloud services, colocation facilities, or maintain traditional on-premises systems. As digital services expand, regulatory compliance, security and operational resilience are becoming central to technology strategies.

In countries such as Nigeria and Ghana, legislation including the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the Ghana Data Protection Act 2012 requires banks to ensure that sensitive financial data remains within national borders. These regulations have elevated data protection and compliance from operational considerations to strategic priorities for financial institutions.

As banks modernise their digital infrastructure, hyperscale cloud providers and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres often face challenges in meeting these strict regulatory expectations. Many large cloud platforms operate data centres outside the region or within frameworks that do not fully align with local compliance requirements, making adoption difficult for highly regulated banking environments.

Although cloud platforms offer flexibility and scalability, many banks in the region still favour on-premises systems or locally based colocation facilities. These options help institutions maintain stronger control over data residency and regulatory compliance.

However, both approaches come with limitations. On-premises infrastructure offers maximum control over systems and security policies, while colocation improves physical protection and operational reliability. At the same time, neither option removes the responsibility banks have for securing and managing their own data.

As data volumes grow and AI workloads become more demanding, banks must carefully manage these environments to ensure both performance and security.

Need for balance

For many institutions, the most practical solution lies in a hybrid approach. West African banks increasingly need a balanced mix of on-premises infrastructure, colocation facilities and compliant local cloud services, with each option chosen according to the sensitivity of the data and the regulatory framework governing it.

Hyperscale cloud providers and AI data centres often struggle to meet the compliance requirements of West African banks. In many cases they lack local data residency capabilities, depend on limited regional infrastructure or operate within fragmented regulatory environments.

Even with their advanced technology and global reach, many international providers have yet to deliver solutions that fully align with the expectations of regulators such as the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Data sovereignty, however, is only one aspect of the broader infrastructure challenge. Banks must also consider operational efficiency, cybersecurity risks, integration with legacy systems and the potential dependence on external vendors.

In reality, data sovereignty represents only a portion of the wider regulatory and technological landscape banks must navigate as they modernise their digital infrastructure.

Deciding factors

Local infrastructure capacity often becomes the determining factor in whether banks adopt cloud platforms or continue operating on-premises systems. Reliable electricity supply, high-quality internet connectivity and the availability of secure data-centre facilities all influence these decisions.

Even though cloud platforms provide scalability and efficiency, several large institutions, including Guaranty Trust Bank, FirstBank and Ecobank, still maintain critical systems locally. Hosting these systems on-premises helps ensure compliance with data sovereignty rules while maintaining security oversight and minimising latency for essential services.

In regions where infrastructure remains inconsistent, cloud adoption can become even more challenging. Unstable electricity or unreliable connectivity may push banks to rely on on-premises systems for mission-critical operations such as payments processing and financial trading platforms, despite the higher operational costs.

Data sovereignty and innovation

At the same time, major banks operating across Nigeria, Ghana and the wider West African region continue to pursue innovation. Many institutions are adopting a trust-by-design approach, embedding strong data-protection principles into every digital initiative.

This approach allows banks to deliver modern, customer-focused digital services while maintaining strict data-privacy standards.

By combining trust-by-design strategies, customer-centric digital services, collaboration with fintech partners and close alignment with regulators, West African banks can continue to innovate while protecting sensitive data and maintaining customer confidence.

Governments across the region have also become increasingly protective of strategic data assets. Sensitive financial or identity data stored outside national borders could expose countries to geopolitical risks, cybersecurity threats or other forms of digital vulnerability.

For this reason, regulators are strengthening data-sovereignty and data-residency requirements to ensure that critical information remains within domestic jurisdictions.

The growing investment by global infrastructure companies such as Equinix and Digital Realty in regional data-centre facilities reflects this shift, highlighting rising demand for secure, locally hosted digital infrastructure across West Africa’s evolving financial sector.

