Author: Akin Naphtal

Moniepoint, a leading Nigerian fintech and one of Africa’s fastest-growing unicorns, has raised an additional $90 million to finalize its Series C funding round, just one year after achieving unicorn status with a $110 million initial raise. The latest investment, led by Development Partners International’s African Development Partners III (ADP III) fund and anchored by impact investor LeapFrog Investment, positions Moniepoint for aggressive growth across Africa and into international markets. A robust lineup of global investors participated in the funding round, including Lightrock, Alder Tree Investments, Google’s Africa Investment Fund, Visa, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Proparco, Swedfund, and Verod…

MTN Group announced it has achieved its Ambition 2025 strategic target of serving 300 million customers, just three decades after launching its first commercial operation in South Africa. The milestone was unveiled at the company’s annual Ambassadors Appreciation Dinner, where African diplomats, public sector leaders, MTN market CEOs, and Group Executive Committee members gathered to toast collaboration, investment, and policy alignment driving the continent’s transformation. “The time is now for Africa to take charge of its own socioeconomic progress. We need to look within for solutions and to develop our own communities,” declared MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita,…

Vertiv, a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, is extending its collaboration with Airtel Africa through Nxtra, its data centre division. Starting with Nigeria, this collaboration is a first step in Nxtra’s strategic objective of establishing one of the largest high-capacity data centre networks in Africa, strategically located in major cities and bolstered by its extensive operations experience in India. “Nxtra has been a valued customer for nearly three decades,” said Karsten Winther, president of Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) for Vertiv. “This next chapter in our collaboration demonstrates the power of combining local support in Africa with international…

Vodafone has partnered with Ericsson in a five-year strategic agreement to modernize its radio access network (RAN) infrastructure across key markets, including Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Germany, Romania, and Egypt. The deal positions Ericsson as Vodafone’s sole RAN vendor in Ireland, Netherlands, and Portugal, and a major vendor in Germany, Romania, and Egypt, deepening a decades-long collaboration between the two companies. The partnership will see Vodafone deploy Ericsson’s cutting-edge, Open RAN-compatible Massive MIMO radios, RAN Compute solutions, and 5G Advanced RAN software to enhance network performance. This modernization effort is designed to support the widespread rollout of 5G Standalone, enabling…

Vertiv, a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, has named Paul Ryan as its new president for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), effective January 1, 2026. Ryan, currently the chief procurement officer, will succeed Karsten Winther, who will retire from the role on December 31, 2025, after a distinguished tenure. Winther’s leadership has been pivotal in strengthening Vertiv’s EMEA operations. “Karsten has made impactful contributions, navigating complex market dynamics with strong leadership and a passion for growth,” said CEO Giordano Albertazzi. Winther, who progressed from regional sales to executive leadership, drove business strategy, operational excellence, and profitability across…

BasiGo, a n e-mobility startup, is transforming public transportation in East Africa with its innovative electric bus model. Starting with just two buses in Nairobi in 2022, the company has rapidly expanded, deploying its 100th electric bus across Kenya and Rwanda by mid-2025. These buses now serve over 20,000 passengers daily, save 250 tonnes of CO₂ emissions monthly, and support more than 1,000 local jobs. BasiGo’s success hinges on its pioneering “Pay-As-You-Drive” financing model, which addresses the high upfront cost of electric buses—often six times that of diesel alternatives. This comprehensive package includes the bus, charging, maintenance, insurance, and a…

Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson, underscored Ericsson’s commitment to nurturing world-class talent, pointing to the company’s work in designing custom silicon for 5G products and leading AI applications in telecom. “Our engineers are building the foundation for a connected future,” he said, encouraging students to bring their curiosity and ambition to the industry. Ekholm recently visited Chalmers University of Technology, where he engaged with students on the transformative potential of 5G, AI, and the evolving telecom industry. Addressing a group of aspiring engineers, Ekholm emphasized the critical role of education and adaptability in shaping the future of technology…

Across Africa, telecommunications and data center companies are marking Customer Service Week 2025 with a unified focus on delivering exceptional service and fostering stronger connections with their customers. Under the global theme “Mission Possible,” industry leaders are emphasizing innovation, trust, and customer-centric strategies to drive digital transformation. Airtel Africa, led by CEO Sunil Taldar, reaffirmed its dedication to fast, affordable, and reliable services. Taldar emphasized the company’s mission to bridge the digital divide and transform lives through customer-focused initiatives. Similarly, MTN Ghana’s CEO, Stephen Blewett, highlighted the importance of listening to customers, from social media feedback to in-store interactions, to…

Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader with African heritage roots, has appointed Marco Gagiano as its new Global Head of Connectivity. This strategic appointment strengthens Cassava’s executive team and underscores its ambition to dominate as the premier digital solutions provider across its markets. Gagiano will oversee Cassava’s connectivity operations throughout Africa, managing an extensive portfolio that includes fibre, satellite, wireless, and wholesale voice and connectivity services. His role is pivotal in driving the company’s mission to deliver innovative, high-impact digital solutions across the continent. With over 20 years of leadership experience in telecommunications and technology, Gagiano brings a wealth of…

Vertiv, a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, has announced a significant leadership transition, with Scott Armul stepping into an expanded role as Chief Product and Technology Officer, effective January 1, 2026. The move follows the planned retirement of Chief Technology Officer Stephen Liang, who will conclude his 30-year tenure with the company on the same date. Armul, a seasoned Vertiv executive, expressed enthusiasm for his new role, emphasizing the opportunity to build on Liang’s legacy. “Stephen has been a driving force in making Vertiv a technology innovator,” Armul said. “I’m honored to take on this expanded role, aligning our…