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Nokia research highlights rapid 5G adoption in MEA, with CSPs driving digital transformation and significant growth in 5G subscriptions by 2029. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Nokia's research indicates that 60% of Communications Service Providers (CSPs) in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) are turning to 5G to boost their digital transformation efforts

While 4G subscriptions are expected to level off by 2027, the uptake of 5G is poised for a substantial increase, marking a significant technological shift in the region.

According to Nokia's 2024 Mobile Broadband Index Report, the region's adoption of 5G is accelerating rapidly, with projections showing 5G subscriptions reaching 519 million by 2029. By then, 5G is expected to account for 48% of the region’s total data traffic.

How will 5G transform? 

5G is set to play a vital role in shaping the future of connectivity across the MEA region. By 2029, approximately 23% of all mobile subscriptions in the region will be 5G. This growth is particularly pronounced in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) area, where 5G is expected to comprise 90% of mobile subscriptions by 2029, driven by strong government investment in 5G infrastructure and support for advanced connectivity technologies.

The proliferation of 5G is not only increasing subscription numbers but also reshaping the data traffic landscape in the MEA region. By 2029, 5G and 4G networks are projected to account for more than 90% of the total data traffic, with the GCC region expected to see 90% of its data traffic handled through 5G networks alone.

Additionally, the adoption of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) using 5G is on the rise, projected to grow from 11% in 2022 to 38% by 2029. This growth is largely attributed to the demand for higher internet speeds and reduced latency, especially in remote or underserved areas.

Safaricom extends M-PESA Global to Ethiopia, enabling seamless mobile money transfers between Kenya and Ethiopia to boost regional economies. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Safaricom has expanded its M-PESA Global service to Ethiopia, enabling customers to conduct mobile money transactions between Kenya and Ethiopia

This move aims to boost mobile money usage and penetration in Ethiopia, stimulating local economies and creating new opportunities for both individuals and businesses in the region.

Esther Waititu, chief financial services officer of Safaricom Kenya, stated, “This collaboration resonates with our commitment to deliver innovative financial solutions that cater to the evolving needs of our customers. By making cross-border transfers more accessible, efficient and cost effective, we are empowering individuals and businesses across the region.”

Cross-border expansion

With this partnership, customers in Kenya can use M-PESA International Remittance to send money to those using M-PESA in Ethiopia, utilising their M-PESA wallets for the transactions.

During the signing ceremony, Elsa Muzzolini, chief financial services officer at Safaricom Ethiopia, remarked, “We are thrilled to work with M-PESA Kenya especially at a time of foreign exchange policy reforms made by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) that encourages a growing number of Ethiopian diaspora and business owners are embracing digital payments to send money to their loved ones and fund their operations.”

She further emphasised, “Our M-PESA Ethiopia customers should now be able to receive safe and affordable transfers from M-PESA Kenya thanks to this collaboration, which will further promote the region's adoption of digital payments. We look forward to a successful collaboration.”

The expansion of M-PESA Global into Ethiopia marks a crucial step in advancing financial integration across East Africa and fostering economic development. Key beneficiaries include Ethiopians residing and working in Kenya, as well as Kenyans in Ethiopia. Beyond Ethiopia, M-PESA users can send and receive money to over 190 countries, making it a preferred solution for both individual and corporate transactions.

Sofibanque enhances IT systems through colocation at OADC Texaf, boosting service delivery in DRC's digital landscape. (Image source: Open Access Data Centres)

Sofibanque has announced a significant upgrade and transformation of its IT systems to enhance service delivery and customer experience by colocating its equipment in a highly secure environment

The OADC Texaf – Kinshasa facility, boasting a 2MW capacity, has emerged as a cornerstone for the Democratic Republic of Congo's burgeoning digital ecosystem. It is on track to secure ISO27001 post-live certification, marking the first of several ISO certifications and demonstrating its commitment to the highest standards of security, operational excellence, and client satisfaction. This facility is particularly well-suited to meet the demanding needs of the banking sector and other corporations, providing a secure, reliable, scalable, and cost-effective infrastructure.

