Author: Akin Naphtal

IHS Towers has announced a definitive agreement to sell its 70% stake in IHS Kuwait Limited (“IHS Kuwait”) to Zain Group, Kuwait’s leading mobile network operator. The deal includes approximately 1,675 sites and an additional 700 managed sites in Kuwait. The transaction, valued at an enterprise worth $230 million, reflects a transaction multiple of 14.2x based on the estimated Adjusted EBITDA for IHS Kuwait after leases. This valuation represents a notable premium compared to the current group valuation multiple of IHS Towers. Subject to customary closing conditions, including government and regulatory approvals, the deal is expected to be finalized in…

The Ghanaian government has made digital technology the heart of its socioeconomic development strategy, launching a $5 million fund to foster technological innovation across the nation. Last week, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Ghana’s Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, officially introduced the country’s new Digital Economy Policy and Strategy. This comprehensive roadmap is designed to harness digital technologies to drive economic growth, enhance public services, and ensure equitable access to digital resources. The strategy is built on five core pillars: entrepreneurship, digital skills, digital government, universal access, and emerging technologies. According to Minister Owusu-Ekuful, the policy is intended to accelerate Ghana’s ongoing digital…

MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecom provider, has announced the appointment of Sandile Gwala as an independent non-executive director, effective January 1, 2025. Gwala, a seasoned professional and entrepreneur, is the co-founder and CEO of a business consultancy serving clients locally and internationally. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) in Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Natal, South Africa. With extensive experience in the professional services sector, Gwala has previously served as a group executive director and partner at Deloitte in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. In a statement, MTN highlighted…

Raxio Group, a leading African data center operator, has announced the appointment of Robert Skjødt as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025. Skjødt will succeed Robert Mullins, who revealed plans to step down in late 2023. Mullins will continue as an advisor to ensure a smooth leadership transition. In a statement, Raxio outlined its ambitious plans under Skjødt’s leadership to at least double its presence across Africa within the next three years. The company currently operates Tier III carrier-neutral colocation data centers in Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Côte d’Ivoire, with projects underway…

MTN Group has announced the extension of Ralph Mupita’s tenure as Group President and CEO, securing his leadership until August 31, 2030. Mupita, who originally held a contract set to expire on September 30, 2025, received the extension following approval by the group’s board. MTN’s Group Chairman, Mcebisi Jonas, emphasized the significance of continuity during challenging global and regional times. “Extending Mupita’s tenure will allow MTN to effectively navigate the complex geopolitical dynamics, market volatility, and macroeconomic challenges affecting the business,” Jonas said. He added that the decision ensures the company focuses on strategic priorities and on commitments to shareholders…

SEACOM, a leading African connectivity and cloud services provider, has agreed with Forefront, a cybersecurity managed services company, and Cloudflare, Inc. , to strengthen cybersecurity resilience across the continent. The synergy will deliver Cloudflare’s state-of-the-art security solutions to businesses in Africa, enabling them to modernize their infrastructure while safeguarding against cyber threats. “This partnership marks an exciting new addition to our product portfolio by providing cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to our clients,” said Sajid Khan, SEACOM’s Group Managing Director for Digital Services. “By collaborating with Cloudflare, a respected name in the industry, SEACOM is committed to ensuring our clients have access…

Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, Safaricom, has received regulatory approval from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) to launch its second money market product, Zidi. The product will be introduced in partnership with Standard Investment Bank, ALA Capital Limited, and Sanlam Investments East Africa Limited. Zidi, which will be accessible through the M-PESA platform, aims to simplify investment for subscribers, enabling them to grow their wealth via the capital markets. The fund aligns with Safaricom’s strategy to deepen its presence in the financial services sector and promote financial inclusion. Wyckliffe Shamiah, CEO of the CMA, hailed the initiative as a testament to…

French telecom giant Orange has announced a partnership with OpenAI and Meta to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) large language models (LLMs) tailored to African languages, a big move to enhance digital inclusion on the continent. The initiative, unveiled on November 26, aims to address the digital gap caused by the underrepresentation of African languages in global AI systems. The project will leverage OpenAI’s Whisper and Meta’s Llama platforms to create AI systems capable of understanding and communicating in regional African languages. Set to launch in 2025, the initiative will initially focus on Wolof and Pulaar, widely spoken across West Africa,…

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries worldwide, its impact on the data center sector is nothing short of transformative. Vertiv, a global leader in critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has unveiled its projections for the key trends that will shape the data center landscape in 2025. These insights underscore the need for industry-wide innovation, sustainability, and strategic collaboration to meet the demands of an AI-driven future. The AI Revolution: Driving Data Center Evolution “AI is rapidly increasing rack densities into three- and four-digit kilowatt ranges,” said Vertiv CEO Giordano Albertazzi. “The demand for advanced, scalable solutions to…

Airtel Nigeria has ushered in a new era of leadership by appointing Dinesh Balsingh as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. This appointment was announced in a statement by Femi Adeniran, Director of Corporate Communications and CSR at Airtel Nigeria, and signals a strategic move to strengthen the company’s presence in the dynamic telecommunications market. A Journey in Telecommunications Excellence Dinesh Balsingh brings over two decades of extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, marked by exemplary leadership and strategic innovation. His career with Airtel began in 2013 when he joined Airtel Nigeria as Marketing Director. He spearheaded key consumer…