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In The Spotlight

IPT PowerTech scales clean power networks

Internet

International Finance Corporation has announced an investment in IPT PowerTech to expand access to clean and reliable power for telecom networks in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, where limited energy infrastructure continues to constrain digital connectivity and broader economic participation

The initiative aims to enhance the stability and quality of power supplied to telecom towers, supporting stronger mobile coverage and enabling households, schools, healthcare facilities, and small businesses to benefit from more reliable digital services.

The investment will fund the upgrade, operation, and maintenance of 2,235 telecom sites across the three countries, with more than 90% located in off-grid or weak-grid areas. By integrating solar and battery systems, the project is expected to reduce outages, improve service reliability, and lower dependence on diesel-powered generation. Energy optimisation is projected to cut power costs by up to 30% in Liberia, 26% in Sierra Leone, and 52% in Ethiopia, while also reducing emissions by more than 10,624 tCO₂e annually. These gains are expected to support more affordable digital services and expand economic inclusion in underserved regions. The partnership will also contribute to gender inclusion by increasing opportunities for women across technical, operational, and leadership roles.

Nabil Haddad, CEO of IPT PowerTech Group, said, “This agreement with IFC reflects a shared vision for a greener telecom industry. It empowers IPT PowerTech to scale its innovative energy platforms and deliver measurable environmental and operational impact across our global footprint.”

“Reliable and affordable power for telecom networks is a cornerstone of Africa’s digital transformation. Through this partnership with IPT PowerTech, we are supporting a scalable, private sector-led solution that enables mobile operators to extend coverage, improve service quality, and reach underserved and fragile communities more sustainably”, said Nathalie Kouassi-Akon, IFC division director, West Africa Gulf of Guinea. “This investment demonstrates how innovative InfraTech solutions can simultaneously strengthen connectivity, reduce emissions, and unlock economic opportunity at scale.”

To support the rollout, IFC is providing a US$45mn financing package, including a US$27 million A-Loan and US$18mn in blended finance through the Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Program and the IDA20 Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility. This marks IFC’s first direct infrastructure investment in Liberia in ten years and in Sierra Leone in six years, helping scale solar- and battery-based systems to reduce diesel reliance and improve network resilience.

In addition to financing, IFC will work with IPT PowerTech to enhance environmental and social standards across its operations, aligning with global best practices.

The project also contributes to broader development initiatives, including the World Bank Group and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 programme, which aims to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to 300 million people across Africa by 2030. It further supports the World Bank Group’s Digital Economy for Africa strategy and Country Partnership Framework priorities in the three countries.

Paratus launches Essential Access connectivity solution

Internet

Pan-African telecommunications provider Paratus Group has introduced Paratus Essential Access, a new solution aimed at delivering priority connectivity to critical services and communities across the continent

The initiative focuses on bridging connectivity gaps that continue to limit the effectiveness of essential services in remote and underserved regions. Powered by Starlink, the offering is designed to provide dependable satellite-based connectivity where conventional infrastructure is unavailable.

Paratus Essential Access is built to support organisations operating at the core of community wellbeing. By delivering reliable, high-speed and low-latency connectivity, the service ensures that institutions in hard-to-reach locations can continue functioning without disruption. It is made available with preferential pricing and dedicated support for approved essential service providers, including law enforcement agencies, hospitals, clinics, schools, higher education institutions, emergency response units, community centres, and non-profit initiatives focused on agriculture and food security.

To support seamless deployment, the solution is delivered through Paratus Group’s in-country teams, which provide certified installation and integration with existing network infrastructure where required. Its rapid rollout capabilities enable organisations to establish connectivity quickly, ensuring continuity of operations even in the most challenging and isolated environments.

Schalk Erasmus, Paratus Group CEO remarked, “With Paratus Essential Access we are prioritising the organisations and communities people rely on most. This ensures that essential services in remote areas stay connected where traditional infrastructure cannot reach, allowing them to continue providing vital support to the communities they serve.”

