Airtel Africa, Vodacom ink deal to boost connectivity

AIRTEL Africa and Vodacom Group have entered into a strategic infrastructure sharing agreement covering key markets, including Mozambique, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), subject to regulatory approvals in the respective countries.

The agreement, described as a transformative milestone for the continent’s telecom sector, aims to promote digital inclusion and expand access to reliable connectivity across Africa.

Under the initial phase, the partnership will focus on sharing fibre networks and tower infrastructure to accelerate the rollout of digital services, increase connectivity for customers, reduce infrastructure costs, and improve speed to market.

By leveraging existing assets, the collaboration seeks to enhance internet speeds, improve service reliability, and extend access to underserved communities, helping to bridge the digital divide.

Vodacom Group Chief Executive Officer, Shameel Joosub, said the initiative was in line with the company’s ambition to connect 260 million customers by 2030.

“Providing connectivity to empower people is at the core of our strategy. Our partnership with Airtel Africa is a proactive step towards a sustainable, inclusive, and connected digital future for the continent,” he said.

He added that infrastructure sharing enables cost-effective and rapid service delivery, ensuring that “no one is left behind in the digital age.”

Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, said the collaboration underscores the company’s commitment to providing network access even in the remotest locations.

“Working with Vodacom, we will open greater access to digital and financial opportunities that will transform the lives of our customers while complying with all regulatory requirements,” he said.

Mr Taldar emphasised that accelerating fibre connectivity deployment was critical for the adoption of 4G and 5G technologies in Africa, enabling high-speed, low-latency connections for modern digital applications.

The partnership is expected to improve network performance, extend coverage, and enhance mobile, fixed, and financial services by leveraging a wider footprint across the continent.