Wim Vanhelleputte, the former head of MTN Uganda, has been appointed as the CEO of Safaricom's Ethiopian unit. His appointment will take effect in September 2023, replacing Anwar Soussa, who has held the position for the past two years.
Telecom Operators
First 5G Network Makes Its Debut in The Gambia
QCell, a Gambian mobile operator, has recently introduced the first commercial 5G service in The Gambia. Initially available in select areas of the capital city, Banjul, QCell's 5G network promises download speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G. However, the company advises users that this increased speed may result in data packages being consumed more quickly.
AirtelTigo Rebrands for Enhanced Identification and Simplicity
AirtelTigo, a telecommunications company based in Ghana, has revealed its new brand name, "AT," and will operate under this new identity going forward. This rebranding effort encompasses all of the telecom operator's sub-brands, namely AT Money, AT Business, AT Premier and AT Insurance. Additionally, the change will be reflected in all future communications, marketing materials and branding initiatives undertaken by the company.
TNM Partners with VOX Solutions as International A2P SMS Gateway
VOX Solutions is excited to announce that it has been appointed as the exclusive gateway for international Application-to-Person (A2P) Short Message Service (SMS) traffic delivery into Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) PLC's network, which is Malawi’s leading pioneer mobile operator. This appointment is the result of an interworking agreement between the two companies, allowing for the direct termination of international A2P SMS traffic to TNM’s network.
Airtel Kenya to Proceed with Necessary IPO Listing
During recent discussions regarding Airtel Kenya's plans for 5G rollout and expanding its telecoms network, Segun Ogunsanya, Group CEO of Airtel Africa, announced that the company intends to list its Kenyan subsidiary on the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) to comply with existing regulations. The Kenyan government, under the Information and Communication Technology Sector Policy 2020, implemented a requirement stating that only companies with a minimum of 30% Kenyan capital can offer ICT services in the country.
Airtel Nigeria to Introduce 5G Network
Airtel Mobile, a Nigerian mobile operator, announced the upcoming launch of its 5G mobile network in the country. With the promise of speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G, ultra-low latency and increased network capacity, Airtel aims to revolutionize the ultra-broadband segment that has been dominated by MTN.
Safaricom Concludes Successful Chapter in Its Journey
Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC announced that Anwar Soussa, the executive officer of the company, will be leaving the business effective July 31, 2023, as his secondment comes to an end.
World Bank Group Joins Global Partnership for Ethiopia's 5G Revolution
Safaricom Ethiopia, a telecommunications company, has received a significant investment from the World Bank Group. This investment comes as Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa with a young population of around 120 million, aims to unlock its immense social and economic potential through a digital strategy. In a remarkable move, the World Bank Group has made one of its largest-ever investments in Africa by providing equity, debt and insurance facilities to support the development and operation of Safaricom Ethiopia's 4G and 5G mobile networks.
Cell C Welcomes New CEO
Cell C, a South African telecommunications company, appointed Jorge Mendes as its new Chief Executive Officer, starting on July 1, 2023. Mendes is expected to steer the mobile operator towards achieving remarkable growth and profitability in the coming years.
Egyptian Telecom Giants Embrace Renewable Energies
Egyptian telecom giants Telecom Egypt, Vodafone, Etisalat, and Orange have recently entered into green energy acquisition agreements with the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA).