REA and NCC form joint committee to boost rural power and digital access

In a significant move toward bridging Nigeria’s rural energy and digital divide, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have officially inaugurated a joint strategy and steering committee

This initiative follows extensive consultations and strategic alignment between both agencies and marks a new chapter in collaborative infrastructure development.

The core objective of the partnership is to address the intertwined challenges of limited electricity access and poor digital connectivity in Nigeria’s underserved and unserved communities. These twin gaps have long stifled socioeconomic progress, limiting access to education, healthcare, financial inclusion and broader opportunities for rural populations.

By leveraging REA’s proven track record in delivering sustainable energy solutions and NCC’s mandate to expand telecommunications reach, the initiative seeks to deploy integrated infrastructure that can simultaneously provide power and digital access. This approach aims to accelerate the delivery of modern services in rural areas, creating a strong foundation for inclusive development.

“Whether it is powering a base station or enabling a child to access digital learning, this partnership has the potential to transform realities and bring opportunity closer to the people,” commented executive vice-president and CEO of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida. “This initiative is about more than infrastructure, it is about driving inclusion, bridging inequalities, and creating the conditions for shared prosperity.”

This joint initiative not only promotes synergy between two critical government agencies but also sets a new benchmark for integrated infrastructure planning in Nigeria. It is a forward-thinking effort that recognises the need for holistic solutions in transforming rural communities and advancing national prosperity.

Also read: Paratus launches EduLINK for schools

Vodacom Business deploys mobile private network to enhance Sasol’s Secunda operations

Vodacom Business has successfully deployed a Mobile Private Network (MPN) at Sasol’s synthetic fuel facility in Secunda, Mpumalanga 

This partnership represents a significant step forward in using next-generation connectivity to drive greater operational efficiency and digital transformation in heavy industry.

Victor Bester, Sasol’s executive vice-president of operations and projects, explained, “As part of Sasol's digitalisation journey, there is a focus on utilising technology to improve processes that impact safety and efficiency across our facilities. This initiative allows us to accelerate these efforts through improved connectivity and control of the mobile network deployed at our Secunda production facility. Our collaboration with Vodacom Business creates opportunities for us to do things differently and grow our digital maturity. We look forward to the positive impact this advanced connectivity solution will have on our operations.”

Vodacom’s MPN is designed to offer tailored, secure, and high-performance mobile network access – critical for large-scale, high-stakes environments like Sasol’s. Peter Malebye, managing executive at Vodacom Business, said, “Our MPN solution provides a dedicated, secure, and high-performance mobile network tailored to meet the specific needs of Sasol's operations. It delivers the scalability and reliability required to ensure continuity for its mission-and business-critical applications.”

According to Malebye, this level of connectivity enables far more than just smoother communication. “When all of this comes together, an organisation can ultimately bring in other innovations, such as digital twins or enable remote and autonomous operations to improve planning,” he added.

Instead of using Wi-Fi to connect around 3,000 staff across Sasol’s vast facility—which would require an enormous and costly infrastructure rollout—the MPN creates a smarter, more streamlined solution. By integrating Vodacom’s network with Sasol’s internal systems, the site now benefits from better-connected employees, equipment, and assets.

This shift not only enhances real-time monitoring but also boosts safety and compliance, enables more effective asset management, improves team collaboration, and sharpens overall operational performance. Crucially, MPNs deliver consistent coverage in areas where public mobile networks may be patchy or completely unavailable.

Unlike public mobile networks, an MPN provides exclusive access, meaning the network can be fine-tuned for specific operational needs. These networks offer increased control, robust security, and ultra-low latency.

What’s more, data processed via the MPN stays entirely on-site—an essential feature for mission-critical operations like Sasol’s, where high uptime and minimal latency are non-negotiable.

“While MPNs are becoming increasingly relevant in a South African context, they are not yet as widespread as traditional public mobile networks,” Malebye noted. “Vodacom Business has been a pioneer in developing tailored MPN offerings for our clients in the southern African region. When Sasol turned to us to embark on this digital journey, it was a privilege for us to walk alongside them and provide them with solutions they needed to transform their operations while making a positive impact on our country's industrial sector.”

Paratus unveils Starlink-powered solution to boost digital learning in remote African schools

Paratus, a leading pan-African telecommunications provider and authorised Starlink reseller, has launched Paratus EduLINK, a dedicated connectivity solution aimed at transforming internet access in schools located in remote and underserved areas

Under the banner “Empowering Education, Anywhere,” the new initiative harnesses Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology to ensure that geographic isolation is no longer a barrier to digital learning.

The EduLINK offering is currently available in seven countries—Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia—and is tailored exclusively for schools that hold a recognised Education Certificate. Each EduLINK package includes 2TB of Priority Data per month, along with an additional data buffer to maintain smooth and uninterrupted access to digital education platforms, video conferencing, and other online learning tools.

Installation of the Standard Starlink Kit, which is sold separately, is carried out by Paratus’ local teams, ensuring professional setup, on-the-ground support, customer service and flexible payment solutions within each country.

Paratus has been actively supporting digital education for almost seven years through its collaboration with Eduvision in Namibia. By deploying GEO satellite infrastructure and offering continued technical assistance, Paratus has helped over 12,000 learners and 471 teachers across Namibia access real-time, interactive online learning experiences. The long-term impact has been significant, with measurable improvements in learner participation, comprehension and academic outcomes. This proven success forms the foundation for the broader rollout of EduLINK across multiple African nations.

“Paratus EduLINK is not just about connectivity, it’s about creating equal access to education,” commented Barney Harmse, executive chairman of Paratus Group. “We’re proud to bridge the digital divide for thousands of learners who deserve the same opportunities as anyone else, no matter how remote their location.”

The service takes full advantage of Starlink’s satellite constellation, which delivers high-bandwidth, low-latency internet even in areas where traditional infrastructure is either limited or non-existent. Through EduLINK, schools can unlock a range of digital education opportunities, including online lessons, teacher training, digital assessments and collaborative learning projects—ultimately promoting inclusive education and long-term academic advancement across the continent.