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In The Spotlight

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.

The satellite network will be integrated with the Yas core infrastructure across its markets

Internet

AXIAN Telecom has announced a partnership with AST SpaceMobile to deliver direct-to-device (D2D) space-based mobile broadband services across Africa, aiming to extend connectivity to remote and underserved regions

The collaboration will enable voice, video, data and internet connectivity to reach rural, maritime and aviation zones that terrestrial mobile networks often struggle to cover. AST SpaceMobile is currently developing what it describes as the first space-based cellular broadband network designed to work directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices.

At the core of the initiative are AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird low Earth orbit satellites, which are designed to provide 4G LTE and 5G broadband services directly to everyday smartphones without the need for additional hardware or specialised applications.

Under the agreement, the satellite network will be integrated with the Yas core infrastructure across its markets. This integration will allow users to access connectivity services seamlessly through their existing mobile devices. The partnership will also focus on developing commercial offerings for consumers, enterprises, Internet of Things applications, maritime and aviation services, as well as emergency response connectivity.

Within the collaboration, Yas will oversee local distribution, regulatory coordination and customer activation through what it describes as a one-click SpaceMobile service.

The initiative forms part of Yas’ broader Data4All strategy, which seeks to expand reliable network access for individuals and businesses across its markets. It is also expected to enhance communication resilience by maintaining connectivity for emergency response operations when terrestrial networks are disrupted.

Speaking on the partnership, Hassan Jaber, CEO of AXIAN Telecom, said, “Our ambition has always been to build a network that works for everyone in Africa, not just those in cities. Connectivity is the foundation on which everything else is built, and there are still too many people and businesses across our markets who are cut off from it. Partnering with AST SpaceMobile gives us the ability to close that gap in a way that was not possible before. Their technology is genuinely different: it works with the phones people already own, which means we can reach underserved communities without asking them to do anything differently. For Yas, this is the next step in making our pan-African network one that truly has no limits.”

Scott Wisniewski, president of AST SpaceMobile, added, “Africa is a critical part of the global connectivity landscape. Together with Yas, we are bringing space-based cellular broadband to people and communities beyond the reach of traditional infrastructure, directly to standard smartphones. This partnership advances our mission to connect the unconnected worldwide and extends the reach of our network across the African continent.”

The partnership will involve integrating AST SpaceMobile’s satellite network with Yas core systems, coordinating spectrum usage and securing regulatory approvals across Yas markets. Once approvals are in place, customers will be able to activate SpaceMobile services through a simplified one-click process.

The service will also be compatible with evolving 5G and IoT standards, supporting future connectivity requirements across the continent.

Exploring new energy supply options for powering the continent’s data centres

Internet

Mourad Younis, cloud and services provider segment leader, Schneider Electric, Middle East & Africa, explores new energy supply options for powering the continent’s data centres

Africa’s digital economy is scaling faster than its power systems. Cloud regions, artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, fintech, health platforms and government digitisation are all driving a wave of new data centres across the continent.

Yet too many of these facilities are still designed around a single assumption: when the grid fails, diesel will save the day. In an era of constrained grids, volatile fuel logistics and tightening Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) expectations, this approach is no longer fit for purpose.

The reality on the ground is familiar to every African operator. Grid instability is the rule, not the exception. Voltage sags and swells, harmonics and frequency excursions threaten both IT uptime and cooling performance. Simply adding more protection devices does not solve the problem if operators cannot ‘see’ what is happening on their networks. Power quality visibility, through advanced metering and analytics, has become as strategic as server monitoring.

At the same time, capacity constraints on medium-voltage (MV) feeders and delays to substation upgrades are slowing down expansion from 5 - 20 MW starter sites to 50-100 MW and beyond. The risk is clear: if power infrastructure cannot scale at the same pace as digital demand, the continent’s cloud ambitions will stall.

Rethinking reliability: grid-to-chip, not genset-first

If Africa wants resilient, competitive and sustainable data centres, the starting point must be a grid-to-chip architecture rather than a genset-first mentality. That means treating the entire stack, from utility interconnection down to the rack, as a digitally-orchestrated system.

On the MV side, digital switchgear with built‑in protection and automation can isolate faults in milliseconds and enable self-healing topologies, improving uptime without brute-force redundancy. SF₆‑free switchgear technologies also remove a major greenhouse gas from the reliability equation while easing permitting for large campuses.