Africa’s rising digital talent opportunity

Commerce

According to Dr Jannie Zaaiman, secretary general of the Technology Information Confederation Africa (TICON Africa), the wave of global technology layoffs could present a strategic opportunity for Africa to strengthen its digital workforce

As companies in advanced economies restructure around artificial intelligence (AI), the continent faces a strategic decision. It can remain a consumer of external technology, or invest in developing a workforce capable of competing in the global digital economy.

Job reductions across the technology sector did not stop after the initial post-pandemic slowdown. Instead, layoffs have become a recurring feature as companies that expanded aggressively during the boom years pivot toward profitability and operational efficiency. Tight budgets and shifting priorities have pushed many firms to streamline operations. In early 2026, several major technology companies, including Amazon and Meta, continued to announce workforce reductions as part of this recalibration.

Executives increasingly cite AI and automation as factors enabling companies to operate with smaller teams. At Swedish fintech company Klarna, leadership has publicly stated that improvements in AI-driven efficiency are allowing the organisation to rely less on aggressive hiring, instead managing workforce changes through attrition and technological optimisation.

These developments have created a growing pool of highly skilled professionals including software engineers, data analysts, product managers and designers seeking new opportunities. Many are open to remote collaboration, contract work or advisory roles. For African technology ecosystems, this represents a potential advantage. If structured pathways exist, international experts could contribute mentorship, specialised knowledge and project support to emerging local teams.

Africa’s digital skills gap

Africa’s demographic profile provides a strong foundation for digital growth. More than 60% of the continent’s population is under the age of 25, making it the youngest region in the world. However, the education and training pipeline remains limited. A study conducted jointly by the African Union and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization found that only around 10% to 15% of young Africans currently have access to structured digital education. Even fewer, less than 5%, receive training in advanced disciplines such as programming, data analytics or cybersecurity.

At the same time, demand for digital capability is accelerating rapidly. According to projections from the World Bank, sub-Saharan Africa could generate approximately 230 million digital-related jobs by 2030 as digital services expand across sectors.

Research from the International Finance Corporation highlights that this demand will extend far beyond traditional technology roles. By 2030, some level of digital literacy will be required for at least half of all jobs in Kenya and between 35% and 45% of jobs in countries such as Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. In many cases, these will be non-technical positions where digital competence becomes a basic requirement rather than a specialised skill.

The pace at which workplace skills are evolving further underscores the urgency. The World Economic Forum, through its Future of Jobs analysis, suggests that employers expect major shifts in required skills within the next five years as technology adoption continues to accelerate globally. For Africa, the challenge is not only closing the existing skills gap but also building systems capable of continuously updating workforce capabilities.

A global talent opportunity

If layoffs in advanced economies represent a redistribution of global talent, Africa’s advantage lies in its scale and youth population. According to analysis in the Foresight Africa 2025–2030 initiative by the Brookings Institution, the continent could create as many as 650 million opportunities for digital training. This represents a potential market valued at approximately US$130 billion and could support the development of up to 230 million digital jobs.

At the same time, global workforce projections point to a major shortage of skilled labour. Consultancy Korn Ferry estimates that by 2030 the world could face a deficit of more than 85 million skilled workers. If these shortages remain unresolved, the resulting productivity gap could cost the global economy up to US$8.5 trillion annually. This imbalance creates a significant opportunity for Africa to become a key supplier of digital talent, provided investments in training and education accelerate.

Several initiatives already demonstrate what is possible. Google’s Digital Skills for Africa programme has reportedly trained more than 10 million people since its launch in 2017. In addition, continent-wide initiatives such as the Smart Africa Digital Academy aim to equip thousands of government officials and young professionals with digital competencies by 2026. The next challenge is scaling these efforts so that they produce not only certificates but also job-ready professionals with practical experience.

Moving toward a talent strategy

Rather than focusing solely on global technology layoffs, African policymakers and industry leaders should frame the conversation around talent development. Digital skills need to be treated as core infrastructure, alongside broadband connectivity, reliable electricity and efficient logistics systems. Training programmes must also align closely with labour market demand in areas such as software development, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and product management.

