All Africa articles
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Network & InfraAfrica’s fibre boom needs a commercial operating model — not just more network
Open-access analysis: Building fibre across Africa is only the first hurdle; monetising capacity is the commercial test. From prepaid township offers to carrier-neutral wholesale platforms, operators need scalable operating models to turn network investment into services and returns. Draws on market evidence and ZIRA Group’s fibre and wholesale experience…
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Network & InfraOHB lands €1bn SES contract as Europe’s IRIS² advances
Europe’s IRIS² satellite programme has moved into execution mode, with OHB securing a billion-euro contract to build 18 satellites for the constellation amid growing demand for sovereign communications capabilities.
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PeoplewatchDigital Infra Peoplewatch: Satellite Connect Europe fills out team; Indus revamp rolls on
August 2026 edition: 20+ senior and strategic leadership changes in EMEA digital infra, including further leadership appointments at Satellite Connect Europe as it readies for commercial launch, C-suite changes at Indus Towers, and a new CEO in at subsea cable player FLAG.
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M&AMTN secures IHS deal approvals, moves closer to African towers take-back
Nigerian competition authority among multiple regulators to greenlight the deal, which could see MTN take back control of previously sold tower assets. Telco highlights IHS buy as among ‘selective’ investments in digital infra during H1, as it boasts a strong set of financial results for the period…
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Analyst BriefingEMEA Infrawatch: satellite operators mark rollout progress
Analyst Briefing: Latest on EMEA digital infra, including a refresh of the European Commission’s IRIS2 programme, space partnership progress at AST SpaceMobile and SES, and fibre consolidation advances in Poland and Greece.
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PeoplewatchVodafone Peoplewatch: Vodacom tightens grip on Safaricom, network chief changes in Europe
August 2026 update, with 40+ strategic and senior changes including: a set of boardroom swaps as Vodacom installs reps at Safaricom; Yago Lopez taking a Group-level job, meaning a new Chief Networks Officer comes in at Turkey; and HR swaps at VOIS…
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PeoplewatchOrange Peoplewatch: AI leadership swaps in B2B; Utiq makes latest exec change
August 2026 edition: 20+ senior and strategic leadership changes at Orange, including new AI leadership at Orange Business and Orange Cyberdefense and the first executive switch-up at adtech venture Utiq since arrival of CEO Will Harmer.
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PeoplewatchFormer MTN, Airtel heavyweights lined up for Vodacom board
Vodacom turns to ex-MTN M&A chief and Airtel Africa CEO to fill boardroom spots ahead of Chair Saki Macozoma’s retirement.
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Analyst BriefingEMEA Infrawatch: EU moves to plug data centre funding gap
Analyst Briefing: Latest on EMEA digital infra, including the launch of the EU’s call for tenders for the AI Gigafactory data centre scheme, a series of wireless infra transactions in the Middle East and Africa, and the Netherland’s KPN threatening further cutbacks after regulator’s decision to block DELTA Fiber deal.
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M&AMTN moves closer to African tower takeback
South African group takes another step towards re-acquisition of regional assets, via buyout of IHS. CEO Ralph Mupita sees towers as a “critical value-creation driver” for recently revamped strategy. Approval marks latest turn in long (and fraught) relationship…
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PeoplewatchDigital Infra Peoplewatch: Cellnex names new regional execs; LightSpeed refreshes wholesale line-up
July 2026–August 2026 edition: 25+ senior and strategic leadership changes in EMEA digital infra, including new appointments at Cellnex Group and its Polish division, Green Datacenters names new execs ahead of European expansion, and LightSpeed fills out senior wholesale and enterprise team.
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone: strong start to year adds traction to ‘new chapter’ growth narrative
Q1 FY26–27 overview: Vodafone has delivered one of its strongest quarterly updates in recent years, buoyed by Africa consolidation and improving conditions in key European markets, prompting management to raise FY guidance and talk with increasing confidence about a ‘new phase’.
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone rises as Africa bulks up, Europe steadies
Q1 FY26–27 in-depth: Vodafone’s largest markets appear to be moving forward together for the first time under CEO Margherita Della Valle, even if challenges remain. Germany has found firmer footing, UK integration is advancing, and consolidation of Safaricom has strengthened African contribution…
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M&AVodacom chief dismisses prospect of Vodafone Egypt takeover
Shameel Joosub says no plans to replicate Vodacom’s recent move on Kenya’s Safaricom to take full control of star performance Vodafone Egypt, but suggests an interest should co-owner Telecom Egypt shift its stance.
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Strategy & ChangeIndian infra giant Indus secures go-ahead for African entrance
Towerco wins regulatory approvals and operating licences to launch in three African markets, with build-out expected to commence in the coming months. CEO Prachur Sah aims to create “strong foothold” in Africa, as first orders from anchor tenant and shareholder Airtel come through…
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Network & InfraAmerican Tower continues streamlining with APAC departure
US wireless infra giant offloads last two outposts in Asia-Pacific as it concentrates resource on riding 5G and edge/AI wave in developed markets.
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone Business quietly enters Group’s ‘growth’ agenda
Q1 FY26–27: B2B improvements mean division is an increasingly important part of the turnaround story, driven by cloud, cybersec, and SaaS, underpinned by deals with digital services allies.
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Analyst BriefingEMEA Infrawatch: pressured European infracos rethink ownership models
Analyst Briefing: Latest on EMEA digital infra, including a court rejecting INWIT’s request to block Fastweb + Vodafone and TIM from exiting their MSAs early, Amazon Leo beating Starlink to secure a South African entrance, and rumours of Telefónica and Pontegadea kicking off talks to sell subsea cable operator Telxius.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBezos trumps Musk on home turf as Amazon Leo signs South African satellite deal
Amazon Leo has secured a breakthrough route into South Africa, partnering with Vodacom-linked Herotel to launch satellite broadband services while rival Starlink remains constrained by local licensing requirements.
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M&AFrom bitter critic to anchor investor: Xavier Niel replaces e& as Vodafone’s largest shareholder
In-depth: Audacious French telecoms tycoon snaps up e&’s stake in a €5bn transaction. Niel expresses confidence in strategic direction and ‘value creation potential’, just two years after expensively venting frustration at ‘mismanagement’…