Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Meta and global telecom partners have completed the 2Africa subsea cable, the world’s longest open-access system spanning 33 countries and connecting three billion people. With capacity exceeding all existing African subsea cables combined, it promises faster, cheaper, and more reliable internet, accelerating digital inclusion, AI innovation, and regional economic growth.
Paratus Group has launched “Paratus 500,” a unified network connecting 15 sub-Saharan African markets via fibre, satellite, and subsea routes. Covering 500 million people, the service integrates terrestrial and LEO networks to deliver scalable, high-quality connectivity across the region.
CMC Networks has named Mahesh Jaishankar as Managing Director, tasking him with leading the company’s strategy around AI-driven connectivity across Africa and the Middle East. Backed by his leadership experience at Google, du, and Arthur D Little, Jaishankar’s appointment follows center3’s 2024 acquisition of CMC and signals a bold push into AIOps-led innovation.
AFR-IX Telecom has adopted VC4’s Service2Create to centralize and automate management of its Pan-African telecom backbone. The partnership enhances efficiency, transparency, and scalability, while supporting AFR-IX’s expansion projects like the Medusa Submarine Cable and Barcelona CLS. The move strengthens Africa’s position in global connectivity and digital transformation.
Chad and Niger have launched talks on fiber interconnection under the TSR project, seeking submarine cable access through coastal states to overcome digital isolation. Like other landlocked African nations, they face high transit costs and infrastructure challenges but are exploring redundancy links, satellite internet, IXPs, and data centers to boost resilience.
Egypt recorded 120 million mobile subscriptions by 2024, ranking second in Africa behind Nigeria. The growth reflects rising mobile internet use and new services like eSIM and Wi-Fi calling, underscoring Egypt’s expanding digital connectivity.
Axian Telecom has issued a $600 million bond to finance the expansion and modernization of its telecom infrastructure across Africa. This capital injection aims to enhance connectivity through new fiber optics, 4G/5G network rollouts, and upgrades. The move demonstrates investor confidence and supports the continent’s digital inclusion goals, with expected positive impacts on various sectors and economic growth.
Broadband access in Africa is expanding rapidly, improving connectivity and driving economic growth. Countries like Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mauritius lead in fixed broadband speeds, reflecting advancements in infrastructure and digital transformation. Strategic investments and policy reforms are essential to accelerate progress and bridge the digital divide across the continent.
PMI and ITU have signed an agreement to enhance project governance, implementation, and skill development in ITU’s global initiatives. This partnership focuses on addressing Africa’s connectivity gaps, aligning PMI’s project management expertise with ITU’s mission to promote digital inclusion and bridge connectivity challenges in underserved regions.
OpenSignal’s report on mobile network experience across Africa reveals vast differences in speed and quality. South Africa leads in download speeds, while many countries face challenges with inconsistent service. Reliance on outdated 2G and 3G networks and high “no signal” time further exacerbate these disparities, underscoring the need for infrastructure improvements.