Author: Akin Naphtal

MTN Group has agreed to acquire IHS Holding Ltd. in an all-cash transaction valued at $6.2 billion, in a move set to reshape Africa’s digital infrastructure landscape. IHS announced Tuesday that shareholders will receive $8.50 per share — a 239% premium to its share price at the start of its strategic review in March 2024. The board unanimously approved the deal and recommended it to shareholders. ALSO READ: MAROC TELECOM POSTS $760M PROFIT ON STRONG AFRICAN GROWTH   MTN has committed to vote its shares in favour of the transaction, while long-term shareholder Wendel also pledged support, securing over 40% backing ahead of the vote.…

Maroc Telecom reported a net profit of $760 million (MAD 6.969 billion) for 2025, marking a dramatic rebound driven by operational recovery and stronger cross-border performance. The result represents a 288% increase compared to 2024, underscoring how a diversified regional footprint is helping the operator navigate domestic pressures while funding long-term infrastructure upgrades. The company also revealed that its turnover for 2025 reached $4 billion (MAD 36.7 billion), a 1.4% increase from 2024. Maroc Telecom attributed the growth primarily to international operations, which rose by 5.3%, fueled by rising demand for data, mobile money, and broadband services across its African subsidiaries. The operator…

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has activated the country’s inaugural trial of Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) services in Nairobi, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of radio broadcasting as the world observes World Radio Day 2026. The trial, facilitated by the CA, introduces Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+) technology to address longstanding challenges in the FM spectrum. Sound broadcasting reaches approximately 98% of Kenyan homes and supports around 300 licensed services. However, VHF Band II FM frequencies (87.5–108.0 MHz) are saturated in major urban areas, resulting in limited room for new broadcasters, increased interference, and suboptimal audio quality. ALSO…

Open Access Data Centres (OADC), Africa’s fastest-growing data centre company, has completed the strategic acquisition of seven NTT DATA data centres in South Africa, significantly expanding its national footprint and boosting its total capacity to over 25 megawatts. The transaction, finalised on 31 December 2025 following approval by the Competition Commission, adds seven facilities to OADC’s portfolio. The company, which operates in South Africa, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), further strengthens its “core-to-edge” proposition to meet rising demand for digital services across Southern Africa. ALSO READ: MASTERCARD, AKBANK UNITE TO POWER WOMEN-LED SMES IN TÜRKIYE   Dr Ayotunde (Tunde) Coker, CEO of OADC,…

The Mastercard Impact Fund (MIF), administered by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, has partnered with Akbank T.A.Ş. to expand financing for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Türkiye, with a strong focus on women-owned businesses and enterprises in earthquake-affected regions. The initiative aligns with the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) $100 million credit facility to Akbank and includes longer-term financing support. The program will strengthen Akbank’s lending capacity to women-led MSMEs while expanding its Transformation Academy to deliver broader non-financial services, including training, mentorship, and business advisory support. ALSO READ: KENYA CHAMPIONS GREEN AI INFRASTRUCTURE AT NAIROBI AI FORUM 2026   Kaan Gür, CEO of Akbank, reaffirmed the bank’s…

The adoption of robust and scalable Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure tailored to Africa’s unique context will unlock economic growth and create vast opportunities across the continent and beyond, stakeholders declared at the official opening of the Nairobi AI Forum 2026. The two-day Forum, themed “Accelerating Adoption & Impact: Building Green Scalable AI Infrastructure with Africa’s Innovators,” was officially opened in Nairobi by the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, H.E. Hon. William Kabogo Gitau, E.G.H. ALSO READ: GOOGLE TAPS TOTALENERGIES TO POWER AI GROWTH WITH TEXAS SOLAR DEAL   In his address, CS Kabogo underscored Kenya’s strong commitment to leveraging AI and digital technologies…

Google has signed a major renewable power agreement with TotalEnergies as it moves to meet surging electricity demand driven by the rapid expansion of its artificial intelligence infrastructure. The deal, announced on Monday, will see Google source renewable electricity from TotalEnergies-owned solar projects currently under development in Texas, specifically the Wichita and Mustang Creek sites. Construction on both facilities is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026. ALSO READ: MTN TARGETS FINTECH ACQUISITIONS TO BUILD AFRICA’S NEXT DIGITAL PLATFORM   The agreement comes as Google faces rising energy needs linked to growing AI workloads and expanding data centre operations.…

MTN Group is accelerating its push into fintech, targeting acquisitions in payments, lending, and remittances as part of a broader shift toward platform-driven growth across Africa. According to a report by Semafor, Africa’s largest telecom operator is actively pursuing fintech deals to deepen and scale its rapidly expanding digital financial ecosystem, signalling a move away from fragmented startup investments toward integrated, high-impact platforms. The strategy reflects MTN’s view that Africa’s digital financial future will be built through scale and integration rather than isolated fintech startups chasing unicorn valuations. By consolidating services within a single platform serving millions of users, MTN…

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have solidified a partnership aimed at deepening collaboration and leveraging global expertise. The commitment was reaffirmed during a strategic meeting where NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, represented by the Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Dimie Shively Warowie, engaged with the Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau. The dialogue centered on a mutual ambition to deliver universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity for all Nigerians while ensuring a secure digital ecosystem. ALSO READ: MTN GROUP SEEKS JSE APPROVAL TO ACQUIRE CONTROLLING STAKE IN IHS TOWERS   The ITU representative commended Nigeria’s regulatory progress,…

MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecommunications operator, has formally applied to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) for approval to acquire a controlling stake in IHS Towers, the continent’s leading independent communications infrastructure company. In a letter to investors released Thursday morning, MTN confirmed it is in advanced discussions to purchase 75% of IHS Towers’ shares, which would position the telecom giant as the majority shareholder of the tower company. The move, if completed, would rank among the most significant infrastructure transactions in African telecom history. ALSO READ: CELLULANT APPOINTS MICHAEL MURIUKI AS CHIEF PRODUCT AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICER  MTN cautioned that “no final…