Designed to support frontline operations, the solution enables a broad range of use cases, including emergency response coordination, secure communications, telemedicine, digital healthcare systems, and remote education. It also facilitates smart agriculture practices and operational monitoring, contributing to improved food security and long-term community sustainability.

 
 

IFC partners with Cashi to scale interoperable digital payments in Chad. (Image source: IFC)

Commerce

A new partnership has been announced between International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group, and Cashi, a fintech firm focused on developing digital payment infrastructure across Africa, including in Chad

The collaboration will support interoperable payment solutions tailored for environments with limited connectivity.

Cashi’s platform enables individuals and businesses to send and receive money using mobile phones, point-of-sale devices, and SMS-based tools. By linking users with banks, telecom operators, and other financial institutions within a unified ecosystem, the solution simplifies everyday transactions in markets where cash usage remains prevalent and access to formal financial services is still constrained.

For small and medium-sized enterprises, the platform reduces reliance on physical cash, lowers transaction costs, and expands access to financial services, supporting business growth and job creation. In Chad, financial inclusion remains low, with only about 10–15% of adults holding a bank or mobile money account, compared to more than 30% across sub-Saharan Africa.

Tarneem Saeed, CEO of Cashi, said, “IFC’s upstream support allows us to adapt our proven, crisis-tested platform to the realities of central Africa. This partnership enables us to work closely with regulators and ecosystem partners, build trust with local merchants, and deliver practical financial tools that people can use in their daily lives, even in low-connectivity environments.”

“Expanding access to digital financial services through innovative, tailored solutions is critical in markets where smartphone penetration is low,” said Olivier Buyoya, IFC division director for West Africa. “This project underscores IFC's commitment to support accessible, low-tech, and resilient architecture solutions that boost access to finance for individuals and businesses in the Sahel more broadly.”

The initiative is aligned with the government’s Tchad Connexion 2030 strategy, which prioritises digitalisation and financial inclusion as key drivers of economic diversification, improved revenue mobilisation, and private sector growth in Chad. It also reflects IFC’s growing engagement in the Sahel region, with a focus on financial services, agribusiness, digital connectivity, and climate resilience.

NEW interactive digital platform

Cassava Technologies and SAAIA join forces to boost AI development across Africa.

Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader with African heritage, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) to deliver advanced artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) across Africa

The strategic partnership aims to bolster AI development by giving SAAIA’s community of over 3,000 AI practitioners—including entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry professionals—access to Cassava’s state-of-the-art data centre GPU infrastructure. This will enable them to develop, test, and deploy AI applications that address local and regional challenges.

As part of the collaboration, Cassava Technologies and SAAIA will also work together on joint initiatives that support the broader African AI ecosystem, promoting innovation, research, and sustainable growth.

“We are proud to partner with SAAIA to support the growth of Africa’s AI ecosystem. By extending our advanced AI infrastructure and capabilities to SAAIA’s growing community of AI professionals, we’re enabling greater access to the compute power required to build, test, and scale innovative local solutions. We believe this partnership will deliver meaningful value to both organisations and, more importantly, to the business and research communities driving AI development on the continent,” said Ziaad Suleman, CEO of Cassava Technologies South Africa and Botswana.

SAAIA, a leading force in South Africa’s AI landscape, is dedicated to promoting responsible AI by connecting AI practitioners from academia, government, private enterprise, startups, and NGOs. It is also the organiser of AI Expo Africa, the continent’s largest AI-focused event, and plays a key role in driving investment in Africa’s smart technology sector.

“SAAIA is pleased to be partnering with Cassava Technologies in strengthening AI in South Africa. Supporting local AI entrepreneurs is a key pillar of SAAIA, and access to GPU-as-a-Service is a key enabler to growing the emerging AI startup ecosystem,” said SAAIA Founder and Chairman, Dr Nick Bradshaw.