The economic rationale is clear. Research from the World Bank indicates that each additional year of schooling can increase hourly earnings by roughly 10%. When combined with digital capabilities, that impact can expand significantly by enabling participation in modern economic sectors including remote services, digital trade, fintech and AI-enabled productivity.

To capture this opportunity, several pathways need to be accelerated. Digital literacy and data skills should be integrated more deeply into secondary school education. Governments and industry should expand public-private bootcamps and apprenticeship programmes focused on measurable employment outcomes rather than simply enrolment figures. Greater inclusion is also essential, particularly by addressing barriers that prevent women and rural populations from accessing digital training.

In addition, structured remote-work frameworks could allow global experts to mentor African trainees while participating in local technology projects. This approach would convert international expertise into sustainable domestic capability.

Africa therefore has an opportunity to move beyond observing the global technology workforce reshuffle. By investing strategically in digital education and talent pipelines, the continent can position itself as a hub where the next generation of globally competitive digital professionals is trained, employed and connected to the wider world.

NEW interactive digital platform

Cassava Technologies and SAAIA join forces to boost AI development across Africa.

Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader with African heritage, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) to deliver advanced artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) across Africa

The strategic partnership aims to bolster AI development by giving SAAIA’s community of over 3,000 AI practitioners—including entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry professionals—access to Cassava’s state-of-the-art data centre GPU infrastructure. This will enable them to develop, test, and deploy AI applications that address local and regional challenges.

As part of the collaboration, Cassava Technologies and SAAIA will also work together on joint initiatives that support the broader African AI ecosystem, promoting innovation, research, and sustainable growth.

“We are proud to partner with SAAIA to support the growth of Africa’s AI ecosystem. By extending our advanced AI infrastructure and capabilities to SAAIA’s growing community of AI professionals, we’re enabling greater access to the compute power required to build, test, and scale innovative local solutions. We believe this partnership will deliver meaningful value to both organisations and, more importantly, to the business and research communities driving AI development on the continent,” said Ziaad Suleman, CEO of Cassava Technologies South Africa and Botswana.

SAAIA, a leading force in South Africa’s AI landscape, is dedicated to promoting responsible AI by connecting AI practitioners from academia, government, private enterprise, startups, and NGOs. It is also the organiser of AI Expo Africa, the continent’s largest AI-focused event, and plays a key role in driving investment in Africa’s smart technology sector.

“SAAIA is pleased to be partnering with Cassava Technologies in strengthening AI in South Africa. Supporting local AI entrepreneurs is a key pillar of SAAIA, and access to GPU-as-a-Service is a key enabler to growing the emerging AI startup ecosystem,” said SAAIA Founder and Chairman, Dr Nick Bradshaw.

The partnership underscores Cassava’s commitment to advancing digital transformation across Africa. It follows the company’s recent announcement of plans to build the continent’s first AI factory, a move aimed at providing local businesses, governments, and academic institutions with access to cutting-edge AI computing capabilities. This initiative aligns with Cassava’s vision of becoming the leading provider of digital solutions across its markets and empowering Africans to thrive in the digital economy.

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Internet

The satellite network will be integrated with the Yas core infrastructure across its markets

Internet

AXIAN Telecom has announced a partnership with AST SpaceMobile to deliver direct-to-device (D2D) space-based mobile broadband services across Africa, aiming to extend connectivity to remote and underserved regions

The collaboration will enable voice, video, data and internet connectivity to reach rural, maritime and aviation zones that terrestrial mobile networks often struggle to cover. AST SpaceMobile is currently developing what it describes as the first space-based cellular broadband network designed to work directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices.

At the core of the initiative are AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird low Earth orbit satellites, which are designed to provide 4G LTE and 5G broadband services directly to everyday smartphones without the need for additional hardware or specialised applications.

