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This strategically designed route enhances Paratus’ regional infrastructure, providing exceptional reliability and low-latency connectivity across Southern Africa. (Image source: Paratus)

Paratus Group, a leading pan-African telecom company, has finalised its East-West Africa fiber route, delivering a fast and resilient connection from anywhere in southern Africa to anywhere globally

This first-of-its-kind coast-to-coast terrestrial route, developed using Paratus’ fiber infrastructure, provides a vital alternative link. Growing demand for this route has accelerated, driven by frequent and disruptive network outages.

Paratus Group CEO, Schalk Erasmus, explained, “This sea-change in imperatives has arisen due to breakages in certain subsea cable systems. Operators need a more reliable route and, with our new East-West route, by connecting to the Equiano subsea cable, we can assure customers a fast and robust alternative. Our East-West fiber route isn’t just a line on a map — it’s Africa’s digital lifeline.

Stretching from Maputo on Africa’s east coast, through Johannesburg and across Botswana and Namibia, the advanced terrestrial network reaches the Cable Landing Station in Swakopmund, Namibia, where Paratus is the Equiano Subsea Cable landing partner. This strategically designed route enhances Paratus’ regional infrastructure, providing exceptional reliability and low-latency connectivity across Southern Africa.

Paratus Group chief commercial officer, Martin Cox, highlights the network's unique blend of regional expertise and global access: “As a steadfast partner with pan-African expertise, we offer unequalled wholesale capacity solutions for network operators. Because we understand the unique connectivity needs of the various regions, we have tailored our solutions to specific requirements, and we offer carriers and operators not only a diverse East-West route but also onward transmission to Europe.

“Recent undersea cable cuts have shown the importance of robust alternatives and why we’ve built redundancy into every kilometre, ensuring Southern Africa stays connected, no matter what. This isn’t just about backup—it’s about uninterrupted operations and seamless communications. With Paratus, you’re partnering with innovators who are weaving resilience into Africa’s digital landscape.”

look at how Sub-Saharan operators address the mobile’s gaming trend and navigate the specific dynamics of this expanding market. (Image source: Dataxis)

Telecom giants across Africa are broadening their content portfolios, with mobile gaming emerging as a promising focus in the entertainment sector

Currently, an estimated 230 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are active gamers, predominantly from South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. Mobile phones lead the gaming scene, being far more accessible than costly consoles or PCs. As mobile devices and data plans become increasingly affordable, mobile gaming access continues to grow across the region.

Globally, mobile gaming generates about half of the gaming industry’s revenue, and in 2023, it accounted for over 55% of revenue for game publishers.

Leading regional players, including Vodacom and Telkom, are already launching products and initiatives to capture this growing market. They recognise the vast revenue and data consumption potential that mobile gaming offers.

From recent initiatives to long-term plans, Sub-Saharan telecom operators are embracing mobile gaming as they adapt to the unique dynamics of this expanding market.

Exploring the growth of Africa’s mobile gaming market

Globally, mobile gaming now accounts for half of the gaming industry’s total revenue. In 2023, game publishers saw over 55% of their earnings coming directly from the mobile segment, highlighting its dominance across the industry.

Google announces US$5.8mn investment to accelerate AI skills in Sub-Saharan Africa, empowering local talent and innovation. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Google has announced a significant commitment of US$5.8mn aimed at accelerating AI skilling initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa

This investment seeks to empower individuals and organisations to leverage artificial intelligence for economic growth and social impact.

In a recent statement, Matt Brittin, president of business & operations for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, emphasised the transformative potential of AI in driving economic development and addressing pressing challenges such as healthcare and climate change. According to Google's Digital Opportunity of Africa report, AI could contribute up to US$30bn to Sub-Saharan Africa's economy by 2030. However, to unlock this potential, the tech giant stresses the importance of equipping the workforce with essential AI skills and resources.

The announced funding will support a range of initiatives aimed at fostering a comprehensive understanding of AI across various sectors. Key focus areas include:

  • Empowering workers: Providing essential AI skills training to individuals across diverse industries.
  • Educating youth: Promoting awareness of AI safety and ethics among teenagers to ensure responsible use.
  • Supporting non-profits: Equipping leaders of non-profit organisations with foundational AI skills to enhance their impact.
  • Assisting the public sector: Enabling governments to develop and implement AI solutions for public services and policymaking.

Google highlighted examples of African innovators already utilising AI to address critical issues. One notable project is Jacaranda Health in Kenya, which uses AI to provide vital maternal and newborn health services in remote areas. Additionally, AirQo, a project led by Makerere University, combines AI and air monitoring technology to combat pollution across major African cities.

How is Google Innovating Africa?

Google's commitment to research and development is evident in its Google Research Africa centers located in Accra, Ghana, and Nairobi, Kenya. These centers focus on creating innovative AI solutions tailored to African challenges while contributing to global advancements. Projects such as Open Buildings, which employs AI to identify and map buildings across the continent, exemplify this focus.

Furthermore, Google is enhancing its presence in Africa with the establishment of a Product Development Center in Nairobi, dedicated to creating products tailored for the African market. This includes innovations in voice search and an HTML5 gaming platform that has already attracted one million daily active users.

Recognizing that collaboration is essential for realising Africa's AI potential, Google is actively partnering with governments, non-profits, educational institutions, and the private sector. In Nigeria, for example, the company is working with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to support AI talent development and empower local startups.

With this commitment, Google aims to unlock Africa's extraordinary potential in AI innovation, fostering an environment where technology can empower communities and drive meaningful change across the continent.

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