The partnership underscores Cassava’s commitment to advancing digital transformation across Africa. It follows the company’s recent announcement of plans to build the continent’s first AI factory, a move aimed at providing local businesses, governments, and academic institutions with access to cutting-edge AI computing capabilities. This initiative aligns with Cassava’s vision of becoming the leading provider of digital solutions across its markets and empowering Africans to thrive in the digital economy.

Top Stories

Grid List

Internet

South Africa maps digital connectivity investment roadmap

Internet

The Development Bank of Southern Africa, working alongside the National Planning Commission, has finalised South Africa’s Digital Connectivity Investment Roadmap to 2035

This extensive study evaluates the country’s progress toward universal high-speed broadband and outlines the level of investment needed to meet connectivity goals over the next decade.

The roadmap highlights key funding gaps, priority interventions and collaboration opportunities necessary to expand dependable broadband access and support the country’s transition to a more inclusive digital economy.

At its core, the research converts national digital policy objectives into a structured, costed and fiscally aligned investment plan for Digital Connectivity Infrastructure. It aligns with major frameworks including the National Development Plan Vision 2030, SA Connect, the National Infrastructure Plan 2050 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

"This roadmap provides the country with a current, comprehensive, costed view of what is required to bridge the digital divide and achieve universal access to digital connectivity by 2035. It outlines a common, evidence-informed basis for coordinated planning across the public and private sector, in order to drive investment and delivery of the roadmap,” commented Commissioner Mark Swilling from the NPC.

From a methodological standpoint, the study incorporates the World Bank’s Beyond the Gap framework together with the International Telecommunication Union’s Universal and Meaningful Connectivity standards. Using scenario modelling and GIS-based spatial analysis, it maps connectivity gaps, while also estimating both capital and operational expenditure under varying economic and policy conditions.

The report adopts a broad ecosystem perspective, reviewing infrastructure layers such as international connectivity, backbone and metro networks, data centres, spectrum systems and last-mile access. It also recognises affordability, digital skills and institutional capacity as essential factors in achieving meaningful connectivity. Reaching universal high-speed access of 100 Mbps will depend on targeted infrastructure upgrades, a diversified mix of technologies and increased investment in rural areas, while affordability remains the biggest barrier driven by income constraints.

“South Africa’s Digital Connectivity Investment Roadmap to 2035 goes beyond policy to deliver a clear implementation framework spanning spectrum reform, municipal capacity, digital skills, universal service, and demand-side support,” stated Boitumelo Mosako, CEO of the DBSA. By clarifying institutional roles and strengthening intergovernmental coordination, the study establishes a practical platform for execution.

To guide implementation, the roadmap presents three defined investment pathways for the period 2025 to 2035:

  • A mobile-centric, least-cost model suited to constrained economic conditions
  • A hybrid approach combining mobile and fibre to balance performance and cost efficiency
  • A fibre-led, high-capacity model aligned with economic recovery and long-term competitiveness

Each pathway outlines trade-offs between public spending, service ambitions, technology choices and expected economic returns. The study also evaluates funding approaches, including public investment, public-private partnerships and blended finance, alongside reforms aimed at reducing deployment barriers and encouraging private sector participation.

Overall, the roadmap provides a practical, evidence-based framework to achieve universal and meaningful connectivity, now requiring coordinated action to fully realise its potential for inclusive growth, improved services and long-term resilience.

AfDB backs Nigeria digital infrastructure expansion with US$200mn loan. (Image source: AfDB)

ZTE Corporation presents AI, 5G and network innovations at GITEX Africa 2026. (Image source: ZTE Corporation)

Mobile

Digitally track and locate tools with Brady’s RFID solution. (Image source: Brady Corporation)

Mobile

Get a real-time list of equipment present in a vehicle and see what is missing versus an established vehicle equipment list. Select missing tools on-screen. Quickly home in with proximity-increasing sounds and visuals on a portable RFID reader

Discover the affordable RFID Scan & Drive solution from Brady!

