Mobile

IFC's US$150mn financing will help Airtel Africa expand mobile networks and advance digital inclusion across Africa

IFC has announced a US$150mn financing package for two subsidiaries of Airtel Africa to support the expansion and modernisation of mobile network infrastructure across the continent

The loan will enable Airtel Africa to strengthen and extend its mobile networks over the coming years, improving access to high-speed data services in underserved communities. The investment is expected to enhance digital connectivity, helping small businesses expand, entrepreneurs reach new customers and young people access digital services and opportunities.

The financing builds on the long-standing partnership between IFC and Airtel Africa, which is focused on increasing access to reliable internet connectivity across Africa. By improving network capacity and extending coverage, the initiative aims to support economic activity that increasingly relies on digital infrastructure, including mobile money services, online commerce and informal sector businesses.

Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa, said, “Through our ongoing partnership with IFC, we are advancing the expansion and modernisation of our network, underpinning a core pillar of our strategy. It also reflects our ambition to accelerate digital inclusion, scale access to digital tools and services, and enable greater economic opportunity for individuals and communities.”

Supporting digital inclusion and economic growth

According to IFC, stronger digital infrastructure can contribute to broader economic development by improving access to markets, services and employment opportunities.

Dan Croft, acting regional manager for infrastructure in Eastern Africa at IFC, commented, “Expanding digital connectivity is ultimately about expanding opportunity. Stronger networks help businesses reach new customers, enable workers to access wider markets, and connect young people to skills and services that shape their future. Through IFC’s partnership with Airtel Africa, we are supporting the infrastructure that translates connectivity into jobs, inclusion, and sustained growth across Airtel Africa’s markets.”

In addition to the financing, IFC said its continued support through longer-tenor and local currency funding strengthens Airtel Africa's capacity to invest with greater confidence, support sustainable growth and deliver long-term benefits across its operating markets.

Strengthening digital infrastructure across sub-Saharan Africa

Expanding reliable digital infrastructure remains a key part of IFC's strategy for promoting inclusive economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The organisation said stronger telecommunications networks help create opportunities for entrepreneurship, encourage business development and support job creation at scale.

Over the past decade, IFC has committed and mobilised more than US$12bn for telecommunications, media and technology investments across emerging markets.

According to GSMA Intelligence research, 79 per cent of operators in Africa now identify becoming a digital transformation partner as a primary enterprise objective.

The mobile telecommunications sector across the African continent is currently undergoing a profound transition.

According to the Mobile Economy Africa 2026 report, published by the GSMA, the industry has entered a highly anticipated phase of development. Operators are now shifting their strategic focus following a decade defined by the extensive expansion of physical network coverage. The primary objective is no longer merely connecting populations, but unlocking substantially greater economic value through advanced digital networks. This fundamental evolution is expected to drive continuous growth, technological innovation, and digital transformation across the region.

The economic impact of this digital foundation is already immense. The GSMA report indicates that Africa’s mobile industry contributed a staggering US$240bn to the continent's economy in 2025, a figure equivalent to 7.8% of total GDP. Also, the ecosystem actively supported approximately thirteen million jobs whilst simultaneously generating US$45bn in essential public revenues. By the year 2030, mobile technologies and services are projected to contribute a record US$290bn to the African economy.

Telecommunications operators are evolving far beyond their traditional roles to achieve these ambitious targets. According to GSMA Intelligence research, 79% of operators in Africa now identify becoming a digital transformation partner as a primary enterprise objective. This critical transition involves deploying artificial intelligence, expanding consumer digital services, and opening core network capabilities directly to developers through standardised APIs.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly deployed to optimise network performance and support novel digital services. But, a significant localisation challenge persists. Africa is home to more than 30% of the world's spoken languages, yet prominent AI models remain predominantly trained on English. To rectify this imbalance, industry stakeholders are championing initiatives such as the GSMA's “AI language models in Africa, by Africa, for Africa” programme. Concurrently, momentum is growing behind the GSMA Open Gateway initiative. This framework enables operators to provide standardised network APIs to developers, facilitating new services whilst supporting fraud prevention, identity verification, and digital trust across the financial and e-commerce sectors.

Addressing this critical turning point for the industry, Vivek Badrinath, director general of the GSMA, outlined the strategic imperatives required to maintain this momentum.

He stated, "Africa's mobile industry is entering a new phase of development. Having connected millions of people and businesses over the last decade, the focus is increasingly shifting towards unlocking greater value through AI, digital services and new forms of innovation."

Highlighting the collaborative effort required from stakeholders, Badrinath continued, "Realising this opportunity will require continued investment, policies that encourage innovation, and a shared commitment to ensuring that everyone can benefit from the opportunities digital technologies create."

