American Tower Corporation’s African subsidiary (ATC Africa) and PowerX have announced a strategic partnership that will bring the significant efficiency and environmental benefits of PowerX’s artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to Africa’s telecommunications industry by optimising energy usage at tower sites
OneWeb has announced the signing of a distribution partnership agreement with Airtel Africa, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services across Africa
CMC Networks, a global Tier 1 service provider, has launched IP Premier, a high-performance dedicated internet access (DIA) solution designed to accelerate the adoption of SD-WAN across Africa
To improve access to quality broadband internet and data hosting services for homes and businesses in Africa, IFC has expanded its relationship with West Indian Ocean Cable Company Holding Ltd (WIOCC Group), a leading digital connectivity and infrastructure provider in Africa, with US$30mn equity investment
Renewable energy services provider, Starsight Energy, and South African-based solar firm, SolarAfrica Energy, has announced their merger agreement, combining their strengths to become one of the continent’s leading solar players with a genuine Pan-African footprint to provide competitive, full-service renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions to the C&I sector
The merger, which is subject to standard regulatory approvals including anti-trust approvals, comes at an opportune time following favourable changes in South African renewable energy regulations. The merger will create the first truly Pan-African renewable energy services provider, amidst a global drive towards greener and cleaner energy sources, which is well positioned to serve an even wider range of clients with a comprehensive mix of renewable energy solutions that provides power security, cost savings and carbon reduction. The merged entity will comprise a portfolio of over 220MW of operated and contracted generation capacity, and 40MWh of operational battery storage, with an additional generation pipeline exceeding 1GW.
Alongside the merger, funds managed by AIIM have committed substantial further funding to the South African subsidiary of the merged entity, to progress the build-out of the contracted pipeline in the C&I wheeling market in South Africa, providing energy security and certainty of pricing to large C&I customers.
Starsight Energy was founded in 2015 and is backed by Helios and AIIM, a member of Old Mutual Alternative Investments. It offers reliable and sustainable energy and cooling solutions – on- and off-grid – to the C&I sectors, with market leading operations in East and West Africa with over 656 sites in Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana.
Founded in 2011, SolarAfrica has built up extensive experience in delivering state-of-the-art energy solutions through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to businesses across Southern Africa. It has evolved from a specialist provider of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems to a full-service provider of capex-free, green energy solutions ranging from solar and battery storage options through to wheeling and electricity trading to the C&I market.
SolarAfrica has already positioned itself as a competitive player in the newly enabled power wheeling space, having recently signed up large blue chip customers. The group is now well positioned to service large power users with a lower cost electricity alternative from a recently developed centralised solar generation site, taking advantage of South Africa’s newly revised regulations permitting wheeling and self-generation of up to 100MW by private generators. In 2021, SolarAfrica was named the continent’s leading solar energy firm, scooping the Africa Solar Industry Association’s African Solar Company of the Year award.
Tony Carr, Starsight Energy’s group CEO, explained, “This merger demonstrates our joint commitment to expand our footprint across Africa. With SolarAfrica, the new combined group becomes one of the largest commercial providers of reliable and clean energy solutions to the commercial and industrial sector across the continent.”
“The merger will enable efficiencies across the group, ranging from procurement to funding, and further allow for the rollout of our proprietary technology platform across the continent. These efficiencies will assist the group in providing a unique and valuable offering, that takes customers on a green energy journey to solve their power struggles and enables a sustainable future for their businesses,” says David McDonald, SolarAfrica Energy co-founder and CEO.
The newly formed entity will comprise of 340 staff across multiple jurisdictions and create a combined shareholder group providing financial capacity to deliver renewable energy services across Africa.
Looking ahead, the two parties believe that their combined expertise, along with SolarAfrica’s energy solutions software platform, which enables its sales teams to customise energy proposals and produce accurate savings projections, will not only position the group as Africa’s leading provider of green energy solutions to commercial and industrial power users, but will also accelerate Africa’s transition towards a greater renewable energy mix.