Have you ever arrived at an intervention without the necessary equipment? Ever lost tools during field interventions? How much time do you spend to make sure all equipment is accounted for, and present in your vehicles? Now you can confirm vehicle inventories digitally and automatically, highlight any missing assets, and home in on misplaced items to quickly complete your vehicles. How much time could you save?

Everything present

Instantly see which tools are present in a vehicle - and what is missing. Easily save substantial time per vehicle, per intervention, with automated equipment inventory checks that take only seconds.

By labelling equipment with passive, battery-free UHF RFID labels, we can let an RFID reader in your vehicle detect which tools and items are present. The RFID reader can check detected tools versus a list of expected items to confirm a complete vehicle inventory or to highlight missing equipment on your phone.

Be fully equipped before leaving for a field intervention. Avoid losing tools after interventions. Don’t waste time checking visually where every piece of equipment is. Just scan, get confirmation in seconds, and drive to your next destination.

Home in on assets

Quickly find misplaced equipment. Home in on specific items with a portable RFID reader and proximity-increasing sounds and visuals.

Passive, battery-free UHF RFID labels bounce back radio signals from a portable RFID reader up to 15 metres. By measuring the strength of the returning radio signal with patented data capture technology, our portable RFID readers guide users towards a unique RFID label applied on a specific tool. When closing in, auditive and visual feedback strength from the reader increases.

Brady RFID vanscan 400x340RFID labels can include an LED, powered by an RFID reader from a 1.5 metre distance, to let a tool light up or to find it in a dense inventory of equipment.

Solution components

Brady develops and manufactures every component in our solution. Tested in in-house laboratories, each component is designed to withstand the wear and tear of field interventions, including exposure to UV, dust and moisture. 

  • RFID labels: Brady offers industrial grade on- and off-metal RFID-labels and tags that stay attached and remain legible on your equipment.
  • Fixed RFID readers: Equipped with patented data capture technology, Brady’s fixed RFID readers collect data on items passing through their read range.
  • Portable RFID readers: With intuitive displays, Brady’s portable RFID readers and SLEDs deliver unmatched mobility, data collection and interaction.

Are you interested in automated inventory checks solution from Brady? Visit our website, watch the short video and download the free RFID labelling guidebook.

Find out more now!

BRADY in Africa
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
T: +27 11 704 3295
 

Financial inclusion grows through mobile money usage

Bringing direct-to-cell satellite connectivity to 4G smartphones in no coverage areas

Satellite

Airtel Africa and Eutelsat OneWeb have achieved a milestone by successfully testing high-speed satellite internet on a moving train across sub-Saharan Africa

Satellite

In a major milestone for Africa’s digital and transport sectors, Airtel Africa has successfully tested satellite-powered internet on a moving train, marking a first for Sub-Saharan Africa

The trial demonstrated how uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity can be maintained over a 669 km railway route through dense forests and remote landscapes where fibre networks and cell towers are unavailable.

For years, railways have been a backbone of trade and travel across Africa, carrying millions of tonnes of goods and countless passengers. Yet, much of this vast network has remained disconnected from the digital world. Airtel’s latest achievement is set to change that reality.

Powered by Airtel Satellite for Business and Eutelsat OneWeb’s low-earth orbit satellite network, the test provided a stable connection throughout most of the journey, even through challenging terrain. Download speeds reached up to 100 Mbps, while uploads averaged 20 Mbps, meeting all the performance targets for the trial.

Connectivity remained smooth and consistent along nearly the entire route, with low latency and minimal interruptions, confirming the technology’s potential for real-world deployment.

This breakthrough opens the door to a new era in African railway connectivity. For operators, constant internet access enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and improved safety. For passengers, it promises reliable Wi-Fi, digital ticketing, real-time travel information, and onboard entertainment, transforming the travel experience.

