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Vodacom and Orange collaborate to build solar-powered towers in DRC, expanding telecom services to 19 million underserved people. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Orange and Vodacom have announced a partnership to create Africa's first rural towerco collaboration

Together, they will build, own, and operate solar-powered mobile base stations in underserved regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aimed at extending network coverage and providing access to telecommunications and mobile financial services for up to 19 million people in rural areas. This initiative reflects their shared goal of bridging the digital divide and fostering inclusive growth across the continent.

Expanding networks, especially in remote rural areas, has been a major challenge in the DRC. To address this, the companies have committed to constructing up to 2,000 solar-powered base stations over six years, utilising 2G and 4G technologies. The partnership begins with a plan for 1,000 towers, with the option to expand by an additional 1,000. The project is subject to approval from regulatory, administrative, and competition authorities.

This partnership will not only improve coverage but will also provide local consumers with access to voice, data, and mobile money services. The first base station is expected to be operational by 2025, with both Orange and Vodacom sharing the active and passive infrastructure for an initial term of 20 years. Additionally, the venture will offer its passive infrastructure to any interested MNOs, further expanding its reach.

“We have the opportunity to make a significant impact on Africa's socio-economic development by building a digital society,”commented  Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom Group. “Our partnership with Orange is a crucial step towards providing mobile coverage in previously underserved areas in the DRC.”

Orange Middle East and Africa CEO, Jérôme Hénique, added, “Our deep market knowledge and collaboration with Vodacom will enable us to accelerate connectivity access, especially in rural areas, while reducing our environmental impact.”

With mobile internet penetration in the DRC at 32.3%, the announcement aligns with the country’s National Digital Plan Horizon 2025, which aims to enhance public services, economic growth, and digital access. This initiative is expected to promote e-citizenship, e-government, and e-commerce, fostering job creation and increasing GDP.

Orange RDC, a subsidiary of the Orange Group, has been a key player in the DRC's digital landscape for over 12 years. The company has been instrumental in expanding connectivity, offering fiber and launching new technologies. Through initiatives like the Orange Digital Center & Clubs, which offer free digital training, Orange RDC continues to support the economic and social development of the DRC.

Spirion expands global presence with new data center in South Africa, supporting compliance and data protection. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Spirion LLC, a global leader in data discovery, classification, and remediation, has announced the launch of its first data centre in South Africa

This marks the third international expansion in just five months, aimed at supporting customers transitioning to Spirion’s SaaS platform. Located in Cape Town, the new data centre will assist customers in adhering to national data sovereignty laws, such as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), while using Spirion’s solutions to discover, classify, and remediate every byte of unknown data for smooth compliance.

This new facility is designed to meet the rising demand from the local market, offering South African companies advanced tools to safeguard their most sensitive data. It adds to the recent openings of Spirion’s international data centres in Frankfurt, Germany (September 2024), and Sydney, Australia (October 2024).

“We’re thrilled to open our third global data centre in just a few months. Protecting what matters most—sensitive data—requires accurate data discovery and classification. Spirion now offers this critical capability for any sensitive data-related initiative, regardless of industry and geographic location. As we expand globally, Spirion remains focused on prioritising customer requirements while also providing support for the myriads of country-specific data regulations,” said Spirion CEO, Kevin Coppins.

As data usage continues to grow, Spirion is enhancing its performance to help enterprises manage their data more efficiently. The company recently unveiled significant upgrades to its Sensitive Data Platform (SDP), which now offers improved visibility and control over critical business data, thanks to an upgraded scanner node architecture capable of analysing data at a petabyte scale.

Huawei and Emirates Esports Federation unite to drive innovation, support local talent, and enhance mobile gaming in the region. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

HUAWEI AppGallery and the Emirates Esports Federation (EESF) have partnered, aiming to foster innovation and growth within the esports and mobile gaming sectors across the region

The partnership will combine Huawei’s technological prowess and global reach with EESF’s expertise in esports governance and advocacy. Together, they will focus on nurturing local talent, creating new opportunities for gamers and developers, and further positioning esports as both a cultural and economic powerhouse in the region.

