AXIAN Telecom strengthens disaster response efforts by signing the GSMA Humanitarian Connectivity Charter. (Image source: AXIAN Telecom)

AXIAN Telecom, a leading pan-African telecommunications group, has officially signed the GSMA Humanitarian Connectivity Charter (HCC). Established in 2015, the HCC strengthens Mobile Network Operators’ (MNOs) ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies such as natural disasters

By joining this initiative, AXIAN Telecom brings its MNOs—now unified under the Yas brand in Tanzania, Madagascar, Comoros, Senegal, and Togo—into a collaborative effort to enhance disaster resilience.

The HCC’s core principles focus on ensuring communities affected by crises have access to reliable connectivity while setting industry-wide best practices for preparedness and emergency response. It emphasises the importance of timely information sharing to benefit both affected populations and humanitarian organizations.

In alignment with this commitment, AXIAN Telecom, through Yas in Madagascar, is working with GSMA to implement an Early Warning System (EWS) designed to improve disaster response. The system is built on four key components: data collection, risk assessment, hazard monitoring, and issuing alerts—helping to strengthen national and community-level preparedness.

Following the impact of Cyclone Chido on Mayotte on 14 December, AXIAN Telecom swiftly mobilised to support affected communities. The company’s relief initiatives included restoring mobile infrastructure, offering free communication between Comoros and Mayotte via Yas Comoros, and collaborating with Free-Groupe Iliad and Télécoms Sans Frontières to coordinate aid efforts. These actions reinforce AXIAN Telecom’s dedication to humanitarian connectivity across its operational regions.

AXIAN Telecom CEO Hassan Jaber commented, “For many years, people have been affected by disasters, with the Cyclone Chido serving as a stark reminder of the devastating toll these events can take on communities. AXIAN Telecom is deeply remorseful for the hardship the people of Mayotte continue to endure and remains committed to supporting our communities. We are determined to leverage technology for good and help our communities be better prepared for such unfortunate events. While the initiative is less than a decade old, we commend the progress made so far and are excited to once again collaborate with GSMA, beginning with EWS4ALL. This project will be pivotal, particularly in our East African and Indian ocean-based regions, which are highly vulnerable to natural disasters.”

Kimberly Brown, head of Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation at GSMA, added, “Connectivity is a lifeline for emergency-affected populations, the GSMA’s Humanitarian Connectivity Charter fosters industry-wide cooperation in times of crisis, and we are pleased to welcome AXIAN Telecom as a signatory. Mobile network operators continue to play a critical role in humanitarian preparedness, response, and recovery, harnessing mobile technology to support communities in need. AXIAN Telecom’s efforts in Madagascar, including the development of an Early Warning System, exemplify this commitment – ensuring communities are better equipped to anticipate and mitigate disasters. This is a valuable contribution to the Early Warnings for All initiative.”

Also read: AXIAN expands digital access with AfDB Loan

AXIAN Telecom Secures $160M AfDB loan to boost 4G, 5G, financial inclusion. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The African Development Bank has approved a US$160mn senior corporate loan to help AXIAN Telecom expand digital connectivity and financial inclusion across nine African nations

This funding will accelerate the upgrade and expansion of AXIAN Telecom’s network infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on 4G and 5G deployment, while also fostering digital innovation and enabling the company’s expansion into new markets.

Headquartered in Mauritius, AXIAN Telecom currently serves 42.9 million mobile subscribers, 11.4 million data users, and 15.2 million mobile financial service customers, reinforcing its position as a key player in Africa’s digital transformation.

A major component of the investment is reducing gender disparities in financial services. Over US$10mn will be allocated to supporting 22,000 women entrepreneurs in Madagascar via AXIAN’s Mvola platform. Additionally, a US$2.5mn grant will enhance financial literacy and improve credit access for 34,000 women-led businesses across Madagascar, Tanzania, and Senegal, empowering them to scale and enter the formal economy.

Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Solomon Quaynor, vice-president for Private Sector, Infrastructure, and Industrialization at the African Development Bank, stated, “This investment reflects the African Development Bank's commitment to driving Africa’s digital transformation and fostering inclusive growth. By supporting AXIAN Telecom's growth plan, we are bridging the digital divide, creating opportunities for millions across the continent, and fostering innovation.”

Quaynor emphasised that the Bank’s support is part of a broader collaboration to advance financial inclusion—particularly for women—accelerate progress, and promote sustainable development. He added, “Together, we are building the infrastructure and ecosystems that will enable Africa to thrive in the digital age.”

AXIAN Telecom CEO, Hassan Jaber, welcomed the partnership, remarked, “We are honoured to partner with an organisation that shares our vision of advancing Africa's digital economy. The funding from the African Development Bank not only underscores the immense digital potential of the continent but also highlights the critical role of collaboration in driving sustainable development.”

Jaber highlighted that the funding will enhance AXIAN Telecom’s ongoing efforts to expand affordable internet access and develop innovative solutions to close the digital divide. He also noted that the investment aligns with the recent rebranding of the company’s mobile operations under the Yas brand. 

