East Africa broadband growth accelerated by Yas

AXIAN Telecom Fibre Ltd (“Yas”), a subsidiary of AXIAN Telecom Holding and Management PLC, has successfully completed the acquisition of 99.63% of Wananchi Group (Holdings) Ltd (“Wananchi”), one of East Africa’s leading fixed broadband and enterprise connectivity providers

This milestone reinforces Yas’s strategic vision, expanding its footprint across high-growth fibre markets and reaching over one million homes across the region.

East Africa is among the fastest-growing broadband markets on the continent, driven by rising data demand and accelerating digitalisation across enterprises. The integration of Wananchi positions Yas to capitalise on this momentum, delivering reliable, high-speed, and inclusive connectivity across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi, while paving the way for future expansion into neighbouring markets. In Tanzania, the acquisition is expected to strengthen Yas’s market presence by leveraging synergies with its existing operations.

Operating under the well-established brands Zuku (consumer) and Simbanet (enterprise), Wananchi serves customers through an extensive fibre backbone and last-mile network. Under Yas’s ownership, the company will benefit from enhanced investment capacity and access to group-wide expertise to scale Fiber To The Home (FTTH), Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), and cloud connectivity solutions throughout the region.

“Wananchi Group’s network, customer relationships, and local expertise align perfectly with our ambition to be a leader in broadband connectivity across Africa,” commented Hassan Jaber, CEO of AXIAN Telecom.

 “Yas already has a strong presence in East Africa, and this acquisition builds on our deep understanding of the region’s opportunities and needs while giving us access to new vibrant markets in Kenya and Uganda. Together, we will unlock new potential for growth, innovation, and value creation — delivering better access and new digital services for the communities and businesses we serve.”

“Our goal is to build a leading pan-African broadband connectivity provider, and Wananchi’s addition is a big step forward. We are committed to bringing high-speed Internet to millions more Africans. Our strong performance so far, doubling of our fixed broadband base and achieving double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth, shows the strength of our model,” added Bertrand Lacroix, CEO of AXIAN Telecom Fibre. 

Yas currently operates in Tanzania, Madagascar, Comoros, Senegal, and Togo. The integration of Wananchi will leverage Yas’s operational scale, investment capacity, and cross-market expertise, while ensuring continuity of employment and business operations. Customers, employees, and partners can expect a smooth transition as Wananchi begins its next chapter within the Yas family.