Closer to the IT load, high-efficiency, lithium-ion UPS systems are increasingly acting as both critical protection and grid assets. When combined with static transfer switches and modular low‑voltage distribution, they support selective coordination and enable facilities to ride through short disturbances without falling back on diesel. Layered on top, power quality meters and monitoring platforms provide analytics, alarms and compliance reporting that facility managers and regulators can trust.

This is not theory. Facilities that design for end‑to‑end selectivity, maintain total harmonic distortion below 5 %, keep power factor above 0.95 and hold voltage within a tight band at critical buses see fewer nuisance trips, smoother cooling performance and more predictable SLAs.

Cutting diesel dependence with data and automation

The biggest mindset shift is moving from ‘backup at all costs’ to ‘digital energy management’. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) connected at MV level, combined with UPS ride‑through, can provide minutes to hours of autonomy for most grid events. When operators use microgrid controllers and energy management systems to orchestrate grid, PV, BESS and generators in real time, they can materially reduce fuel burn without compromising uptime.

In practice, this means:

• Using peak shaving and demand limiting to reduce generator starts and spinning reserve.

• Prioritising solar PV during the day to offset low‑voltage loads.

• Dynamically shedding non‑critical loads—such as some cooling or auxiliary systems—during severe events, using DCIM and BMS integration.

• Running UPS and power conditioning in carefully validated high‑efficiency modes while keeping power quality within strict limits.

Indicative results from such approaches show 30–60 % less generator runtime and 10–20 % reductions in energy-related OPEX, alongside substantial Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions savings. For operators courting global hyperscalers and cloud service providers, those numbers are no longer ‘nice to have’ - they are part of the investment case.

Utilities and regulators: from constraint to collaborator

None of this happens in a vacuum. Utilities and regulators sit at the centre of whether Africa’s data centre boom will deepen grid stress or strengthen grid resilience. Too often, engagement with utilities starts late and focuses narrowly on connection capacity. That needs to change.

Early interconnection studies, joint protection coordination and clear roadmaps for 10 to 50 to 100 MW expansion should be standard for strategic digital sites. Data centres are uniquely positioned to offer grid services — reactive power support, fast frequency response and demand response using their UPS and storage fleets. If tariff structures, power purchase agreements and wheeling frameworks recognise this value, both sides win.

There is also a capability dimension. Co‑developed training on power quality standards, protection philosophies and digital operations can help utilities and operators converge on a common language. That collaboration is decisive in markets where policymakers see digital infrastructure as a lever for inclusive growth, but where grid investment will take years to catch up.

Design patterns for Africa’s digital decade

What does a practical roadmap look like? For many African markets, a phased approach makes sense.

Phase 1 (5–15 MW): Focus on power quality remediation, lithium‑ion UPS, modest PV penetration and 30–60 minutes of BESS, underpinned by SCADA visibility.

Phase 2 (15–40 MW): Grow PV to 30–40 % of daytime load, extend storage to 1–2 hours, introduce sophisticated microgrid control and enable demand response.

Phase 3 (40–100 MW): Build 2–4 hours of storage, leverage PPAs and wheeling, provide ancillary services to the grid and expand MV feeders with advanced, SF₆‑free switchgear.

Across all phases, integrating cooling into the energy strategy is critical. Precision cooling with variable-speed drives, tied into building and energy management systems, can support load shifting and typically improves Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) by 0.1 to 0.2 - margins that matter in hot climates and volatile grids.

Africa’s digital decade will be defined as much by electrons as by data. Those operators, policymakers and utilities that treat power as a strategic digital enabler, not just an engineering constraint, will shape where cloud regions land, where AI runs and which economies capture the value. Moving beyond diesel dependency towards hybrid, automated, sustainable energy systems is not only possible; it is now imperative for Africa’s data‑driven future. 

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

The satellite network will be integrated with the Yas core infrastructure across its markets

Internet

AXIAN Telecom has announced a partnership with AST SpaceMobile to deliver direct-to-device (D2D) space-based mobile broadband services across Africa, aiming to extend connectivity to remote and underserved regions

The collaboration will enable voice, video, data and internet connectivity to reach rural, maritime and aviation zones that terrestrial mobile networks often struggle to cover. AST SpaceMobile is currently developing what it describes as the first space-based cellular broadband network designed to work directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices.