Under the agreement, the satellite network will be integrated with the Yas core infrastructure across its markets. This integration will allow users to access connectivity services seamlessly through their existing mobile devices. The partnership will also focus on developing commercial offerings for consumers, enterprises, Internet of Things applications, maritime and aviation services, as well as emergency response connectivity.

Within the collaboration, Yas will oversee local distribution, regulatory coordination and customer activation through what it describes as a one-click SpaceMobile service.

The initiative forms part of Yas’ broader Data4All strategy, which seeks to expand reliable network access for individuals and businesses across its markets. It is also expected to enhance communication resilience by maintaining connectivity for emergency response operations when terrestrial networks are disrupted.

Speaking on the partnership, Hassan Jaber, CEO of AXIAN Telecom, said, “Our ambition has always been to build a network that works for everyone in Africa, not just those in cities. Connectivity is the foundation on which everything else is built, and there are still too many people and businesses across our markets who are cut off from it. Partnering with AST SpaceMobile gives us the ability to close that gap in a way that was not possible before. Their technology is genuinely different: it works with the phones people already own, which means we can reach underserved communities without asking them to do anything differently. For Yas, this is the next step in making our pan-African network one that truly has no limits.”

Scott Wisniewski, president of AST SpaceMobile, added, “Africa is a critical part of the global connectivity landscape. Together with Yas, we are bringing space-based cellular broadband to people and communities beyond the reach of traditional infrastructure, directly to standard smartphones. This partnership advances our mission to connect the unconnected worldwide and extends the reach of our network across the African continent.”

The partnership will involve integrating AST SpaceMobile’s satellite network with Yas core systems, coordinating spectrum usage and securing regulatory approvals across Yas markets. Once approvals are in place, customers will be able to activate SpaceMobile services through a simplified one-click process.

The service will also be compatible with evolving 5G and IoT standards, supporting future connectivity requirements across the continent.

Satellite partnership expands African connectivity

Oluwamuyiwa Akinmejiwa explains how data sovereignty laws are reshaping digital infrastructure choices for West African banks

Mobile

Technological innovation remains fundamental to AMN’s approach

Mobile

SES and Africa Mobile Network (AMN) have significantly strengthened digital infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), extending support to more than 1,100 base stations and expanding population coverage by 27%

This growth is bringing mobile services within reach of millions more people, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

The expansion reflects strong demand for reliable connectivity as efforts to bring rural DRC online accelerate. For SES and AMN, the figures represent more than statistical progress. They mark the first-time access to mobile services for millions of individuals.

As part of the collaboration, AMN deployed 292 additional mobile base stations nationwide using satellite capacity from SES. These installations are delivering essential telecommunications services to over 5.8 million people.

Remarkably, the new sites were rolled out in just 90 days, though the statistics alone do not fully capture the scale of the accomplishment.

“Building nearly 300 sites in just three months, under some of the toughest conditions imaginable, is an extraordinary achievement,” said Michael Darcy, CEO of Africa Mobile Network. “This is what happens when determination meets purpose. This is exactly why AMN exists: to connect even the most remote communities sustainably, reliably, and at scale.”

At the core of AMN’s vision is the conviction that connectivity should be universally accessible.

Deployment teams often worked in extremely challenging environments, navigating impassable routes and manually transporting equipment across long distances when vehicles could go no further. Despite harsh and exhausting conditions, the teams succeeded in delivering mobile services to an additional 1.3 million people across remote communities in the DRC.

AMN maintains that it can deliver mobile connectivity to any community of more than 1,000 residents worldwide. Its partnership with SES is central to achieving this ambition. With fully solar-powered sites and VSAT backhaul, installations can operate independently of grid power and existing telecom infrastructure, enabling deployment even in the most isolated regions.

However, this autonomy comes with logistical complexities. Installation crews frequently travel to areas with no fibre access, electricity, or prior mobile coverage. In many cases, AMN engineers are the first to physically open access routes into disconnected regions while simultaneously working to eliminate digital isolation.

