Telecom

Tanzania and Kenya have jointly inaugurated a terrestrial fibre optic interconnection linking Dar es Salaam to Mombasa via the Lunga Lunga/Horohoro border—marking a strategic step toward regional digital integration.

The initiative, led by the Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation and Kenya’s ICT Authority, is designed to enhance internet access through secure and resilient cross-border infrastructure. It connects Tanzania’s National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) to Kenya’s submarine cable landings in Mombasa, strengthening the interoperability of both countries’ networks.

“We are reviewing our service delivery policies between the two countries to ensure citizens benefit from high-quality and affordable communication services,” said Jerry Silaa, Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, at the launch on July 18.

This new link reduces Tanzania’s reliance on foreign submarine infrastructure, expands international internet access, and supports ambitions for regional economic and digital integration. It comes as Kenya, with an internet penetration rate of 48%—representing approximately 27.4 million users—leverages its well-established undersea cable capacity in Mombasa.

The fibre interconnection is also expected to spur cross-border e-commerce, promote digital inclusion, and improve data security across the region. As East African nations move to harmonize their digital infrastructures, this bilateral partnership exemplifies how cooperative frameworks can accelerate the delivery of essential digital services and attract ICT investment.

Source: Agence Ecofin|

Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel) expressed concern over recurrent acts of sabotage against its fibre infrastructure in the capital, Yaounde, which have resulted in massive internet service outages.

Unidentified individuals destroyed critical telecoms infrastructure, including overhead fibre optic cables and distribution boxes, in the most recent attack, which occurred overnight on July 13 and 14.

According to a statement released by the telco yesterday, this is the third such incident in less than a month, with similar attacks on June 25 and July 10.

Camtel said three sub-distribution boxes were entirely destroyed, resulting in an internet blackout for the whole Mfou zone.

The disruption impacted a wide range of users, including schools, businesses, healthcare providers, and households.

Images released by the company show poles tampered with, wires severed, and underground installations dug up or destroyed.

The telco condemned the destruction and stated that it had contacted law enforcement and judicial authorities to locate and prosecute the culprits.

The organisation emphasised that all available technical resources have been deployed to restore service as soon as possible.

The state-run telecom operator has also apologised to its customers for the inconvenience and reaffirmed its commitment to the quality, dependability, and security of its infrastructure throughout the country.

“The national telecommunications network is a strategic asset serving the economic, social, and institutional life of Cameroon,” the statement added, noting that safeguarding telecom infrastructure is a collective responsibility.

No group has taken credit for the vandalism. Camtel’s general manager, Judith Yah Sunday Achidi, revealed in May that recurrent concerted vandalism against its key infrastructure, particularly the national optic fibre backbone, is sometimes carried out by its own staff.

Source: IT Web Africa

Source: Uganda Digital Acceleration Project | July 2025

In a significant step toward narrowing Uganda’s digital divide, the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) has launched free public Wi-Fi in Bwera Town, Kasese District—bringing internet access to schools, health centers, and government offices in the once-quiet border community.

The initiative forms part of the Uganda Digital Acceleration Project (UDAP-GovNet), a government-led, World Bank–backed programme focused on extending last-mile digital connectivity across underserved regions.

At a launch event along Mpondwe Road, Uganda’s State Minister for ICT, Godfrey Kabyanga, described the rollout as a tool for empowerment. “Access to the internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” he said. “This is about giving people the power to learn, trade, and grow.”

Kabyanga also urged responsible usage, warning against misuse of the free platform: “We’re offering a tool for development, not a weapon for abuse.”

NITA-U Executive Director Hatwib Mugasa confirmed that Bwera is among several pilot locations under UDAP-GovNet. “What we’ve started in Bwera is just the beginning. Our goal is to ensure that no community is left behind in Uganda’s digital transformation,” he said, noting additional Wi-Fi installations planned for Mpondwe and surrounding areas.

For local residents, the impact is already tangible. “With rising data costs, this is a lifeline,” said Tsindika Brian, a student in Bwera. “This Wi-Fi will help us save money and stay connected.”

The UDAP-GovNet project aims to increase the efficiency and reach of digital government services, while equipping communities with the tools to participate in Uganda’s growing digital economy.

Kenya has launched a major fibre optic project along the Isiolo–Mandera corridor, aiming to bridge the digital divide in its northeastern region and bolster regional integration across the Horn of Africa.