Following this successful trial, Airtel and Eutelsat OneWeb plan to expand Airtel Satellite for Business services across Nigeria, Zambia, Gabon, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, extending high-speed internet access to some of the continent’s most remote areas.

From mining operations and oil fields to moving trains, this accomplishment demonstrates how satellite connectivity is redefining the limits of Africa’s digital landscape, bringing reliable internet to places where traditional infrastructure cannot reach.

Orange Tunisie rolls out satellite broadband in Tunisia

This initiative utilises the Tianqi Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to deliver advanced industrial connectivity across multiple sectors

Commerce

Africa’s rising digital talent opportunity

Commerce

According to Dr Jannie Zaaiman, secretary general of the Technology Information Confederation Africa (TICON Africa), the wave of global technology layoffs could present a strategic opportunity for Africa to strengthen its digital workforce

As companies in advanced economies restructure around artificial intelligence (AI), the continent faces a strategic decision. It can remain a consumer of external technology, or invest in developing a workforce capable of competing in the global digital economy.

Job reductions across the technology sector did not stop after the initial post-pandemic slowdown. Instead, layoffs have become a recurring feature as companies that expanded aggressively during the boom years pivot toward profitability and operational efficiency. Tight budgets and shifting priorities have pushed many firms to streamline operations. In early 2026, several major technology companies, including Amazon and Meta, continued to announce workforce reductions as part of this recalibration.

Executives increasingly cite AI and automation as factors enabling companies to operate with smaller teams. At Swedish fintech company Klarna, leadership has publicly stated that improvements in AI-driven efficiency are allowing the organisation to rely less on aggressive hiring, instead managing workforce changes through attrition and technological optimisation.

These developments have created a growing pool of highly skilled professionals including software engineers, data analysts, product managers and designers seeking new opportunities. Many are open to remote collaboration, contract work or advisory roles. For African technology ecosystems, this represents a potential advantage. If structured pathways exist, international experts could contribute mentorship, specialised knowledge and project support to emerging local teams.

Africa’s digital skills gap

Africa’s demographic profile provides a strong foundation for digital growth. More than 60% of the continent’s population is under the age of 25, making it the youngest region in the world. However, the education and training pipeline remains limited. A study conducted jointly by the African Union and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization found that only around 10% to 15% of young Africans currently have access to structured digital education. Even fewer, less than 5%, receive training in advanced disciplines such as programming, data analytics or cybersecurity.

At the same time, demand for digital capability is accelerating rapidly. According to projections from the World Bank, sub-Saharan Africa could generate approximately 230 million digital-related jobs by 2030 as digital services expand across sectors.

Research from the International Finance Corporation highlights that this demand will extend far beyond traditional technology roles. By 2030, some level of digital literacy will be required for at least half of all jobs in Kenya and between 35% and 45% of jobs in countries such as Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. In many cases, these will be non-technical positions where digital competence becomes a basic requirement rather than a specialised skill.

The pace at which workplace skills are evolving further underscores the urgency. The World Economic Forum, through its Future of Jobs analysis, suggests that employers expect major shifts in required skills within the next five years as technology adoption continues to accelerate globally. For Africa, the challenge is not only closing the existing skills gap but also building systems capable of continuously updating workforce capabilities.

A global talent opportunity

If layoffs in advanced economies represent a redistribution of global talent, Africa’s advantage lies in its scale and youth population. According to analysis in the Foresight Africa 2025–2030 initiative by the Brookings Institution, the continent could create as many as 650 million opportunities for digital training. This represents a potential market valued at approximately US$130 billion and could support the development of up to 230 million digital jobs.

At the same time, global workforce projections point to a major shortage of skilled labour. Consultancy Korn Ferry estimates that by 2030 the world could face a deficit of more than 85 million skilled workers. If these shortages remain unresolved, the resulting productivity gap could cost the global economy up to US$8.5 trillion annually. This imbalance creates a significant opportunity for Africa to become a key supplier of digital talent, provided investments in training and education accelerate.

