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In The Spotlight

David Bunei country leader Kenya Oracle and Snehar Shah CEO iXAfrica Data Centres. (Image source: iX Africa)

Internet

iXAfrica Data Centre Limited (iXAfrica), the largest hyperscale, carrier-neutral, AI-ready facility in East and Central Africa, has been selected by Oracle to serve as the host partner for its Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) region in Nairobi, Kenya

Announced by H.E. president William Ruto in January 2024, the new public cloud region is designed to meet growing demand for OCI services in the country.

Oracle’s decision to partner with iXAfrica highlights the data centre’s unmatched readiness for hyperscale deployments in Kenya. Built to global cloud standards, the facility offers carrier neutrality, high-density AI capability, resilient power architecture, and close proximity to critical connectivity infrastructure. This positions iXAfrica as the only local facility capable of supporting immediate large-scale public cloud deployments. “We are delighted to be in execution mode to bring OCI to Kenya,” said Snehar Shah, CEO, iXAfrica.

“With this collaboration, iXAfrica is leveraging the renewable energy, talent, and abundant submarine and national connectivity available in our market.”

By hosting OCI locally, iXAfrica will enable regional organisations to accelerate digital transformation, deploy latency-sensitive applications, and deliver AI-powered services closer to end users. The partnership establishes the foundation for a resilient, sovereign, and globally competitive digital economy built on world-class infrastructure within Kenya.

“Around the world, governments and enterprises rely on OCI for its security, scalability, and ability to run mission-critical workloads that enable innovation at scale,” said David Bunei, country leader Kenya, Oracle.

“These unique capabilities and our collaboration with iXAfrica will further support the growth of the country’s digital economy.”

With construction, power, and connectivity infrastructure already in advanced stages, iXAfrica is operating at full execution capacity to support hyperscale cloud platforms. This readiness reflects the company’s commitment to delivering resilient and scalable digital infrastructure that meets the exacting operational requirements of global cloud providers.

Starlink faces affordability, adoption challenges locally

Internet

South Africa’s Starlink debate raises questions on affordability, adoption, and opportunities for local WISPsby Jens Langenhorst, specialist RF engineer and vice chair of WAPA

South African media has been flooded with coverage of Starlink for months. Every regulatory update, ministerial statement, or parliamentary objection makes headlines. Amid this intense attention, one question stands out: why is Starlink drawing so much focus?

The regulatory hurdles facing Elon Musk’s satellite service are not unique. Major global technology companies have long navigated South Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) framework when entering the market.

According to Paul Colmer, Executive Member at WAPA, what sets Starlink apart is its requirement for a radio license. Section 9(2)(b) of the Electronic Communications Act mandates 30% equity ownership by historically disadvantaged South Africans, yet SpaceX’s global policy forbids local equity dilution. This conflict has played out in government gazettes, ministerial directives, and parliamentary committee objections throughout 2025.

In December 2025, Communications Minister Solly Malatsi issued a directive instructing ICASA to align its regulations with the ICT Sector Code, which allows Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes (EEIPs) as an alternative to direct ownership. SpaceX has pledged R2.5 billion in local investment, including R500 million to connect 5,000 schools with free internet and equipment. Regulatory clarity now rests with ICASA, and ministerial pressure alone cannot resolve the process.

Yet the media attention raises another question: why the focus on Starlink when OneWeb is already providing LEO services in South Africa through partners like Paratus and Q-KON Africa, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper is preparing to launch? Public interest is overwhelmingly concentrated on Starlink, overshadowing the fundamental issue: who actually needs this service?

Affordability matters

Starlink promises broadband anywhere with fiber-like speeds. But affordability is relative. Pricing in Eswatini and Lesotho indicates monthly subscriptions of R900–R950, plus a R3,800 one-time equipment cost for the Starlink Mini kit. In comparison, FTTH services in South Africa typically cost R950 per month for uncapped 100Mbps, placing Starlink at the premium end of the market.

ICASA’s 2023 report notes 2.7 million fixed broadband subscriptions, 2.47 million of which are FTTH. Households able to pay R950 per month fall largely within LSM7–10, representing 1.3–2.5 million homes. Many of these households already have FTTH or fixed wireless services. Jens Langenhorst points out that the addressable market for Starlink in South Africa is thus limited to incremental adoption, backup use, or mobile connectivity during travel, rather than representing a transformative opportunity.