Led by the ICT Authority under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, the initiative forms part of the $750 million World Bank–funded Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP). The corridor will extend high-capacity fibre infrastructure across 740 kilometres, improving connectivity in underserved communities and facilitating cross-border digital links with Ethiopia and Somalia.

An Early Market Engagement (EME) process has been initiated to attract supplier and contractor input on procurement, technology, and delivery strategies—ensuring a competitive and innovation-driven rollout. The project scope includes backbone fibre deployment, last-mile access, public WiFi for institutions, solar-powered infrastructure, and networking equipment.

In addition to its digital ambitions, HoAGDP includes critical upgrades to the Isiolo–Mandera highway, converting it to bitumen standard to support the movement of people and goods across the region.

Kenyan and Ethiopian officials, in recent talks under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), reaffirmed their commitment to completing the cross-border fibre link, viewing enhanced digital infrastructure as essential to economic transformation.

By targeting over 3.2 million residents, the project is expected to expand access to online services, improve healthcare, education, and commerce, and unlock wider economic potential through integrated digital and transport infrastructure.

Source: VOIP Review | July 2025

Ethio Telecom has unveiled Zoorya, a cloud-based business automation solution designed to help enterprises streamline operations, digitize transactions, and enhance decision-making.

Developed by ETTA Solutions and hosted on Ethio Telecom’s TeleCloud infrastructure, Zoorya integrates enterprise resource planning (ERP), point-of-sale (POS), and cash register functionalities into a unified platform. The solution is tailored for businesses in hospitality, retail, import/export, and manufacturing sectors.

The initiative is backed by strategic partners Dashen Bank and ETTA Solutions. Ethio Telecom’s widely used Telebirr mobile payment platform—boasting over 54 million users—is fully integrated into Zoorya, enabling secure, contactless transactions and advancing Ethiopia’s push toward a cashless economy. Telebirr will also lead merchant outreach and solution distribution.

Dashen Bank plays a key financing role, offering a ‘buy now, pay later’ model to help service providers acquire the necessary hardware. It will also integrate Zoorya into its digital payment services and facilitate access to foreign currency for equipment importation.

The partners aim to onboard over 10,000 merchants within the next two years, positioning Zoorya as a critical tool for modernizing Ethiopia’s small and medium business landscape.

Source: CIO Intelligent | July 2025

Cameroon has unveiled its first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (SNIA), outlining a bold vision to position the country as a regional AI leader by 2040. Announced by the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Li Likeng, during the second edition of the National Consultations on AI (CONIA), the roadmap is anchored on seven strategic pillars to guide cross-sector AI integration.

Key pillars of the strategy include

1. Governance and Digital Sovereignty—Establishing a dedicated AI Authority, a Presidential Council on AI, and a national legal framework for ethical and regulated AI deployment.
2. Data and Infrastructure—Launching a government Data Lake, mass digitisation of services, open data policies, and national interoperability standards.
3. Multilingual and Inclusive AI—Developing a sovereign large language model, “GPT Cameroon,” to support national and local languages through linguistic research and voice data collection.
4. Sovereign Technological Infrastructure—Deploying 15 solar-powered edge computing nodes for resilient AI processing across all regions.
5. Human Capital and Research—Training 4,000 people annually, creating five AI centres of excellence, and implementing talent repatriation and research enhancement programmes.
6. Innovation and Sectoral Use Cases—Promoting AI-driven solutions in health, agriculture, education, and justice, with targeted startup and innovation support.
7. Regional and International Cooperation—Establishing a regional AI network for Central Africa and expanding export pathways for “Made in Cameroon” AI solutions.

The government estimates that the plan could generate 12,000 direct jobs and boost AI’s contribution to GDP by 1.2% by 2040. The SNIA prioritizes ethical use, inclusivity, and sovereignty, aiming to make AI a catalyst for public service delivery, economic development, and cultural representation in digital spaces.

Source: Tech Africa News

Ethiopia has officially rolled out its national e-services platform, MESOB (Modern Ethiopian Service for Organized Benefits), across the country. The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh during the 10th Africa Public Service Day celebration on June 23.

Positioned as a digital one-stop shop for government services, MESOB integrates web portals, mobile apps, and in-person service points to streamline access and reduce administrative fragmentation. The initiative forms part of a larger public sector reform agenda focused on seven pillars, including human resource modernization, inclusive governance, performance-based management, and public ethics.