OADC Texaf Digital - Kinshasa, a 2MW open-access, Tier-III data centre, boosts DRC's digital ecosystem with carrier-neutral, sustainable infrastructure. (Image source: Open Access Data Centres)
Eutelsat Group has a fleet of 35 GEO satellites and a constellation of more than 600 LEO satellites. (Image source: OneWeb)
The introduction of Network One in Nigeria aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive for in-country transaction routing, boosting local processing capabilities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Angola Cables Network traffic climbs to record peak. (Image source: Angola Cables)
For Ghanaian customers, this license means more efficient and secure money transfers across the country. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Qualcomm empowers African tech startups with mentorship. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
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)
iXAfrica Data Centres and Moringa School launch Kenya’s first comprehensive Data Protection course. (Image source: iX Africa)
Airtel Africa launches Nxtra Data Center in Lagos, advancing data sovereignty and connectivity for businesses, governments, and large corporations across Africa. (Image source: Airtel Africa)
The development will enable mobile service providers to deliver 5G services to their subscribers. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Africa Data Centres & DPA SA pioneer solar farm for sustainable data solutions in South Africa. (Image source: African Data Centres)
C-CONNECT launches in South Africa, offering prepaid users rewards for airtime and data top-ups, along with easy SIM delivery and RICA processes. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Vodacom Business partners with local governments to transform South African cities through innovative digital solutions. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
KaiOS partners with Mastercard to enable SMEs in emerging markets to accept digital payments via affordable KaiOS-powered devices, starting in Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Raxio Group launches Tier III data center in Abidjan, fueling Côte d'Ivoire's digital transformation and connectivity. (Image source: Raxio Group)
Eutelsat OneWeb trains local partners in Africa to accelerate the rollout of its LEO satellite network, boosting high-speed internet access. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Siemon expands optical patching solutions for NVIDIA AI infrastructure, enhancing GPU cluster performance with structured cabling expertise. (Image source: Siemon)
Vodafone and Intelsat partner to deliver expanded satellite connectivity for enterprises, governments, and charities in remote and disaster-affected areas. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
PalmPay launches USSD code in Nigeria, enabling millions to access financial services without internet, enhancing financial inclusion. (Image source: Palmpay)
Safaricom partners with Mastercard to boost payment acceptance and cross-border remittances in Kenya, benefiting 636,000+ M-PESA merchants. (Image source: Mastercard)
CTM360 and AfricaCERT unite to enhance cybersecurity across Africa through strategic assessments and collaboration. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The OADC Texaf – Kinshasa facility, with a 2MW capacity, sets a new standard as a cornerstone of the DRC’s growing digital ecosystem. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Huawei supports African TowerCos with sustainable energy solutions and diversification strategies for telecom infrastructure. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
MTN South Africa and ZTE deploy Africa's first 5G ultra-range maritime coverage in Mossel Bay, boosting connectivity, tourism, and local fishing. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
BeammWave’s world-first demo of distributed digital beamforming reshapes 5G and beyond, proving a groundbreaking solution for mmWave tech. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Nokia and iSAT Africa partner to transform rural Liberia with cutting-edge network tech, bridging the digital divide for underserved communities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
EAC and IGAD to launch EARDIP, a World Bank-backed initiative to improve digital connectivity, cybersecurity, and integration across Eastern Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Vodacom Business partners with local governments to transform South African cities through innovative digital solutions. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
KaiOS partners with Mastercard to enable SMEs in emerging markets to accept digital payments via affordable KaiOS-powered devices, starting in Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Raxio Group launches Tier III data center in Abidjan, fueling Côte d'Ivoire's digital transformation and connectivity. (Image source: Raxio Group)
Eutelsat OneWeb trains local partners in Africa to accelerate the rollout of its LEO satellite network, boosting high-speed internet access. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Siemon expands optical patching solutions for NVIDIA AI infrastructure, enhancing GPU cluster performance with structured cabling expertise. (Image source: Siemon)
Vodafone and Intelsat partner to deliver expanded satellite connectivity for enterprises, governments, and charities in remote and disaster-affected areas. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
PalmPay launches USSD code in Nigeria, enabling millions to access financial services without internet, enhancing financial inclusion. (Image source: Palmpay)
Safaricom partners with Mastercard to boost payment acceptance and cross-border remittances in Kenya, benefiting 636,000+ M-PESA merchants. (Image source: Mastercard)
CTM360 and AfricaCERT unite to enhance cybersecurity across Africa through strategic assessments and collaboration. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The OADC Texaf – Kinshasa facility, with a 2MW capacity, sets a new standard as a cornerstone of the DRC’s growing digital ecosystem. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Huawei supports African TowerCos with sustainable energy solutions and diversification strategies for telecom infrastructure. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
MTN South Africa and ZTE deploy Africa's first 5G ultra-range maritime coverage in Mossel Bay, boosting connectivity, tourism, and local fishing. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