Lower-income households are being served by innovative WISPs. Fibertime has connected over 250,000 homes with uncapped 100Mbps at R5 per day, targeting 2 million homes by 2028. TooMuchWifi serves over 70 communities in the Western Cape with uncapped internet for over 1 million users at the same daily rate. This starkly contrasts with Starlink’s premium pricing.

Opportunity in Remote Infrastructure

Starlink’s strength lies in areas where traditional infrastructure is not viable: remote farms, forestry stations, villages, and schools. Local WISPs have a major role here. While Starlink has committed to providing free connectivity for 5,000 schools, it is a satellite service, not a full infrastructure provider.

This opens opportunities for WISPs to build networks around Starlink deployments. They can handle last-mile distribution, equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and integration with local systems. As Langenhorst notes, fixed wireless and fiber solutions have historically failed in these regions because they deliver connectivity only to a single point, not throughout entire campuses or farms. Starlink will face similar challenges without local partners bridging the gap from terminal to end user.

Market Context and Competition

Globally, Starlink has over 7 million subscribers, making South Africa an attractive market even with limited uptake. Demand was evident when over 12,000 “illegal” terminals were sold between 2023 and early 2024, despite regulatory uncertainty.

Starlink will serve a purpose, particularly in areas lacking robust broadband coverage. But South Africa is less critical strategically, and competitors like Amazon’s Project Kuiper and China’s Thousand Sails constellation will be ready to enter as regulatory processes conclude.

LEO satellite services will eventually cover significant parts of South Africa, though universal access remains unlikely. Jens Langenhorst emphasizes that success will depend on strategies tailored to income levels and collaboration with local infrastructure providers to turn satellite connectivity into meaningful internet access for schools, farms, and rural communities.

African telecoms and financial companies join global leaders on WorkL’s 2026 World’s Happiest Workplaces list.

Commerce

Several African telecommunications and financial services companies have earned global recognition after being named among the World’s Happiest Workplaces 2026, published by employee experience platform WorkL

According to a recently released report by WorkL, the rankings draw on anonymous feedback from over one million employees across more than 120,000 organisations worldwide. Companies that score 70 or above in WorkL's 'Happy at Work Test' qualify for inclusion.

Africa’s telecommunications sector was particularly well represented, with Kenya’s Safaricom featuring alongside major global operators. South Africa also emerged strongly, with MTN Group, MTN South Africa and Vodacom South Africa all included in the telecommunications and publishing category. Beyond telecoms, Standard Bank was recognised in the financial services category, reinforcing South Africa’s reputation for workplace cultures that prioritise employee wellbeing, engagement and purpose.

Their inclusion places African companies alongside global industry leaders such as AT&T, Telefónica, Tata Communications, Disney and ING Bank, underlining the continent’s ability to compete on workplace satisfaction as well as commercial performance.

Measuring workplace happiness

WorkL’s World’s Happiest Workplaces rankings are based on its Happy at Work Test, a free and anonymous survey that takes employees less than ten minutes to complete. The assessment measures six areas that influence workplace happiness: wellbeing, job satisfaction, reward and recognition, information sharing, empowerment and instilling pride. The final list can be filtered by country, industry and category.

According to WorkL, organisations recognised on the list typically report higher productivity, lower staff turnover and reduced absenteeism.

Commenting on the 2026 results, WorkL founder Lord Mark Price said, "I’m delighted to publish the World’s Happiest Workplaces 2026 List today. Organisations who are recognised report higher productivity, lower staff turnover and lower sick leave as a result of employees being happier."

"Our research shows that nearly 50% of people are unhappy, anxious or depressed at work. It’s our mission to make the world’s workplaces happier, and it starts with acknowledging the ones who are doing a good job."

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

Cassava and AXON leverage AI and fibre networks to deliver Africa’s first real-time, scalable Operator-as-a-Service. (Image source: Cassava Technolgies)

Internet

Cassava Technologiesand AXON Networks have announced a strategic partnership to co-develop, deploy, and manage Africa’s first end-to-end Operator-as-a-Service (OaaS) platform

This collaboration represents a bold step toward unlocking Africa’s AI and digital potential. Customers and service providers will leverage AXON’s AI-ready, real-time, multi-tenant, digital twin-enabled platform across Cassava’s extensive high-speed fibre network to connect millions of people and businesses, opening new avenues for economic growth and innovation.

