Internet

Transforming Africa’s connectivity with advanced 5G solution

Digital map of Africa, concept of global network and connectivity

UnoTelos, a pioneering telecommunications company in Nigeria, has revealed an exciting strategic partnership with Niral Networks, a leading provider of Private 5G and Edge AI computing solutions from India

This partnership represents a significant step towards addressing Africa’s connectivity challenges and accelerating digital transformation across the continent.

Can connectivity evolve?

The collaboration between UnoTelos and Niral Networks is built on a shared vision to overcome the persistent infrastructure limitations that have traditionally impeded technological growth in Africa. By combining UnoTelos’ in-depth knowledge of the African market with Niral Networks’ state-of-the-art NiralOS 5G Core and Edge AI technologies, the partnership seeks to deliver secure, low-latency, and scalable connectivity solutions.

“This partnership is more than a technological alliance—it's about empowerment,” stated Jude Egbokwu, founder & CEO of UnoTelos. “We are not just solving connectivity problems; we’re creating opportunities for businesses to innovate, grow, and compete on a global stage.”

Abhijit Chaudhary, founder & CEO of Niral Networks, added, “Our collaboration with UnoTelos represents a pivotal moment in the digital transformation journey across Africa. By integrating Niral Networks' advanced Private 5G and Edge AI technologies with UnoTelos' profound system integration capabilities and market insights, we are not just deploying telecom infrastructure—we are engineering ecosystems for innovation. This partnership is strategically designed to address the continent’s most critical connectivity challenges, enabling industries from mining to oil & gas to leapfrog technological barriers and compete on a global scale.”

The partnership between UnoTelos and Niral Networks will initially focus on pilot projects across key sectors such as mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, shipping, ports, aviation, airports, and logistics. NiralOS’s modular Private 5G and Edge design allows for the customisation of solutions to meet the unique needs of each industry, ensuring efficient and targeted deployments.

By adopting NiralOS Private 5G and Edge, UnoTelos is positioning itself as a leader in telecommunications, providing Nigerian enterprises with advanced connectivity solutions that were previously unavailable or unaffordable. Key benefits of this technology include secure private networks, low-latency communication, scalable edge computing, and tailored industry-specific solutions.

The partnership is expected to drive digital transformation across industries, with applications such as smart factory solutions, remote operations, and IoT systems that can enhance operational efficiency and global competitiveness. Looking forward, UnoTelos and Niral Networks plan to expand deployments, develop more advanced solutions, and support emerging sectors like telemedicine and autonomous systems.

Nekemte goes digital with Safaricom

Wim Vanhelleputte, CEO of Safaricom Ethiopia, at the launch ceremony. (Image source: CIO Africa)

Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC has expanded its network to Nekemte City, taking another significant step in its mission to deliver reliable 4G connectivity across Ethiopia

This launch in western Ethiopia follows closely after its recent network deployment in the Somali Region.

Nekemte’s digital leap

The Nekemte expansion introduces 32 advanced towers and a strong fiber backbone, improving connectivity for local residents and businesses. Alongside the network rollout, Safaricom has launched M-PESA digital financial services in the region, aiming to drive economic opportunities. Additionally, five new distributor shops have already generated 250 jobs, bolstering the local economy.

“The expansion of our network to the vibrant city of Nekemte marks a crucial step in rolling out our services to Western Ethiopia. Following our extensive growth in East Ethiopia, Nekemte represents a new chapter in our mission of connecting all of Ethiopia. With our fast 4G connectivity and M-PESA digital financial services, we aim to empower residents and foster new opportunities in this region,” said Wim Vanhelleputte, CEO of Safaricom Ethiopia, during the launch ceremony.

As part of its community development efforts, Safaricom Ethiopia is donating 20 laptops and four Wi-Fi routers with six months of free unlimited internet to two high schools in Nekemte, a contribution valued at USD 8,041 (one million birr).

The Mayor of Nekemte, His Excellency Misganu Tulu, acknowledged the initiative’s positive impact, “Our community has faced telecom connectivity challenges over the past few years, which has hindered business and daily life. Safaricom Ethiopia’s presence will significantly improve access to reliable telecom services, creating a foundation for economic growth and new opportunities in Nekemte.”

Prior to Nekemte, Safaricom expanded its network to the Somali Region, bringing dependable coverage to towns like Gode, Kebridehar, and Degehabur. These advancements demonstrate the company’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and supporting communities throughout Ethiopia.

AMS-IX Lagos revolutionises connectivity

AMS-IX Lagos Internet Exchange West Africa Coverage

Transforming West Africa's connectivity landscape with AMS-IX Lagos, driving growth, efficiency, and digital inclusion across the region. (Image source: AMS-IX Lagos)

Equinix, Inc., a global leader in digital infrastructure, has reported a 200% increase in traffic within just over a year of its partnership with AMS-IX (Amsterdam Internet Exchange) in Lagos

Traffic volumes surged from 30Gbps to nearly 100Gbps, marking a significant milestone in the region's digital transformation.

The partnership has also reshaped traffic distribution on the exchange. While Nigeria previously dominated with 85% of the total traffic, regional contributions have now grown to 45%, showcasing the progress in fostering a robust and interconnected digital ecosystem across West Africa.