This initiative highlights Sofibanque’s dedication to advancing digital transformation in the DRC. A colocation data center like OADC Texaf – Kinshasa enables banks to modernise their IT operations, enhancing agility for customer acquisition and growth. By colocating their essential IT systems in a certified facility, financial institutions such as Sofibanque can enjoy improved physical security, sustained uptime, and compliance with international standards and national regulations, all vital for fostering the growing digital economy.

Partnering with OADC Texaf – Kinshasa allows Sofibanque to bolster its digital capabilities and reinforce its leadership position in the DRC’s banking sector. By utilising the premier colocation services available at OADC Texaf – Kinshasa, Sofibanque can provide superior service delivery to its expanding customer base while also realising cost savings compared to maintaining in-house data storage and management systems. With all leading carriers installed in OADC Texaf’s connectivity ecosystem, Sofibanque gains direct access to connectivity services, achieving efficient connectivity alongside cost efficiencies.

For OADC Texaf – Kinshasa, this collaboration represents a significant milestone, establishing the facility as a vital hub in Central Africa's financial infrastructure. As more banks follow Sofibanque’s lead, OADC Texaf – Kinshasa is poised to become a key player in the region’s digital transformation, promoting financial inclusion and innovation within the banking sector.

“This collective shift towards advanced infrastructure will play a critical role in the economic development of the DRC and neighbouring countries, fostering a more inclusive financial system and supporting broader socio-economic progress. We are proud to support Sofibanque in their journey towards digital transformation and look forward to welcoming other local and pan African banks,” said Mohammed Bouhelal, managing director of OADC Texaf Kinshasa.

Henry Wazne, managing director and CEO of Sofibanque, added, “Our decision to partner with OADC Texaf Digital – Kinshasa reflects our commitment to offering the best possible service to our customers. The facility’s advanced infrastructure will enhance the availability of our services, allowing us to meet the growing demands of the market and support our long-term digital strategy. This partnership is a key step in our journey towards a more robust and agile IT environment that supports both our customers and the broader financial ecosystem in the DRC.”

CMC Networks launches CMC Fusion, a platform enabling seamless network management across 51 African and 11 Middle Eastern countries. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

CMC Networks, a global Tier 1 service provider, has launched its CMC Fusion networking platform, extending its reach to 51 countries in Africa and 11 in the Middle East

This platform allows carriers, service providers, and enterprises to provision and manage network services across these regions from any location, making it easier for businesses to expand in dynamic markets.

CMC Fusion is a cloud-based solution that integrates various network services and analytics into a unified portal and marketplace. This includes MPLS, Carrier Ethernet, Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), multi-cloud connect, SD-WAN, service monitoring, assurance, security, and management. The platform is designed to be user-friendly and is built on Africa’s largest application-aware, AI-enabled, and software-defined network (SDN). It adheres to global industry standards for interoperability and compliance support.

Connecting Africa and Middle East

According to Marisa Trisolino, CEO at CMC Networks, “CMC Fusion is transforming what was once a complex, costly and fragmented market into one unified networking ecosystem. We are developing a platform that is making it easier than ever to do business across Africa and the Middle East.”

The platform delivers reliable and consistent performance for customers connecting across multiple countries and clouds in these regions. It consolidates information and analytics, enabling users to easily track orders, tickets, and services. Its 24/7 network monitoring ensures rapid detection and resolution of potential issues, allowing carriers, service providers, and enterprises to act swiftly and capitalise on new growth opportunities across markets.

Geoff Dornan, chief technical officer at CMC Networks, remarked, “In an increasingly cloud-centric world, we are removing the borders and barriers to growth in Africa and the Middle East and innovating to directly address on-the-ground challenges where we operate. We’re looking forward to making it even easier for our customers to grow their businesses across these regions.”

One of the offerings within CMC Fusion is CMC Cloud, which provides high-performance edge computing across Africa. This IaaS solution is designed to bring workloads closer to users, enhancing application and service performance without requiring investment in physical hardware. CMC Networks operates the largest pan-African network, serving 51 of Africa's 54 countries, along with 11 countries in the Middle East, and maintains regional hubs in key interconnection points across Europe, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region.