Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
AXIAN Telecom and AST SpaceMobile have partnered to launch Africa’s first direct-to-device satellite mobile broadband network. Using BlueBird satellites, the service will deliver 4G and 5G connectivity directly to standard smartphones across remote regions, supporting consumers, enterprises, IoT services and emergency communications.
Africa’s telecom growth is driven by a young population and increasing digital demand. Key players like MTN South Africa, Vodacom, and MTN Nigeria lead in subscribers and innovation, while companies such as Safaricom and Maroc Telecom drive digital finance and 5G expansion. The continent’s telecom landscape remains dynamic and pivotal to Africa’s digital future.
Vodacom Group has appointed Mohamed Abdallah as CEO of Vodacom International Markets and Vodafone Egypt. Expanding his current role, Mohamed will oversee operations in Egypt, DRC, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Tanzania under a unified leadership structure. This move supports Vodacom’s Vision 2030 growth strategy and operational simplification. Mohamed succeeds Diego Gutierrez, who stepped down after seven years leading international business.
Omdia predicts that 5G penetration in Africa will rise from 1.4% in 2024 to 25.6% by 2029, driving growth in mobile data traffic. Mobile subscriptions will reach 1.78 billion by 2029, with fiber broadband also seeing significant expansion. Governments are encouraged to prioritize 5G spectrum allocation and device affordability.