The MTN Foundation has launched the second edition of the MTN Women in Digital Business Challenge, offering R1 million (US$53,600) to support South African female-led digital businesses. The aim is to help women grow their tech ventures in the male-dominated ICT industry.
Telecom Operators
Vodacom and Eskom Make History With Landmark Virtual Wheeling Agreement
In a first of its kind in South Africa, Vodacom signed a Virtual Wheeling agreement with Eskom that will help accelerate efforts to solve the country’s energy crisis. In addition to adding capacity to the nation’s power grid, this agreement — a Vodacom innovation that has been co-developed with Eskom — will also play a significant role in moving Vodacom closer to its goal of sourcing 100% of its electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2025. This agreement will now enable Vodacom to execute the next phase of this innovative solution: securing Independent Power Producers (IPPs) under the same terms and conditions that underpin its agreement with Eskom.
Telkom Kenya’s Towers Experience Another Shutdown
Telkom Kenya’s towers have been deactivated once again, this time due to a failure to meet site leasing fee obligations with American Towers Corporation (ATC).
MTN Announces Appointment of New Group Executive
MTN Group has revealed that Marina Madale will assume the role of Group Executive starting September 1, 2023. Formerly serving as General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Group, Marina's new position will oversee the strategic direction for Sustainability and Shared Value, along with the foundations' work across all MTN Group markets.
Safaricom Successfully Secures ESG Loan
Safaricom has successfully secured a loan of up to KES20 billion (equivalent to US$137 million) from a consortium of prominent Kenyan banks. This funding will play a pivotal role in advancing the company's comprehensive sustainability plan.
Safaricom Surpasses Five Million Subscribers in Ethiopia
Safaricom Ethiopia has achieved a notable milestone by garnering 5 million subscribers within a year of its launch in the densely populated East African nation. The company aspires to double this count by March.
MTN Appoints New Chief Enterprise Business Officer and Channels Executive
MTN South Africa has appointed Tumi Chamayou as the Chief Enterprise Business Officer and Ernest Galelekile as the Executive for Channels in Commercial Operations. Chamayou's appointment will become effective on October 1, while Galelekile assumed his role on September 1, 2023.
TTCL's Goal: Internet Access for One Million Tanzanian Homes by 2027
Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) has set forth an ambitious goal to bring high-speed fiber-optic Internet services to an additional 1 million households by the year 2027. The primary objective behind this initiative is to eliminate obstacles to digital access, especially for individuals residing in distant and underserved communities.
Vodafone Taps Into Low Orbit Satellite Power to Extend Connectivity
Vodafone and Project Kuiper, Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite (LEO) communications initiative, have announced a strategic collaboration through which Vodafone and Vodacom plan to use Project Kuiper’s network to extend the reach of 4G/5G services to more of their customers in Europe and Africa.
Africell Angola Expands to Huíla Province
Africell Angola, a telecommunications operator, has begun the expansion of its network coverage into the Huíla Province, located in the southeastern part of the country. The company's commercial director, Mário Mateus, stated that while Africell's network is currently accessible solely in Lubango and Humpata cities, efforts are underway to establish a more permanent presence by enhancing infrastructure. The objective is to extend network coverage and services to other regions within the province.