The partnership was officially unveiled at the Counder Conference 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, the flagship event of the Counder visionary leadership network, which gathers 500 global investors, family office principals, and corporate decision-makers for one of the largest private capital events ever held in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group CEO of Cassava Technologies, said: “As businesses of all sizes continue to digitise their operations, the need is for cost-effective, flexible, high-performance network solutions that reduce time-consuming manual design and configurations. By partnering with AXON Networks, we are moving beyond traditional hardware-centric infrastructure to create a truly programmable, AI-managed network, which will significantly reduce operational costs and increase access to customers and service providers.

“This transformation allows us to treat our pan-continental fibre network as a dynamic digital platform, enabling us to provision and modify customer networks in near real-time, rather than days or weeks. We are going beyond connectivity to becoming a partner in the digital transformation journeys of our customers.”

The AI-first OaaS platform lays the foundation for accelerated digital transformation for African enterprises of all sizes, including telecommunications service providers. It will deliver secure, private, high-speed data infrastructure, providing mobile network operators, LEO satellite providers, and ISPs with unprecedented agility, intelligence, and reach. The platform is designed to help these service providers unlock new opportunities for growth, innovation, and AI adoption.

Martin Manniche, CEO and founder of AXON Networks, added: “Partnering with Cassava, with its unmatched fibre footprint across the continent and investment in AI-enabled data centres, to integrate our Operator-as-a-Service platform with real-time digital twin technology at this scale, is incredibly exciting. We’re not just mirroring networks — we’re virtualising an entire infrastructure into a live AI-driven ecosystem that will leverage this extensive backbone, including Cassava’s planned AI-powered factory, to bring growth, prosperity, and the promise of AI sovereignty to Africa and its people. This is a transformational opportunity to provide the foundational platform for the AI economy across the African continent and redefine the future for generations to come, and we couldn’t have found a better partner than Cassava to bring this vision to fruition.”

Michel Weiss, Founding Partner and CEO of Counder, and Leonard Stiegeler, Founding Partner and Chairman, said: “We are honored that Cassava Technologies and AXON Networks have chosen Counder Conference 2026 as the platform for this groundbreaking announcement. This partnership exemplifies exactly what Counder is designed to foster: trusted connections between visionary leaders that spark meaningful collaboration and drive tangible impact. When world-class organizations come together in Cape Town to advance their work in emerging trends & markets, we see the power of our mission in action: connecting leaders to collaborate on tomorrow's most important opportunities.”

AXON’s OaaS solution creates a living, dynamic model of Cassava’s fibre network, which spans over 110,000 km of terrestrial and submarine fibre, satellite capacity, and wireless connectivity. By transforming networks into self-learning, autonomous, and self-optimising systems, AXON’s Digital Twin technology simplifies operations, accelerates service delivery, introduces cost efficiencies, and ensures resilient connectivity at scale.

Partnership strengthens digital access for timbuktoo University Innovation Pods in Sierra Leone and The Gambia. (Image source: UNDP)

Vertiv introduces Next Predict, an AI-driven managed service enabling predictive maintenance across power, cooling, and IT systems. (Image source: Vertiv)

Mobile

National digital platform transforms Liberia’s payments. (Image source: The Central Bank of Liberia)

Mobile

The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) will launch the Inclusive Instant Payment System (IIPS) on December 16, 2025, a platform designed to facilitate mobile money transfers between Liberia’s two major Mobile Network Operators, Lone Star MTN and Orange Liberia

The launch event, taking place at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, marks a significant step in modernising Liberia’s national payments infrastructure and expanding access to secure, convenient, and inclusive digital financial services.

The ceremony will bring together key stakeholders from Liberia’s financial sector, including mobile money operators, Lonestar Cell MTN and Orange, all commercial banks and financial institutions, government ministries, agencies and commissions, development partners, and international stakeholders.

His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr will deliver the keynote address, reaffirming the Government of Liberia’s commitment to digital transformation under the ARREST Agenda.

The IIPS is a national digital payment platform regulated and supervised by the Central Bank of Liberia. It enables full interoperability between banks, mobile money operators, and other financial service providers, allowing instant and secure transactions across different platforms and institutions.

With the IIPS, both individuals and businesses will be able to send and receive money in real time, whether between bank accounts, mobile wallets, or across service providers. This enhances convenience, reduces transaction delays, and limits reliance on cash.

Why the IIPS matters for Liberia

As Liberia’s digital economy continues to grow, the need for a unified, efficient, and inclusive payment ecosystem has become increasingly urgent. The IIPS addresses persistent challenges such as fragmented payment channels, slow transaction processing, and limited interoperability among financial service providers. By connecting all major players on one national platform, the system enhances trust, transparency, and efficiency across the digital payments landscape.