“This platform is about building trust and closing historical gaps in service delivery,” said Tiruneh, adding that MESOB will help Ethiopia meet the demands of evolving technologies, inequality, and global uncertainty.

Despite the ambitious rollout, Ethiopia still faces significant challenges in its digital governance journey. According to the United Nations Department of Social Affairs, Ethiopia scored 0.3111 on the 2024 Global e-Government Development Index—below the African average of 0.4247. Its e-Services Index rating also lagged at 0.3420, underscoring the need for continued investment in digital public infrastructure.

The nationwide implementation of MESOB marks a key milestone in Ethiopia’s quest to standardize and digitize public service delivery.

Source: Agency EcoFin

By Amiya Johar | Source: Mobile Net Zero Report via GSMA

The GSMA is calling on mobile network operators to accelerate their decarbonisation efforts, warning that current progress falls short of the trajectory required to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

According to the mobile industry body’s latest Mobile Net Zero report, operators achieved an 8% reduction in operational emissions between 2019 and 2023, even as global mobile connections rose by 9% and data consumption quadrupled. The findings were released ahead of MWC Shanghai.

Despite this progress, the GSMA cautions that the pace of emissions reduction must increase to 7.5% annually through to 2030—more than twice the current rate. Preliminary 2024 data shows a 4.5% drop, indicating improvement but still below target.

Renewable energy uptake played a significant role in the sector’s emissions decline, with 37% of electricity sourced from renewables in 2023—up from just 13% in 2019. This shift reportedly prevented around 16 million tonnes of carbon emissions. Regional leaders include Europe, which cut operator emissions by 56% since 2019, followed by North America (44%) and Latin America (36%). For the first time, China recorded a 4% drop in operator emissions, spurred by a sharp increase in clean energy use.

Still, GSMA flags Scope 3 emissions—those generated across supply chains and manufacturing—as a key challenge, accounting for two-thirds of the sector’s carbon footprint. These value chain emissions remain a critical focus area for operators aligning with science-based targets.

Operators are increasingly turning to energy-efficient infrastructure, solar power, battery storage, and the phasing out of diesel-based and legacy networks. But GSMA stresses that stronger policy environments and expanded renewable energy access are essential to meet global sustainability ambitions.

Consumer trends also signal growing momentum for sustainability. Nearly 90% of surveyed users are open to refurbished devices, a market expected to reach $150 billion by 2027.

“This industry isn’t greenwashing or greenwishing—it’s green acting,” said Steven Moore, GSMA’s Head of Climate Action. “But to stay on track, we need faster progress, firmer policy support, and deeper collaboration across the ecosystem.”

By Amiya Johar | Source: Mobile Net Zero Report via GSMA

The Guinean Backbone Management Company (SOGEB) and Sierra Leone’s Leoncom have signed a cross-marketing agreement to jointly leverage their international fiber optic capacities. The deal, sealed in Conakry on June 12, aims to enhance digital interconnection between the two neighboring West African nations.

The agreement enables reciprocal access to each country’s national fiber networks through the Pamelap border exchange point. By sharing infrastructure and international capacity, the initiative seeks to deliver more stable, affordable, and competitive broadband connectivity for operators, enterprises, and public agencies.

This builds on an earlier interconnection pact signed in November 2024 and supports ECOWAS’s broader vision of regional digital integration. As of early 2025, internet penetration stands at 26.5% in Guinea and 20.7% in Sierra Leone, according to Datareportal.

The partnership is expected to boost network resilience, reduce service disruptions, and lower connectivity costs—fostering increased digital adoption and enabling advancements in e-government, education, and healthcare.

Source: Extensia.tech

Burkina Faso plans to deploy 800 new telecom sites in 2025 to improve network coverage and eliminate underserved “white zones.” The initiative, led by the Ministry of Digital Transition and regulator ARCEP, is part of efforts to enhance service quality in collaboration with operators Orange Burkina, Telecel Faso, and ONATEL S.A.

Of the 800 sites:

• 250 will be delivered under the PACTDIGITAL initiative
• 500 will be funded by the Universal Service and Access Fund (FASU)
• 50 additional sites will be added as coverage gaps are identified, also backed by FASU

The tender process is underway, supporting the government’s goal of achieving nationwide connectivity by 2027.

Source: Extensia.tech