Technological innovation remains fundamental to AMN’s approach. The company developed the AMN Radio Node (ARN), a multi-technology platform allowing several carriers to operate from a single unit. The solution supports 2G, 3G, 4G and future 5G technologies without requiring additional capital investment or increased power usage. By designing and manufacturing the ARN internally, AMN has achieved high performance and energy efficiency while lowering deployment costs.

“Connecting to SES’ multi-orbit satellite network offers a multi-orbit constellation (GEO, MEO AND LEO) providing data connectivity services to over 1 billion people worldwide. This includes some of the most remote, unreachable parts of the globe. It is encouraging and inspiring to see how digital transformation profoundly reshaped daily life across the DRC has,” said Jean-Philippe Gillet, President of Fixed Data at SES.

Local communities are already experiencing tangible improvements.

“Before the installation, we had to travel across difficult terrain for about 30 km to seek medical help, make a call or to complete a simple bank transaction. Today thanks to AMN this has been replaced with a clear connection, providing our community with crystal clear connectivity and the ability to seamlessly manage our finances from the palm of our hand,” explained a local resident in Bompensole, a village connected in November 2025.

Reliable connectivity is also driving socio-economic transformation. Entrepreneurs can now access real-time market information and expand their businesses. Students are using digital tools to enhance learning outcomes, while healthcare providers can consult external specialists remotely, improving diagnostic accuracy and patient care across rural communities.

 
 

Bringing direct-to-cell satellite connectivity to 4G smartphones in no coverage areas

Digitally track and locate tools with Brady’s RFID solution. (Image source: Brady Corporation)

Satellite

Airtel Africa and Eutelsat OneWeb have achieved a milestone by successfully testing high-speed satellite internet on a moving train across sub-Saharan Africa

Satellite

In a major milestone for Africa’s digital and transport sectors, Airtel Africa has successfully tested satellite-powered internet on a moving train, marking a first for Sub-Saharan Africa

The trial demonstrated how uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity can be maintained over a 669 km railway route through dense forests and remote landscapes where fibre networks and cell towers are unavailable.

For years, railways have been a backbone of trade and travel across Africa, carrying millions of tonnes of goods and countless passengers. Yet, much of this vast network has remained disconnected from the digital world. Airtel’s latest achievement is set to change that reality.

Powered by Airtel Satellite for Business and Eutelsat OneWeb’s low-earth orbit satellite network, the test provided a stable connection throughout most of the journey, even through challenging terrain. Download speeds reached up to 100 Mbps, while uploads averaged 20 Mbps, meeting all the performance targets for the trial.

Connectivity remained smooth and consistent along nearly the entire route, with low latency and minimal interruptions, confirming the technology’s potential for real-world deployment.

This breakthrough opens the door to a new era in African railway connectivity. For operators, constant internet access enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and improved safety. For passengers, it promises reliable Wi-Fi, digital ticketing, real-time travel information, and onboard entertainment, transforming the travel experience.

Following this successful trial, Airtel and Eutelsat OneWeb plan to expand Airtel Satellite for Business services across Nigeria, Zambia, Gabon, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, extending high-speed internet access to some of the continent’s most remote areas.

From mining operations and oil fields to moving trains, this accomplishment demonstrates how satellite connectivity is redefining the limits of Africa’s digital landscape, bringing reliable internet to places where traditional infrastructure cannot reach.

Orange Tunisie rolls out satellite broadband in Tunisia

This initiative utilises the Tianqi Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to deliver advanced industrial connectivity across multiple sectors

Commerce

African telecoms and financial companies join global leaders on WorkL’s 2026 World’s Happiest Workplaces list.

Commerce

Several African telecommunications and financial services companies have earned global recognition after being named among the World’s Happiest Workplaces 2026, published by employee experience platform WorkL

According to a recently released report by WorkL, the rankings draw on anonymous feedback from over one million employees across more than 120,000 organisations worldwide. Companies that score 70 or above in WorkL's 'Happy at Work Test' qualify for inclusion.