Expected benefits and impact

For citizens and small businesses:

The IIPS will make everyday transactions simpler and safer. Whether sending money to family, receiving payments directly into a mobile wallet or bank account, or conducting business without carrying cash, market women, farmers, students, entrepreneurs, and SMEs will benefit from faster and more reliable digital payment options.

For government:

The platform will support efficient Government-to-Person (G2P) transactions, including salaries, social benefits, and other public payments. This will improve transparency, reduce leakages, and ensure funds reach beneficiaries quickly and securely.

For the wider economy:

The IIPS strengthens Liberia’s financial infrastructure, promotes innovation, and expands access to regulated financial services across both urban and rural communities, advancing the country’s broader financial inclusion agenda.

The CBL notes that the rollout of IIPS services will continue following the official launch, in close partnership with participating banks and mobile money operators. The Central Bank of Liberia remains committed to improving the safety, security, and efficiency of the country’s payment systems and encourages all media partners to help inform and educate the public about the IIPS and its benefits.

Data And mobile money Drive Airtel Africa performance

Airtel Africa and SpaceX are positioning satellite-enabled mobile connectivity as a critical pillar of Africa’s digital transformation. (Image credit: Tech Africa)

Satellite

LEO services enhance AD Ports digital transformation. (Image source: AD Ports Group)

Satellite

AD Ports Group, a global leader in trade, logistics, and industrial services, has begun the deployment of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services across its worldwide fleet and terminal operations

This initiative represents a major advancement in the Group’s digital transformation strategy, designed to provide vessels with real-time data and ensure resilient, uninterrupted connectivity for ports and terminals. The move is expected to enhance efficiency and support fuel savings.

The rollout commenced this month following agreements signed with two leading global LEO satellite service providers.

Mohamed Jamal-Eddine, group chief information officer, AD Ports Group, said, “LEO satellite connectivity serves as the digital backbone that unlocks the full potential of our technology ecosystem. With high-speed, low-latency communications, we can deploy advanced AI applications for predictive maintenance, dynamic route optimisation, and automated cargo tracking in real-time. This is not just about faster connectivity; it's about creating a smart, resilient infrastructure that maintains business continuity even in the most remote areas. By integrating this connectivity with our IoT sensors, smart port platforms, and AI analytics, we are building a truly connected supply chain that provides unparalleled visibility and control to our customers and partners.”

The phased introduction has started on several vessels within the Group’s 270-ship fleet. With high-speed, low-latency communications, LEO services enable real-time vessel tracking, predictive maintenance, and dynamic route optimisation.

The satellite-enabled digital backbone will also drive AI-powered applications at sea, such as smarter voyage planning, fuel optimisation, and advanced safety monitoring, unlocking efficiencies previously restricted by limited connectivity.

At the port level, deployment is expanding to AD Ports Group’s network of 34 terminals across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southwest Asia. The technology will deliver uninterrupted communications and operational continuity, particularly in remote regions and during critical activities. It will also bolster cargo monitoring, emergency response coordination, and service reliability.

This initiative aligns with AD Ports Group’s wider digitalisation programme, which includes smart port platforms, integrated supply chain systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) adoption. With LEO satellite connectivity serving as the foundation, these systems will now deliver richer, real-time insights and greater automation across the Group’s global operations.

Through the introduction of LEO satellite services, AD Ports Group underscores its commitment to driving digital innovation and sustainable growth in the global maritime sector. The Group intends to continue investing in advanced technologies and strategic alliances to deliver world-class solutions that benefit customers, partners, and stakeholders worldwide.

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

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

Commerce

Arrel launches modular remittance APIs

Commerce

Arrel has introduced a new suite of DAPL (Digital Asset Platform) APIs aimed at remittance operators, offering a modular approach to building and scaling cross-border payment infrastructure

The APIs enable operators to activate individual infrastructure modules, deploy them as needed, and scale capacity in line with transaction volumes rather than committing to fixed, bundled platforms.

The offering is targeted at regulated or regulation-ready remittance startups, as well as established operators looking to open new corridors, improve existing flows, or modernise cross-border payment systems without locking into inflexible, enterprise-style infrastructure solutions.

Remittance services typically depend on a mix of liquidity access, compliance frameworks, treasury management, and settlement mechanisms. As transaction volumes grow and new corridors are added, each of these elements introduces additional operational complexity and cost. DAPL has been designed to support operators that require multiple infrastructure components operating across currencies, jurisdictions, and volumes.