He further stressed the inherent responsibility of the wider technology ecosystem, adding: "We also call on the broader technology supply chain – including those who manufacture the components that make devices possible – to reflect on how their own success is tied to a connected world, and to join us in closing the usage gap and making that world more accessible and affordable for all."

The core challenge has decisively shifted from expanding network coverage to ensuring citizens and businesses fully utilise the connectivity already in place. While networks now cover the vast majority of the population, a glaring usage gap remains. Approximately 63 per cent of Africans live within broadband coverage but are not using the mobile internet. By stark comparison, only 9 per cent remain entirely outside mobile broadband coverage zones.

Affordability remains the single largest barrier to mobile internet adoption, heavily compounded by digital skills gaps and complex social barriers. To support the next phase of digital growth, the GSMA is calling for structural policy reforms that encourage private investment and dramatically improve affordability. Regulatory certainty, spectrum availability, and investment incentives will heavily influence future infrastructure deployment. Operators across Africa are expected to invest over US$76bn in vital network infrastructure between 2024 and 2030, a period during which 5G adoption is forecasted to reach 21% of all mobile connections. Ultimately, the GSMA notes that reducing systemic taxes on devices and digital services can rapidly accelerate adoption and expand equitable access to the modern digital economy.

Vertiv supports Paratus Namibia’s first private LTE and 5G network with resilient digital infrastructure solutions. (Image source: Vertiv)

Vertiv has announced its role in powering Namibia’s first private mobile network based on LTE and 5G technologies for Paratus, a pan-African telecommunications and network services provider

The deployment represents a major development in Namibia’s digital transformation journey, supporting Paratus Namibia’s transition from a regional connectivity company into a full-service mobile telecommunications operator.

To support the rollout, Paratus Namibia implemented new data centre infrastructure featuring Vertiv power and cooling technologies, alongside indoor and outdoor DC power systems designed to support radio equipment across its network.

The project involved several complex requirements, including converting a compact storage area into a fully operational telecom data centre, implementing modular uninterruptible power supply (UPS) capacity with future scalability, and ensuring reliable redundancy across power and cooling systems. These requirements were further intensified by strict timelines linked to the launch of Paratus Namibia’s mobile services.

As part of the deployment, Vertiv supplied a range of solutions, including cooling systems, modular UPS units equipped with lithium-ion batteries, rack power distribution units, and integrated AC inverter and DC rectifier power systems for both indoor and outdoor locations.

Paratus Namibia also worked with ISF ICT Infrastructure, a long-standing Vertiv partner in southern Africa, which managed the commissioning process and UPS system layout to ensure reliable network performance.

Vertiv and ISF ICT Infrastructure collaborated closely to overcome challenges related to global lithium battery supply shortages while maintaining project timelines. The teams ensured continuity by providing interim Vertiv backup loan batteries as a contingency measure in case of shipment delays. This proactive planning, combined with technical expertise and supply chain coordination, contributed to the successful delivery of the project.

Building a resilient digital network

The Paratus Namibia network now provides a complete mobile ecosystem featuring voice over LTE (VoLTE), Wi-Fi calling, advanced LTE and 5G services, alongside fibre and Sky-Fi wireless connectivity solutions.

The newly developed data centre supports mobile, residential, and enterprise services through a scalable and highly available infrastructure environment. Reliability and continuous operation were key priorities during the design process, with N+1 redundancy, real-time monitoring, and advanced power and cooling systems incorporated to minimise service interruptions.

These resilient infrastructure solutions support Paratus Namibia’s strategy to expand its market presence while responding to increasing demand for digital services across Namibia and the wider region.

Paratus Group’s chief technical officer, Gert Duvenhage, said, “Our vision has always been to build our own infrastructure as the foundation for long-term growth. With Vertiv and ISF ICT Infrastructure, organisations where we have long-standing trust, we were able to overcome space constraints, aggressive timelines and complex technical requirements to roll out scalable, redundant, market-leading solutions, backed with added technical capabilities.”

“The execution of this project was extremely smooth - when something works and there are no issues, it almost disappears from your radar - which is exactly how it should be.”

Supporting Namibia’s digital future

Vertiv’s portfolio of infrastructure technologies enabled Paratus Namibia to establish the country’s first private LTE and 5G mobile network. The deployment strengthens the company’s position within Namibia’s telecommunications sector while creating a platform for future digital development.

“With this network now operational, Paratus Namibia solidifies its role in shaping the country’s telecommunications landscape,” added Gary Chomse, Vertiv’s regional director for Southern and Central Africa. “The deployment not only boosts connectivity options for local users but also lays a foundation for future digital innovation and continued growth across the region. Vertiv is proud to support Paratus Namibia in bringing the country’s first private LTE and 5G mobile network to life.”