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Ethio telecom, ZTE advance network modernisation

Ethio telecom has reviewed the progress of its network expansion and modernisation programme with senior representatives from ZTE Corporation, as the two companies continue to work towards expanding Ethiopia’s digital infrastructure

Ethio telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru hosted a delegation from ZTE led by executive vice-president and chief operating officer Xie Junshi. Discussions focused on the implementation of the Network Expansion and Modernisation Agreement, which was finalised during Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona.

The engagement forms part of the companies’ wider efforts to support Ethio telecom’s Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028 Strategy and accelerate the development of the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.

Within the ZTE circle, the end-to-end modernisation programme covers 879 sites. Of these, 462 RAN modernisation sites have been completed, including LTE layering at 180 sites, LTE upgrades at 248 sites and a full SWAP at 102 sites.

The programme has also delivered 237 MW link upgrades and expanded 103 IP RAN sites. Work on the remaining elements is continuing, including the deployment of 124 new sites, U2100 refarming at 272 sites and 115 rural solution sites.

The completed rollout has helped extend high-speed mobile connectivity across Ethiopia, taking national 4G mobile population coverage within the ZTE circle to 92%. The upgraded infrastructure is expected to support increasing demand for digital services and provide improved connectivity for millions of people.

Frehiwot Tamru welcomed the progress achieved under the programme and highlighted its contribution towards the objectives set under the first year of the Next Horizon strategy. Ethio telecom’s leadership also recognised ZTE’s financing approach, technical capabilities and efforts to deliver the modernisation programme within demanding timelines.

The next stage of the programme is expected to continue with more ambitious targets. Ethio telecom’s CEO called on ZTE to maintain its support as the operator moves forward with further network expansion and modernisation.

The companies also discussed measures aimed at improving smartphone accessibility and helping narrow Ethiopia’s digital divide. Both sides agreed to explore innovative device financing solutions that could make affordable smartphones more accessible to consumers.

Increasing access to suitable devices is intended to help maximise the benefits of the expanded 4G network while supporting the growth of Ethiopia’s digital economy and society.

Sustainability was another focus of the discussions, with Ethio telecom and ZTE looking to accelerate the operator’s 'Green Operator' initiatives. The companies plan to collaborate on sustainable green energy infrastructure as part of efforts to lower the carbon footprint associated with telecommunications operations.

The green infrastructure initiative is intended to contribute to a more resilient and environmentally responsible network while supporting global environmental standards and Ethio telecom’s sustainability objectives.

At the conclusion of the engagement, ZTE’s COO praised Ethio telecom’s progress and its ambitious development strategy. He highlighted ZTE’s opportunity to support a major African telecommunications operator at significant scale.

Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their partnership, with a focus on supporting Ethiopia’s digital development, expanding connectivity and maintaining technological excellence.

Telna partners Bayobab to scale eSIM connectivity across Africa

Telna has entered into a strategic partnership with MTN Digital Infrastructure, the parent company of Bayobab, to support the rollout of travel eSIM services across several African markets

The collaboration combines Telna’s CONNECT platform with Bayobab’s IPX capabilities, giving operating companies the infrastructure and digital tools needed to introduce branded travel eSIM offerings through digital channels.

The partnership is intended to make the launch of new connectivity services more straightforward by bringing digital enablement and international connectivity together within a coordinated operating model. This approach is designed to help operating companies deploy services more efficiently while maintaining their individual brands and providing customers with a consistent experience across markets.

Under the arrangement, Telna’s CONNECT platform acts as the digital enablement layer for the travel eSIM services. Bayobab’s IPX services provide the international connectivity required to support eSIM activation and usage across participating markets.

The combined framework is designed to provide a scalable foundation for expansion into additional markets while supporting consistency in service delivery. The companies also see potential for the partnership to extend beyond travel eSIMs as digital connectivity requirements evolve.

The agreement addresses growing demand for cross-border connectivity by enabling operators to offer customers access to mobile services when travelling between markets.

“As demand for digital connectivity continues to grow across Africa, this partnership represents an important step in expanding access to innovative eSIM services. By combining Bayobab's connectivity capabilities with Telna's digital platform expertise, we are enabling operating companies to deliver seamless connectivity to customers across multiple markets,” shared Mohamed Bassit, chief communication platforms officer, Bayobab.

Gregory Gundelfinger, founder and CEO of Telna added, “Our collaboration with Bayobab extends its wholesale roaming business into the eSIM market, with Telna's managed eSIM travel offering making that move fast and straightforward. MNOs get a branded app webstore, marketing, and customer support, all ready to go, a simple wholesale path to sell eSIM access into travel apps and reach customers faster.”

Through the partnership, Telna and Bayobab aim to provide African operators with a scalable route to digital connectivity services, supporting both operators and customers as demand for flexible mobile connectivity grows across the continent.

Liquid deploys Taara Technology to strengthen enterprise connectivity across Lagos

Google’s Moonshot Factory and Taara, a provider of high-speed, high-capacity wireless optical communication solutions, have announced the continuation of their collaboration with Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a Cassava Technologies business and global technology company

The partnership is helping Liquid extend high-capacity connectivity from its points of presence at Africa Data Centres and other major data centre facilities in Nigeria to large enterprises located beyond the reach of fibre networks. The approach is particularly valuable in locations where conventional fibre deployment can be expensive, slow or difficult to implement, as well as in areas vulnerable to network disruptions caused by fibre cuts that can require days to repair.