Within DAPL, remittance infrastructure is broken down into core building blocks that are generally required from the outset of any remittance operation. These include multi-currency liquidity access, connectivity to exchanges and liquidity providers, transaction monitoring and compliance tools, treasury controls, settlement logic, and local payout rails for each corridor. The platform also includes a routing layer capable of executing across multiple liquidity venues through a single integration, without the need for an internal order management system. In addition, remittance operations often rely on pre-funded accounts across currencies and corridors, which ties up working capital and increases exposure to FX and liquidity risk as activity expands.

Traditionally, these components are sourced from multiple providers, each with its own commercial terms, technical integrations, regulatory reviews, and operational processes. In many cases, they are delivered as bundled platforms with fixed pricing, minimum volume thresholds, and long-term contracts that apply regardless of actual transaction activity. Maintaining pre-funded balances across markets further compounds capital allocation challenges.

DAPL addresses this by acting as a digital asset orchestration layer that separates infrastructure components and makes them available through standardised APIs. Arrel, which was established in Mauritius, developed the platform to give remittance operators an alternative to single-stack, bundled infrastructure models.

The APIs are grouped into four main functional areas.

The first focuses on liquidity and currency access. These APIs provide programmatic access to liquidity across multiple exchanges and providers through a single integration. Operators can access settlement currencies including USD, EUR, ZAR, XAF and XOF, along with corridor-specific currencies where available. Stablecoins are supported as a settlement option, supported by reconciliation and reporting tools.

Liquidity and venue integrations include Binance, Bitfinex, Bitstamp, CEX.IO, LMAX, Deribit, Gate.io, HTX, Indodax, Kraken, KuCoin, Luno, OKX, Poloniex, VALR and Xago. Settlement is supported on blockchains such as Arbitrum One, BNB Chain, Ethereum, Optimism, Polygon, Bitcoin, Stellar and Tron. Custody options include Fireblocks and native MPC wallets, while compliance tooling is integrated through Chainalysis for KYT and Sumsub for KYC and KYB.

The second functional area covers compliance and transaction monitoring. These APIs embed compliance checks directly into remittance flows, exposing KYT, AML, and KYC or KYB processes. Screening results, risk signals, and audit records are available programmatically, and compliance rules can be applied at the transaction level across supported corridors.

The third area addresses treasury and settlement orchestration. These APIs allow operators to configure treasury wallets, approval workflows, and settlement rules across connected venues. Capabilities include real-time balance visibility, automated fund movements, FX exposure monitoring, and policy-driven approvals, all managed through a central orchestration layer.

The fourth functional area focuses on local rails and corridor execution. Through integrations with regulated local partners such as Xago, the APIs enable payouts and settlement into domestic banking and payment systems without requiring operators to establish bilateral banking relationships in every corridor. Additional payout integrations can be added while maintaining a consistent orchestration, monitoring, and audit framework.

Looking ahead, Arrel plans to expand the platform to include integrations with telecom operators and mobile money aggregators. This would allow remittance workflows to connect with mobile-based payment systems, particularly in peri-urban and remote regions where traditional banking access is limited.

Alongside individual APIs, Arrel also offers modular infrastructure bundles built on these functional areas. Operators can deploy a Core Remittance Bundle covering liquidity routing, compliance monitoring, and treasury orchestration, and then add Corridor Bundles linked to specific payout rails and local requirements. These bundles are designed for usage-based deployment rather than fixed platform commitments.

Under this approach, expanding into new corridors is handled incrementally. Each new corridor typically requires adding a payout integration and applying local rules, while the underlying liquidity, compliance, and treasury infrastructure remains unchanged.

Arrel is a member of the Circle Alliance, signalling alignment with institutional stablecoin infrastructure standards. Working with regulated partners such as Xago, the APIs are intended to operate within established financial and supervisory frameworks.

By offering modular APIs and configurable infrastructure bundles, Arrel presents an alternative model for deploying cross-border remittance infrastructure. Operators can align infrastructure usage and capital allocation with actual transaction activity, supporting corridor-by-corridor expansion while maintaining a consistent orchestration and monitoring layer. This approach is particularly relevant in African markets, where remittance corridors and payout mechanisms differ widely across countries and regions.

African telecoms and financial companies join global leaders on WorkL’s 2026 World’s Happiest Workplaces list.

Vodacom acquires 20% stake in Safaricom, gaining controlling interest in Kenya’s leading telecom and fintech business

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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