This initiative aims to link the Southern European Data Gateway with Atlantic Africa via a 24-fiber pair submarine cable system. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

AFR-IX Telecom, a leading telecom and infrastructure operator in Africa, has received new funding from the European Commission to advance the MEDUSA AFRICA Submarine Cable System under the CEF Digital programme

This investment represents a major step in strengthening digital connectivity between Europe and Africa, fostering economic growth and technological advancements across the region.

Expanding the Medusa Submarine Cable into West Africa

Originally designed to improve intercontinental connectivity across the Mediterranean, the Medusa Submarine Cable System will now extend deeper into West Africa. This expansion enhances interconnection between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, easing potential network congestion as demand for connectivity surges. Additionally, it will provide improved redundancy and greater resilience for critical digital infrastructure.

A strategic investment in Africa’s digital future

The European Commission, through its Backbone Connectivity for Digital Global Gateways programme (CEF – DIG 2023 – GATEWAYS), has awarded a €14.3 million (approx. US$15.5mn) grant to the MEDUSA AFRICA project. This initiative aims to link the Southern European Data Gateway with Atlantic Africa via a 24-fiber pair submarine cable system.

The project will lay the foundation for a dedicated African connectivity subsystem within the Medusa network. This includes conducting a marine survey for a Branching Unit extending to the Democratic Republic of Congo and exploring potential branching routes along the West African coastline.

EU’s commitment to strengthening global digital connectivity

MEDUSA AFRICA is one of 21 projects selected for funding in the third round of the CEF Digital programme. Another AFR-IX Telecom initiative, ATMED Malta – DG, which integrates Malta into the Medusa network, has been awarded €3.7 million (approx. US$4mn) in funding.

These grants are part of the European Commission’s €420 million (approx. US$455mn) investment in digital infrastructure, with €142 million (approx. US$154mn) specifically allocated to submarine cable projects.

Experts at Kampala workshop push for unified roaming, regulatory alignment, and infrastructure investments to enhance Africa’s digital integration. (Image source: East African Comunity )

Telecommunications leaders from across Africa gathered in Kampala, Uganda, for a Knowledge Exchange and Stakeholder Engagement Workshop focused on the One Africa Network (OAN) and the EAC One Network Area (ONA)

This workshop was a major step toward creating a harmonised telecommunications framework across Africa. Hosted jointly by Smart Africa and the EAC Secretariat, the event brought together policymakers, regulators, mobile network operators (MNOs), and development partners to address key regulatory and implementation challenges hindering Africa’s digital integration.

The OAN and ONA initiatives are designed to make cross-border communication more affordable by eliminating excessive roaming fees, standardising regulations, and promoting intergovernmental cooperation. These efforts aim to accelerate regional integration, boost economic development, and expand digital access for African citizens.

Smart Africa’s senior director of strategy and growth, Didier Nkurikiyimfura, commented, “I take this opportunity to reaffirm Smart Africa’s commitment to fostering an interconnected digital economy on the continent as we strive to attain the ambitions of the Heads of State from Smart Africa’s 40 member countries to accelerate digital integration across the continent.”

Representing the EAC secretary general, Veronica Nduva, the EAC principal information technology officer, Daniel Murenzi, highlighted the region’s progress toward affordable connectivity.

Seamless connectivity unlocked

“In 2015, the EAC Heads of State directed the implementation of a ‘One Network Area’ (ONA), essentially eliminating roaming charges and establishing uniform calling rates within the region. This directive aimed to facilitate increased connectivity and economic activity across the EAC bloc. Today, six (6) out of eight (8) EAC Partner States have adopted aspects of the ONA, significantly lowering roaming costs, with efforts ongoing to include the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia,” said Murenzi.

“The EAC remains committed to digital integration and strengthening collaboration with Smart Africa and other partners as we work towards a Single Digital Market, ensuring affordable communication across Africa,” added Murenzi.

To further advance digital integration, the EAC is working through the World Bank-funded Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) to develop regulatory frameworks that will expand and finalise ONA implementation.

A strong and reliable network infrastructure is essential for seamless roaming, but disparities in telecommunications investment across countries pose challenges. Some regions lack adequate mobile towers, fibre-optic networks, or sufficient capacity for cross-border connectivity. Addressing these gaps requires significant financial investment, which can be difficult for resource-limited nations.

Additionally, ensuring interoperability between different networks and operators is crucial for an efficient roaming experience. The workshop identified the need for increased investment, regional cooperation, and supportive policies to improve infrastructure development and ensure reliable connectivity.

Creating a unified roaming system also requires collaboration between multiple governments and service providers. One of the major hurdles is aligning policies and technical standards across different countries. Variations in existing regulations, economic conditions, and telecommunications policies make it difficult to establish a single, streamlined framework that benefits both consumers and service providers.

Moreover, differences in national telecommunications regulations can create additional barriers to seamless roaming. Some countries impose high taxes or strict policies that complicate foreign operator service provision. Achieving regulatory alignment across multiple nations requires extensive negotiations and cooperation among governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders. A well-structured regulatory framework is critical for ensuring fair competition, consumer protection, and smooth cross-border connectivity.

Pricing for roaming services remains a key concern. While consumers often face high costs when using mobile networks outside their home countries, service providers must also maintain financial viability. Striking the right balance between affordability for users and sustainable revenue for operators is essential.