Several initiatives already demonstrate what is possible. Google’s Digital Skills for Africa programme has reportedly trained more than 10 million people since its launch in 2017. In addition, continent-wide initiatives such as the Smart Africa Digital Academy aim to equip thousands of government officials and young professionals with digital competencies by 2026. The next challenge is scaling these efforts so that they produce not only certificates but also job-ready professionals with practical experience.

Moving toward a talent strategy

Rather than focusing solely on global technology layoffs, African policymakers and industry leaders should frame the conversation around talent development. Digital skills need to be treated as core infrastructure, alongside broadband connectivity, reliable electricity and efficient logistics systems. Training programmes must also align closely with labour market demand in areas such as software development, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and product management.

The economic rationale is clear. Research from the World Bank indicates that each additional year of schooling can increase hourly earnings by roughly 10%. When combined with digital capabilities, that impact can expand significantly by enabling participation in modern economic sectors including remote services, digital trade, fintech and AI-enabled productivity.

To capture this opportunity, several pathways need to be accelerated. Digital literacy and data skills should be integrated more deeply into secondary school education. Governments and industry should expand public-private bootcamps and apprenticeship programmes focused on measurable employment outcomes rather than simply enrolment figures. Greater inclusion is also essential, particularly by addressing barriers that prevent women and rural populations from accessing digital training.

In addition, structured remote-work frameworks could allow global experts to mentor African trainees while participating in local technology projects. This approach would convert international expertise into sustainable domestic capability.

Africa therefore has an opportunity to move beyond observing the global technology workforce reshuffle. By investing strategically in digital education and talent pipelines, the continent can position itself as a hub where the next generation of globally competitive digital professionals is trained, employed and connected to the wider world.

Vodacom Group highlighted renewable energy pathways and policy reforms to decarbonise Africa’s ICT sector

IFC partners with Cashi to scale interoperable digital payments in Chad. (Image source: IFC)

Power

Mozambique’s energy sector to receive a boost from the African Development Bank following the institution’s participation in Maputo at the Africa50 summit

Power

Mozambique’s energy sector is to receive a boost from the African Development Bank (AfDB) following the institution’s participation in Maputo at the Africa50 shareholders meeting

Africa50 is an investment platform established by African governments with the AfDB, which has now surpassed US$1.4bn in managed assets directed at infrastructure provision.

At the 2025 summit, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM) for the development of three transmission lines under an Independent Power Transmission (IPT) framework.

“This will help support the government’s ambition to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 and become a significant exporter of power across the Southern African Development Community,” a statement released by AfDB noted.

Finalisation of the project development agreements is now underway for three lines under an IPT framework, partnering with Power Grid and EDM, it added.

A separate MoU was also signed with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation to build a new data centre facility in Maputo and to modernise the existing one.

Africa50’s Mozambique portfolio already includes equity investment in the 175MW Central Termica de Ressano Garcia (CTRG) gas-fired power plant.

According to Dr Akinwumi Adesina, president of the AfDB Group, investments by Africa50 complement broader support from the bank itself that have delivered some US$1.6bn to Mozambique over the past decade.

This investment includes US$400mn in senior debt financing for the country's flagship US$20bn liquified natural gas (LNG) project in Cabo Delgado, as well as the US$34mn Mozambique Energy for All Project, which has connected more than 45,500 households to electricity.

The bank claims its energy sector investments have helped to double Mozambique's national energy access rate from 30% in 2018 to 60% in 2024.

The AfDB has also supported agricultural transformation through special agro-industrial processing zones, including the Pemba-Lichinga corridor, while financing critical transport infrastructure along the Nacala and Beira corridors that enhance regional trade connectivity for the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Earlier this year, the AfDB approved US$43.6mn in funding for the construction of the Namaacha-Boane transmission line and related electricity infrastructure

EDM will implement the project in partnership with Central Eléctrica da Namaacha (CEN), a private sector-led development group involving Globeleq Africa Limited and Source Energia that is building the 120 MW Namaacha wind farm in the southwestern part of the country. 