At the core of the initiative are AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird low Earth orbit satellites, which are designed to provide 4G LTE and 5G broadband services directly to everyday smartphones without the need for additional hardware or specialised applications.

Under the agreement, the satellite network will be integrated with the Yas core infrastructure across its markets. This integration will allow users to access connectivity services seamlessly through their existing mobile devices. The partnership will also focus on developing commercial offerings for consumers, enterprises, Internet of Things applications, maritime and aviation services, as well as emergency response connectivity.

Within the collaboration, Yas will oversee local distribution, regulatory coordination and customer activation through what it describes as a one-click SpaceMobile service.

The initiative forms part of Yas’ broader Data4All strategy, which seeks to expand reliable network access for individuals and businesses across its markets. It is also expected to enhance communication resilience by maintaining connectivity for emergency response operations when terrestrial networks are disrupted.

Speaking on the partnership, Hassan Jaber, CEO of AXIAN Telecom, said, “Our ambition has always been to build a network that works for everyone in Africa, not just those in cities. Connectivity is the foundation on which everything else is built, and there are still too many people and businesses across our markets who are cut off from it. Partnering with AST SpaceMobile gives us the ability to close that gap in a way that was not possible before. Their technology is genuinely different: it works with the phones people already own, which means we can reach underserved communities without asking them to do anything differently. For Yas, this is the next step in making our pan-African network one that truly has no limits.”

Scott Wisniewski, president of AST SpaceMobile, added, “Africa is a critical part of the global connectivity landscape. Together with Yas, we are bringing space-based cellular broadband to people and communities beyond the reach of traditional infrastructure, directly to standard smartphones. This partnership advances our mission to connect the unconnected worldwide and extends the reach of our network across the African continent.”

The partnership will involve integrating AST SpaceMobile’s satellite network with Yas core systems, coordinating spectrum usage and securing regulatory approvals across Yas markets. Once approvals are in place, customers will be able to activate SpaceMobile services through a simplified one-click process.

The service will also be compatible with evolving 5G and IoT standards, supporting future connectivity requirements across the continent.

Satellite partnership expands African connectivity

Oluwamuyiwa Akinmejiwa explains how data sovereignty laws are reshaping digital infrastructure choices for West African banks

Mobile

Bayobab boosts Mozambique connectivity

Mobile

MTN Digital Infrastructure, operating commercially as Bayobab, has entered into a strategic partnership with Mozambique-based mobile network operator TMCEL to enhance the country’s international connectivity landscape

As part of the agreement, TMCEL has appointed Bayobab as its preferred partner to support and manage international communications, with Bayobab providing comprehensive, end-to-end service management.

Through the collaboration, TMCEL will access Bayobab’s suite of global communication platforms, including International Voice, International Roaming and IPX. These capabilities will enable the delivery of scalable, high-performance connectivity services for both consumer and enterprise customers, supporting reliable international calling and seamless cross-border communications.

“This partnership with TMCEL is a powerful example of how MTN Digital Infrastructure is extending its scale and capabilities to empower African operators,” said Mazen Mroué, CEO of MTN Group Digital Infrastructure. “By extending our global platforms to support TMCEL in Mozambique, we are helping improve the everyday connectivity experience while enabling innovation, growth, and digital inclusion for millions.”

The partnership also represents an important milestone in Bayobab’s broader strategy to collaborate with African operators, offering the same level of technical expertise, service quality and operational support across its entire footprint.

“The partnership marks a transformative step for the country’s connectivity landscape. By leveraging Bayobab’s global platforms and expertise, we are strengthening TMCEL’s ability to deliver world-class voice and roaming services to customers. Together, we are positioning the nation as a key hub for innovation and growth in the region” said TMCEL Chairman, Mahomed Mussá.

Positioned as a public-private collaboration, the alliance reinforces the shared ambition of both organisations to accelerate digital transformation. By combining TMCEL’s local market presence with Bayobab’s international infrastructure and expertise, the partnership aims to build resilient connectivity and drive inclusive digital growth across Mozambique and the wider region.

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

Technological innovation remains fundamental to AMN’s approach

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

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."

Africa’s rising digital talent opportunity

The pilot supports cross border intra African payments for individuals, merchants and traders

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

Integrity360 acquires Redshift in South Africa, boosting cybersecurity services, expertise, and regional expansion

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