“Yas represents our commitment to empowering a young, dynamic, and digitally connected population, embracing every opportunity with a resounding 'YES.' Together, this collaboration will help drive meaningful change across Africa’s digital landscape, furthering our shared mission of digital and financial inclusion,” he added.

The partnership aligns with the African Development Bank’s “Hi-5” strategic priorities, particularly "Industrialize Africa" and "Integrate Africa," which aim to enhance connectivity, promote cross-border digital services, and expand financial inclusion.

Digital skills drive Zambia’s job growth by empowering youth with training, entrepreneurship, and new career opportunities.(Adobe Stock)

As digital technologies transform industries and reshape daily life, the demand for skilled workers in Zambia’s evolving digital economy is rising

This shift presents a significant opportunity for the country’s youth at a time when over 10% are unemployed, aligning with the implementation of Zambia’s National Development Plan 2022-2026.

According to Bernard Banda, director of Economic Regulation at the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), digital skills have become essential in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. Speaking to ITC, he emphasized that businesses must enhance their services, introduce new offerings, and hire workers with the right expertise. “This has also extended to the need for cybersecurity of embedded e-commerce systems or digital services,” he added.

Recognizing the potential for youth entrepreneurship and rural economic growth, the National Development Plan highlights digital capacity-building as a key strategy for economic transformation. In response, ITC partnered with the Women’s Entrepreneurship Access Center and ZICTA to train 175 individuals in Lusaka and Livingstone. The programme equipped them with knowledge in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and social media, enhancing their freelancing capabilities.

Of the participants, nearly half were women, and over 60 have already established profiles on freelancer platforms. Additionally, 43 have reported securing new work opportunities due to the training.

“The We’Digit training programme gave me the confidence to complete my e-commerce website, as I was able to apply the knowledge I gained from the training,” said Mercy Chewetu Mukupa, founder and CEO of Queen of Chitenge Fashion Ltd. She aims to use her platform to onboard other designers and generate advertising revenue.

Livingstone-based freelancer Clive Lusana credited the programme for helping her integrate artificial intelligence tools into digital content creation. “The DIY model really helped me take responsibility over my own future,” she said.

This initiative is part of ITC’s broader efforts to bridge Zambia’s digital divide and unlock new business opportunities. Through its Fast Tracking Digital Entrepreneurship in Africa programme—supported by the Government of the Netherlands—ITC has trained numerous tech hubs, start-ups, and digital entrepreneurs in cutting-edge skills and tools.

Under FastTrackTech Switch ON, ITC has also connected Zambian entrepreneurs with global opportunities by facilitating their participation in major events such as the 2023 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and Web Summit in Lisbon. These networking efforts have helped professionals like Muchu Kaingu, chief technology officer of microfinance firm Lupiya, build international partnerships.

Lupiya has since secured US$8.25mn in Series A financing, attributing its success to ITC’s support through FastTrackTech Switch ON. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to make Zambian fintech start-ups investment-ready, enabling them to connect with investors at key events like Investor Days in Lusaka.

Moving forward, ITC and its partners will focus on expanding digital connectivity in urban and rural areas, making internet access more affordable and reliable. Other priorities include developing virtual e-commerce marketplaces and assisting MSMEs in adopting online payment systems.

Zambia serves as a pilot country for similar initiatives across Africa and beyond, all contributing to ITC’s ambitious ‘digital moonshot’ within its 2022-2025 strategic plan.

Kazang Pay expands in Zambia

Network International collaborates with GIM-UEMOA to enhance financial inclusion through innovative digital payment solutions in West Africa. (Image source: Network International)

Network International, a prominent payment solutions provider in the Middle East and Africa, has announced a new partnership with GIM-UEMOA, the regional payment scheme promoting electronic payments in West Africa

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) aims to foster innovation and improve financial inclusion across the eight member countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

This strategic collaboration is set to introduce advanced digital payment solutions within the GIM-Pay framework, leveraging the strengths of both organizations. The initiative will provide secure, seamless, and easily accessible payment systems designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses and consumers in the region.

The partnership will not only support the financial needs of individuals in the UEMOA region but will also enhance the offerings of GIM-UEMOA’s member banks. By adopting these cutting-edge digital payment solutions, these banks will be better positioned to serve their customers and contribute to the region's broader goals of economic growth and financial inclusion.

“Partnering with GIM-UEMOA represents a significant milestone for Network International. Together, we aim to harness our combined expertise to empower the UEMOA region with state-of-the-art payment solutions that drive economic inclusion and prosperity,” stated Dr Reda Helal, managing director & co-head of processing, Africa at Network International.

Minayegnan Coulibaly, managing director of GIM-UEMOA, added, “This collaboration with Network International allows for the pooling of infrastructure and solutions to bring cutting-edge digital payment solutions to the West African banking sector. We look forward to the benefits that will be realised for financial services entities throughout the region.”

Through this partnership, both organizations emphasize their shared commitment to innovation and collaboration within the financial technology sector of West Africa. The initiative highlights the significance of partnerships in addressing the unique financial and economic challenges of the UEMOA region.