Safaricom Ethiopia expands network to Assosa, introducing M-PESA and donating laptops and routers to schools, enhancing connectivity and education. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Safaricom Ethiopia has extended its network to Assosa, marking a significant step in its mission to deliver reliable and high-quality connectivity across Ethiopia

In the past two weeks, the company has launched services in several key cities in Western Ethiopia, including Nekemte, Gambella, Metu, and Bedele. The Assosa launch further strengthens its presence in the region. Since starting operations in Ethiopia over two years ago, Safaricom has achieved remarkable network coverage, now reaching 50% of the Ethiopian population across Central, Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western areas.

The rollout of M-PESA digital financial solutions in these areas will provide residents with secure, convenient, and cost-effective ways to manage financial transactions. This initiative reflects Safaricom’s broader mission to support social and economic growth through technological advancement.

To give back to the community, Safaricom has donated 80 laptops, 16 routers, and six months of free unlimited internet to schools in Assosa, Nekemte, Gambella, Metu, and Bedele. This initiative highlights the company’s dedication to combining network expansion with impactful community projects.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to local leaders and government officials, whose support has been instrumental in making these launches possible. Safaricom Ethiopia remains committed to connecting people and fostering development across Ethiopia,” the company stated in its press release.

Revolutionising network installations, Siemon unveils bundled fibre trunks, combining performance, durability, and ease for faster project delivery. (Image source: Siemon)

Siemon, a leading provider of network infrastructure solutions, has introduced its innovative bundled fibre trunks

These trunks are specifically engineered to simplify fibre optic network installations, offering a cost-efficient and dependable solution that significantly reduces deployment time.

By combining high-performance fibre cables into a single, manageable bundle, these trunks enhance pathway utilisation and enable up to 50% faster installations. This advancement helps organisations cut down on project costs and accelerate time-to-market.

“Siemon bundled fibre trunks are a game-changer for network installations,” stated Tony Walker, Siemon fibre product marketing manager. “By simplifying the process and reducing installation time, we are empowering our customers to achieve their project goals more efficiently and effectively.”

Built with exceptional performance comparable to single-jacket fibre, the trunks also feature durable construction for reliable use. They are available in various configurations to suit diverse project needs.

The collaboration between UnoTelos and Niral Networks is built on a shared vision to overcome the persistent infrastructure limitations that have traditionally impeded technological growth in Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

UnoTelos, a pioneering telecommunications company in Nigeria, has revealed an exciting strategic partnership with Niral Networks, a leading provider of Private 5G and Edge AI computing solutions from India

This partnership represents a significant step towards addressing Africa’s connectivity challenges and accelerating digital transformation across the continent.

Can connectivity evolve?

The collaboration between UnoTelos and Niral Networks is built on a shared vision to overcome the persistent infrastructure limitations that have traditionally impeded technological growth in Africa. By combining UnoTelos’ in-depth knowledge of the African market with Niral Networks’ state-of-the-art NiralOS 5G Core and Edge AI technologies, the partnership seeks to deliver secure, low-latency, and scalable connectivity solutions.

“This partnership is more than a technological alliance—it's about empowerment,” stated Jude Egbokwu, founder & CEO of UnoTelos. “We are not just solving connectivity problems; we’re creating opportunities for businesses to innovate, grow, and compete on a global stage.”

Abhijit Chaudhary, founder & CEO of Niral Networks, added, “Our collaboration with UnoTelos represents a pivotal moment in the digital transformation journey across Africa. By integrating Niral Networks' advanced Private 5G and Edge AI technologies with UnoTelos' profound system integration capabilities and market insights, we are not just deploying telecom infrastructure—we are engineering ecosystems for innovation. This partnership is strategically designed to address the continent’s most critical connectivity challenges, enabling industries from mining to oil & gas to leapfrog technological barriers and compete on a global scale.”

The partnership between UnoTelos and Niral Networks will initially focus on pilot projects across key sectors such as mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, shipping, ports, aviation, airports, and logistics. NiralOS’s modular Private 5G and Edge design allows for the customisation of solutions to meet the unique needs of each industry, ensuring efficient and targeted deployments.

By adopting NiralOS Private 5G and Edge, UnoTelos is positioning itself as a leader in telecommunications, providing Nigerian enterprises with advanced connectivity solutions that were previously unavailable or unaffordable. Key benefits of this technology include secure private networks, low-latency communication, scalable edge computing, and tailored industry-specific solutions.

The partnership is expected to drive digital transformation across industries, with applications such as smart factory solutions, remote operations, and IoT systems that can enhance operational efficiency and global competitiveness. Looking forward, UnoTelos and Niral Networks plan to expand deployments, develop more advanced solutions, and support emerging sectors like telemedicine and autonomous systems.