The Vertiv PowerDirect 7100 Energy supplies up to 52 kW of scalable 48 V DC power and delivers efficiency levels of up to 98%. (Image source: Vertiv)

International Power Control Systems (IPCS) has been named as a distribution partner in Malawi by Vertiv, a specialist in critical digital infrastructure

Security

ASM strategies to protect digital assets

Security

Attack surface management (ASM) has seen significant growth in recent years, evolving into a recognised market category that provides businesses with the visibility and strategies needed to safeguard their digital assets, reports Kyle Pillay, security as a service manager at Datacentrix

As Forrester’s Attack Surface Management Solutions Landscape, Q2 2024 notes, ASM “delivers insights on assets that ultimately support business objectives, keep the lights on, generate revenue, and delight customers.”

At its essence, ASM involves continuously discovering, identifying, inventorying, and assessing the exposures of an organisation’s IT asset estate, a foundational step in maintaining a strong security posture.

Knowing your environment

Fundamentally, ASM helps organisations ‘know your environment’, highlighting gaps in defenses before attackers can exploit them.

Every threat actor or hacker begins with reconnaissance, mapping out your external-facing assets. This is why External Attack Surface Management (EASM) exists: it concentrates on what attackers can see. Without viewing your environment through this external lens, organisations cannot know which access points are visible or exploitable, leaving them unable to proactively detect or prevent threats before incidents occur.

First steps in protecting your attack surface

The first step in ASM is identifying external-facing touchpoints such as public IPs and domains. For instance, you might recognise your primary domain (e.g., mydomain.co.za), but visibility into similar domains, like mydomain.com, mydomain.net, mydomain.tech, or mydomain.ac.za, is also crucial. These can be targeted for domain squatting or cybersquatting, where attackers exploit similar names to mislead users and enable phishing attacks.

A strong ASM solution not only maps your current footprint but also identifies domains worth securing before malicious actors register them.

If a deceptive domain is registered, like mydomain-tech.co.za, you need an effective takedown process. International domain takedowns can be complex, requiring a partner capable of legally liaising with registrars across jurisdictions. With the right procedures and partnerships, such domains can often be removed within four to eight hours, limiting potential damage.

Keeping pace with today’s infrastructure

One of ASM’s biggest challenges is keeping up with the rapid growth and sprawl of modern IT environments. While multiple tools exist, none fully match the speed of change, even as vendors iterate frequently, often in weekly development sprints, to maintain relevant detection capabilities.

Beyond speed, perspective matters. While an organisation may have visibility from one viewpoint, attackers do not limit themselves to a single angle. To defend effectively against modern threats, you need to view your environment as attackers do and understand vulnerabilities exploitable from within. This is where distinguishing between external and internal ASM becomes crucial.

External ASM (EASM) focuses on publicly exposed digital assets, whereas internal ASM addresses vulnerabilities inside the network. Internal ASM uses network exposure activity tools to simulate real-world attack techniques, often following frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, to identify weaknesses from the inside. These simulations test whether known attack methods bypass security controls, whether sensitive data can be exfiltrated, whether passwords are weak or compromised, and if lateral movement within the network is possible.

Combining internal and external ASM provides a more accurate view of your security posture, allowing organisations to close gaps before exploitation.

Making the business case for ASM

Cost is often a concern with ASM investments, but when weighed against the reputational and financial impact of a breach, or the risk of sensitive data appearing on the dark web, the case for prevention is clear.

The reality is simple. Without a combination of internal and external ASM, organisations remain essentially blind to vulnerabilities. The ability to identify, monitor, and remediate gaps before adversaries exploit them has become a business imperative.

African regulators in Kenya and Ghana are leading the way, strengthening digital asset safety and trust

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