AMS-IX Lagos has prioritised attracting a variety of global and regional peers while introducing more content providers to the region. This effort has enhanced regional interconnectivity, spurred traffic growth, and simplified data flow by enabling ISPs, telecom carriers, and content providers to collaborate on a centralised platform.

The exchange’s expanding network includes prominent names like Zenlayer, Cedarview, China Telecom, AirtelTigo, Afribone, and Virtual Technologies and Solutions. Additionally, leading mobile operators and ISPs across West Africa have joined forces with global peers. Talitha Mensu-Bonsu, Packet Core and Backbone Network Engineer at AirtelTigo, shared: “Joining the exchange has unlocked tremendous value for our business by providing seamless access to content our customers demand.”

Jiri Prochazka, head of network infrastructure at CDN77, added, “Joining AMS-IX Lagos has enabled CDN77 to achieve a balanced and efficient network spread across West Africa.”

Oluwasayo Oshadami, director of solutions architecture for Equinix Nigeria, highlighted, “AMS-IX Lagos Internet exchange has transformed connectivity into a competitive advantage for operators in West Africa by reducing latency, cutting costs, and fostering a thriving digital ecosystem.”

Wouter Ensing, global business development manager at AMS-IX, remarked: “It is truly remarkable to witness the ecosystem's continuous growth monthly and the increasing value it brings to the region.”

As AMS-IX Lagos continues to expand its interconnection infrastructure, it aims to become the regional hub of choice for CDNs, NSPs, ISPs, and MNOs, further advancing digital transformation across West Africa.

Raxio achieves Tier III milestone

Raxio’s Mozambique and Ethiopia data centres achieve Uptime Institute’s Tier III Certification, ensuring top reliability and performance for African businesses. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Raxio Group, a leading provider of Tier III certified and carrier-neutral data centres in Africa, has announced that its facilities in Mozambique and Ethiopia have attained the esteemed Uptime Institute Tier III Certification of Constructed Facility (TCCF)

This achievement underscores Raxio’s dedication to delivering cutting-edge, dependable, and efficient data centre infrastructure across the continent.

The Tier III Facility Certification confirms that the construction of these data centres adheres to the rigorous standards set by the original Tier III Design Certification. Each facility has undergone extensive testing to ensure compliance with Uptime Institute’s stringent performance requirements, guaranteeing reliability and performance under various operational conditions.

Robert Saunders, Raxio Group’s chief technology officer, stated, “Achieving the Uptime Institute Tier III Facility Certification for our Mozambique and Ethiopia facilities is a significant milestone. It reassures our customers that these data centres are designed and constructed to meet the highest international standards. This guarantees operational resilience, reliability, and a robust environment to support their critical business operations. Our customers can confidently scale and innovate, knowing that their data is hosted in facilities that are built for peak performance and future growth.”

These certifications reflect Raxio Group’s commitment to addressing the rising demand for premium data centre infrastructure across Africa. By providing robust facilities, Raxio enables digital transformation, fosters economic progress, and offers sustainable solutions to businesses throughout the continent.

With Mozambique and Ethiopia now part of its growing network of Tier III-certified data centres, Raxio Group continues to reinforce its reputation for excellence, innovation, and a customer-focused approach in Africa’s evolving digital ecosystem.

Tizeti launches FreeFiber in West Africa

Digital image of global network with bright connections

Tizeti, a pioneering force in internet connectivity across West Africa, has introduced its FreeFiber broadband service in Nigeria and Ghana, redefining internet speed and accessibility in the region

The service, now available in Lagos, Port Harcourt (Nigeria), and Accra (Ghana), aims to expand to numerous cities within the next year. Offering ultra-fast speeds exceeding 1Gbps—far surpassing the regional average of 28Mbps—FreeFiber comes with free installation and a complimentary first-month subscription, marking a significant stride in narrowing the digital divide.

Affordable, reliable, transformative

With over a decade of experience in delivering solar-powered, unlimited internet across West Africa, Tizeti’s latest innovation aligns with its mission to provide affordable and dependable internet for millions across the continent. The new fiber service includes additional perks like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone numbers and free calls to countries with large African populations, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Portugal. This feature ensures users stay seamlessly connected with friends, family, and business associates worldwide.

Kendall Ananyi, Tizeti’s CEO, highlighted, “Fiber is the next generation of internet technology, offering unparalleled unlimited speed and reliability. With our advanced fiber infrastructure, we’re delivering speeds of over 1Gbps, which are 50 times faster than existing offerings and 10 times faster than 5G or LEO satellite services. This leap forward enables seamless streaming, ultra-fast downloads, and improved online interactions, providing users with a truly transformative internet experience.”

The launch also includes a referral program, allowing customers to enjoy free installation and subscription for five months by referring new users who lack access to Tizeti’s services. This approach not only accelerates Tizeti’s network expansion but also gives early adopters a chance to experience state-of-the-art connectivity at no cost.

Tizeti USA is also reintroducing its Teleport Services, offering users access to U.S. IP addresses and wallets. This package includes a U.S. phone number, credit card, and mailing address, enabling businesses to expand seamlessly into North and South American markets. These services support trade and financial interactions between West Africa and the United States, enhancing global connectivity for businesses.

Designed for gamers, the FreeFiber service also features a dedicated fiber port for ultra-low latency and unlimited bandwidth, ensuring a smooth gaming experience, even with multiple devices connected. This makes the service ideal for online gaming enthusiasts seeking optimal performance.

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