During the past two years, Liquid has installed almost a dozen Taara links across Lagos. These deployments have enabled the company to provide high-speed connectivity to major local enterprises while strengthening network resilience in important commercial districts. Customers supported by the deployments include internet service providers, banks, hotels and a utility company.

Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest economies, with analysts reporting that its economy is growing faster in 2026 than during any of the previous five years. Lagos, the nation’s largest commercial centre and one of its fastest-growing business hubs, faces challenges in expanding telecommunications infrastructure because of its increasingly dense urban environment.

As enterprise demand for reliable connectivity rises, network operators are turning to a combination of technologies to expand coverage and create additional redundancy. Liquid is leveraging Taara’s wireless optical communication capabilities to extend connectivity into areas where conventional infrastructure can be more difficult to deploy.

Taara uses tightly directed beams of light to transmit data wirelessly, allowing operators to establish high-capacity connections in a significantly shorter timeframe than conventional fibre deployments. Links can be deployed within days rather than weeks, enabling faster customer connections while working alongside existing fibre infrastructure. Liquid is also assessing opportunities to extend the technology to other Nigerian markets, including Abuja, Ibadan and Kano.

“For Liquid, deployment speed has been one of the most significant advantages. Traditional fiber deployments aren’t always a possibility, especially across difficult terrains. Taara links can often be installed and activated within hours, allowing Liquid to ensure it is remaining true to its mission to create a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind,” said Eugene Uka, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria.

“As demand for connectivity continues to grow, operators need more flexibility in how they expand and reinforce their networks,” said Bhavesh Mistry, Regional Lead for Taara in Africa. “Fiber remains an essential part of modern communications infrastructure, and will for some time, but there are many situations where deploying fiber quickly or cost-effectively can be difficult. Wireless optical communication gives operators another tool to extend capacity, reach customers faster, and build more resilient networks without compromising performance.”

Taara Lightbridge provides an alternative between fibre infrastructure and conventional radio-frequency technologies. It can deliver capacity of up to 20 Gbps over distances reaching 20 kilometres through narrow, invisible light beams.

The technology allows network operators to establish high-capacity wireless links without the need for trenching, spectrum licensing or extensive civil engineering. This enables connectivity providers to address coverage gaps that could otherwise remain difficult or uneconomical to serve.

Taara Lightbridge has now been deployed across more than 20 countries by operators including T-Mobile, Airtel, Digicel, Liquid and SoftBank. Its deployments are supporting the expansion and reinforcement of network capacity across a range of environments, from densely populated cities and rural communities to remote and challenging locations.

Vodacom, UJ and AWS partner to equip students with practical AI skills through research, mentorship and cloud technologies

Vodacom has joined forces with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to strengthen artificial intelligence (AI) and data science capabilities in South Africa

The collaboration is designed to equip students with practical, industry-focused experience while helping address the country's increasing need for AI professionals with workplace-ready skills.

The initiative is being delivered through UJ's School of Consumer Intelligence and Information Systems, specifically its Centre for Applied Data Science. By combining academic expertise with industry knowledge and cloud technologies, the partnership will deliver jointly developed learning programmes, postgraduate research opportunities and mentorship from industry specialists. The objective is to create a long-term pipeline of skilled AI professionals capable of developing solutions that benefit both business and society.

“This partnership reflects Vodacom’s commitment to building a future-ready AI talent ecosystem,” said Shameel Joosub, Vodacom group CEO. “We are creating a direct pathway from university research to industry impact, where students work on real AI use cases and emerge ready to practise. It is about developing the next generation of AI professionals who can drive our business forward and help shape Africa’s digital future.”

Professor Tankiso Moloi, executive dean of the college of business and economics at UJ, says the collaboration highlights the long-term value of closer links between higher education and industry.

“For UJ, the value of university-industry partnerships lies in what they make possible over time: deeper research capacity, stronger talent development and an ecosystem that connects African expertise with African opportunities. This collaboration creates a foundation for sustained capability-building and demonstrates how strategic partnerships can strengthen AI expertise at both national and continental level,” said Professor Tankiso Moloi, executive dean, College of Business and Economics at UJ.

Research activities are already underway, with Master's students at the Centre for Applied Data Science working on projects aligned with Vodacom's priorities. One of the key areas of study focuses on autonomous AI systems that can identify, assess and respond to cyber threats affecting telecommunications networks.

Additional research is examining the use of blockchain technologies to enhance digital identity management and reduce the risk of identity theft. These projects are intended to address pressing digital challenges while helping develop advanced AI expertise in high-demand fields.

AWS is supporting the programme by giving students and researchers access to advanced cloud infrastructure, data platforms and AI services, including Amazon Bedrock, Amazon Quick and Amazon Kiro, which are widely used by organisations worldwide for research and innovation. Access to these technologies enables participants to develop, test and refine AI applications in real-world environments, helping accelerate research outcomes and practical innovation.

“At AWS, we believe access to technology is key to unlocking innovation. Through this collaboration, students and researchers will have access to world-class cloud and AI capabilities, empowering them to turn research into practical solutions that can drive meaningful impact across Africa,” commented Prabashni Naidoo, AWS Telco Lead: Africa.

Although the programme is initially centred on South Africa, the partners believe it could serve as a model for AI skills development across Vodacom Group's wider African operations while demonstrating the value of collaboration between academia and industry in advancing innovation at scale.