Africa’s telecommunications sector was particularly well represented, with Kenya’s Safaricom featuring alongside major global operators. South Africa also emerged strongly, with MTN Group, MTN South Africa and Vodacom South Africa all included in the telecommunications and publishing category. Beyond telecoms, Standard Bank was recognised in the financial services category, reinforcing South Africa’s reputation for workplace cultures that prioritise employee wellbeing, engagement and purpose.

Their inclusion places African companies alongside global industry leaders such as AT&T, Telefónica, Tata Communications, Disney and ING Bank, underlining the continent’s ability to compete on workplace satisfaction as well as commercial performance.

Measuring workplace happiness

WorkL’s World’s Happiest Workplaces rankings are based on its Happy at Work Test, a free and anonymous survey that takes employees less than ten minutes to complete. The assessment measures six areas that influence workplace happiness: wellbeing, job satisfaction, reward and recognition, information sharing, empowerment and instilling pride. The final list can be filtered by country, industry and category.

According to WorkL, organisations recognised on the list typically report higher productivity, lower staff turnover and reduced absenteeism.

Commenting on the 2026 results, WorkL founder Lord Mark Price said, "I’m delighted to publish the World’s Happiest Workplaces 2026 List today. Organisations who are recognised report higher productivity, lower staff turnover and lower sick leave as a result of employees being happier."

"Our research shows that nearly 50% of people are unhappy, anxious or depressed at work. It’s our mission to make the world’s workplaces happier, and it starts with acknowledging the ones who are doing a good job."

Africa’s rising digital talent opportunity

The pilot supports cross border intra African payments for individuals, merchants and traders

Power

Mozambique’s energy sector to receive a boost from the African Development Bank following the institution’s participation in Maputo at the Africa50 summit

Power

Mozambique’s energy sector is to receive a boost from the African Development Bank (AfDB) following the institution’s participation in Maputo at the Africa50 shareholders meeting

Africa50 is an investment platform established by African governments with the AfDB, which has now surpassed US$1.4bn in managed assets directed at infrastructure provision.

At the 2025 summit, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM) for the development of three transmission lines under an Independent Power Transmission (IPT) framework.

“This will help support the government’s ambition to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 and become a significant exporter of power across the Southern African Development Community,” a statement released by AfDB noted.

Finalisation of the project development agreements is now underway for three lines under an IPT framework, partnering with Power Grid and EDM, it added.

A separate MoU was also signed with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation to build a new data centre facility in Maputo and to modernise the existing one.

Africa50’s Mozambique portfolio already includes equity investment in the 175MW Central Termica de Ressano Garcia (CTRG) gas-fired power plant.

According to Dr Akinwumi Adesina, president of the AfDB Group, investments by Africa50 complement broader support from the bank itself that have delivered some US$1.6bn to Mozambique over the past decade.

This investment includes US$400mn in senior debt financing for the country's flagship US$20bn liquified natural gas (LNG) project in Cabo Delgado, as well as the US$34mn Mozambique Energy for All Project, which has connected more than 45,500 households to electricity.

The bank claims its energy sector investments have helped to double Mozambique's national energy access rate from 30% in 2018 to 60% in 2024.

The AfDB has also supported agricultural transformation through special agro-industrial processing zones, including the Pemba-Lichinga corridor, while financing critical transport infrastructure along the Nacala and Beira corridors that enhance regional trade connectivity for the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Earlier this year, the AfDB approved US$43.6mn in funding for the construction of the Namaacha-Boane transmission line and related electricity infrastructure

EDM will implement the project in partnership with Central Eléctrica da Namaacha (CEN), a private sector-led development group involving Globeleq Africa Limited and Source Energia that is building the 120 MW Namaacha wind farm in the southwestern part of the country. 

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)

International Power Control Systems (IPCS) has been named as a distribution partner in Malawi by Vertiv, a specialist in critical digital infrastructure

Security

ASM strategies to protect digital assets

Security

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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