The workshop also addressed critical aspects of a unified roaming system, including SIM boxing fraud prevention, regional interconnection gateways, inter-operator settlement mechanisms, dispute resolution, fraud management, and the development of a structured international roaming implementation strategy.

By aligning regional efforts with broader continental digital integration goals and fostering data-driven policy discussions, the event marked a crucial step forward. Consensus was reached on refining regional roaming frameworks using existing structures, paving the way for a more inclusive, sustainable, and forward-looking African telecommunications ecosystem.

Paratus Group partners with Green Telecom to launch Paratus Tanzania, boosting East African connectivity for tourism, mining, and enterprise sectors. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Pan-African telecommunications provider Paratus Group has officially launched Paratus Tanzania through a joint venture with Tanzanian-based Green Telecom

This expansion comes just four months after the group established Paratus Kenya, reinforcing its commitment to growing its presence in East Africa and strengthening its sub-equatorial expansion strategy.

According to Martin Cox, chief commercial officer of Paratus Group, the move represents a significant milestone for the company and a major boost for businesses in Tanzania that require reliable, high-quality connectivity solutions.

"Having secured the necessary regulatory licenses, we are delighted to be partnering with Green Telecom and to launch Paratus Tanzania. With professional technical engineering teams on the ground across the entire country, Paratus Tanzania can take full advantage of the opportunities to reach rural and under-served areas with excellent connectivity and backup solutions," stated Cox. 

Connecting Tanzania’s future?

Paratus Tanzania will focus on providing connectivity services to various industries, with a strong emphasis on the booming tourism sector, which saw visitor numbers grow by 25% in the past year. Other key sectors targeted include mining, NGOs, healthcare, and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The venture is also expected to create numerous new job opportunities over the next year.

"With this JV, we will be targeting many sectors, including tourism. Tanzania is currently experiencing a tourism boom – in the last year, for example, tourism numbers rose by around 25% – so for this sector alone, there are huge opportunities. Other sectors, including mining, NGOs, the health sector and the EACOP (East African Crude Oil Pipeline), will also be our targets. More good news is that we will be creating many new jobs over the next year," remarked Said Alli, managing director, Paratus Tanzania. 

Founded in 2013, Green Telecom initially focused on providing technology solutions for mobile network operators (MNOs) before expanding into connectivity and telecom network services, offering customised solutions to manage and integrate clients’ network needs.

With the addition of Tanzania to its growing footprint, Paratus Group strengthens its network services across the continent. The company’s vision is to provide fast, reliable, and scalable connectivity solutions for enterprises in Africa and beyond.

"By opening in another key East African territory, Paratus strengthens its total network service offering. We can tailor network services for any enterprise requiring a fast, robust and reliable connection in Africa and to the rest of the world. The Paratus Group is at the heart of Africa’s digital revolution, driving and reshaping connectivity across the continent. As we connect more and more people in Africa, we are giving them the service and the support they need to realise their individual and collective potential," concluded Cox. 

Also read: Enhancing Algeria’s ICT services for a brighter future

Airtel Africa pledges to train 25,000 Nigerian youth in digital skills and offers 10 tech scholarships, supporting the country’s digital transformation. (Image source: Airtel Africa)

Airtel Africa, a major telecommunications and mobile money services provider operating in 14 African countries, has pledged to train 25,000 Nigerian youth in digital and technology skills across 80 local government areas

This initiative falls under the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, a presidential mandate aimed at equipping young Nigerians with essential digital expertise.

Empowering Nigeria's youth

Additionally, Airtel Africa has announced 10 scholarships for Nigerian students to pursue technology-focused courses at Plaksha University in India through the Airtel Africa Fellowship. Managed by the Airtel Africa Foundation, these scholarships aim to bridge the technology talent gap and support Nigeria’s goal of becoming a global tech hub.

The commitments were unveiled during a meeting between Airtel Africa chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, KBE, and CEO, Sunil Taldar, with Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. Discussions also covered Airtel Africa’s continued investments in Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital economy.

Sunil Bharti Mittal stated, "Nigeria remains a strategic market for Airtel Africa, and we are fully committed to support the government’s digital transformation agenda. Through initiatives like the Airtel Africa Fellowship and our investment in 3MTT, we are ensuring that the youth of Nigeria have access to world-class education and digital skills. We commend President Tinubu’s vision for a technologically advanced Nigeria and are committed to play our part in making that vision a reality.”

Airtel Africa also highlighted its ongoing efforts through the Airtel-UNICEF Reimagine Education Programme, which has already integrated 1,260 schools and over 600,000 students into digital learning platforms like the Nigerian Learning Passport (NLP).

The company reaffirmed its commitment to network expansion, service quality, and financial inclusion. It also welcomed the designation of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), recognising its importance in securing and enhancing Nigeria’s digital framework.

Sunil Taldar emphasised Airtel Africa’s dedication to Nigeria’s digital future, "Airtel is deeply invested in Nigeria’s digital future. We are expanding our network, driving financial inclusion, and creating opportunities for the people of Nigeria through technology and innovation. Our collaboration with the government through initiatives like the Airtel Africa Fellowship and 3MTT ensures that Nigeria remains at the forefront of Africa’s digital revolution.”

Airtel Africa remains steadfast in its collaboration with the Nigerian government and key stakeholders to enhance connectivity, develop digital skills, and drive financial inclusion—strengthening Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s digital economy.