William Hu, managing director of Huawei consumer business group, Middle East and Africa Eco Development and Operation, commented, “Collaborating with the Emirates Esports Federation represents a major step forward in realising our vision for the future of esports and mobile gaming. Together, we are creating a platform that not only drives innovation but also fosters an environment where gamers and developers can thrive. The UAE’s rapidly evolving gaming ecosystem makes it an ideal hub for shaping the future of esports.”

Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Bin Shakhboot Al Nahyan, president of the Emirates Esports Federation, added, “This partnership with HUAWEI AppGallery represents a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen the esports and gaming ecosystem in the UAE and beyond. By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to create new opportunities for innovation, talent development, and global collaboration within this dynamic industry.”

The agreement focuses on the joint effort to bolster the esports and mobile gaming sectors, with HUAWEI AppGallery and EESF collaborating on cutting-edge tournaments and campaigns. The Emirates Esports Federation will provide government support and professional player assistance for AppGallery Gamers Cup (AGC) tournaments in the UAE. The partnership also emphasises the growth and promotion of mobile games available on Huawei’s AppGallery platform.

This robust partnership highlights Huawei and the Emirates Esports Federation’s shared dedication to driving esports as an engine of innovation and economic development in the UAE and beyond, setting the stage for a promising future in the global gaming industry.

This partnership highlights Safaricom M-PESA’s dedication to expanding digital financial inclusion in Ethiopia. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Safaricom M-PESA has entered into a strategic partnership with Nyala Insurance, integrating the insurer into the M-PESA ecosystem

This collaboration enables Nyala Insurance customers to use M-PESA for premium payments, policy renewals, and other transactions, offering a secure and efficient mobile payment solution.

Through this initiative, customers will benefit from faster, more accessible insurance payment options, driving the adoption of mobile financial services across Ethiopia. Nyala Insurance will leverage the M-PESA platform to accept real-time payments, broadening its reach, streamlining processes, and providing clients with greater flexibility.

Elsa Muzzolini, chief digital financial services officer at Safaricom M-PESA, remarked, “This partnership underscores our commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s digital economy by providing businesses like Nyala Insurance with the digital tools they need to connect with customers in a more efficient way and enables mobile payments to be more accessible, convenient and time saving.”

Echoing this sentiment, Ato Tegegn Masresha, chief customer officer at Nyala Insurance, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with Safaricom M-PESA, a leader in digital financial services in Kenya with a promising foothold in Ethiopia. This collaboration allows us to deliver unparalleled convenience to our customers, enabling them to access our services seamlessly and securely through M-PESA. By leveraging this partnership, we are reinforcing our commitment to innovation and enhancing customer satisfaction by making insurance transactions simpler and more efficient.”

This partnership highlights Safaricom M-PESA’s dedication to expanding digital financial inclusion in Ethiopia. By collaborating with local businesses, it continues to support the country’s digital transformation, ensuring tailored solutions that empower Ethiopian consumers and businesses to thrive in the digital economy.

Safaricom Ethiopia expands network to Assosa, introducing M-PESA and donating laptops and routers to schools, enhancing connectivity and education. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Safaricom Ethiopia has extended its network to Assosa, marking a significant step in its mission to deliver reliable and high-quality connectivity across Ethiopia

In the past two weeks, the company has launched services in several key cities in Western Ethiopia, including Nekemte, Gambella, Metu, and Bedele. The Assosa launch further strengthens its presence in the region. Since starting operations in Ethiopia over two years ago, Safaricom has achieved remarkable network coverage, now reaching 50% of the Ethiopian population across Central, Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western areas.

The rollout of M-PESA digital financial solutions in these areas will provide residents with secure, convenient, and cost-effective ways to manage financial transactions. This initiative reflects Safaricom’s broader mission to support social and economic growth through technological advancement.

To give back to the community, Safaricom has donated 80 laptops, 16 routers, and six months of free unlimited internet to schools in Assosa, Nekemte, Gambella, Metu, and Bedele. This initiative highlights the company’s dedication to combining network expansion with impactful community projects.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to local leaders and government officials, whose support has been instrumental in making these launches possible. Safaricom Ethiopia remains committed to connecting people and fostering development across Ethiopia,” the company stated in its press release.

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