Telecom Operators

Celtiis, a state-owned mobile operator in Benin, achieved a 4.12% market share during its initial three months of operation, according to the country's telecom watchdog, ARCEP. With 599,727 subscribers, Celtiis entered a market previously dominated by MTN and Moov Africa. Both incumbents experienced a decline in their market share, with MTN dropping from 60.57% to 58.21% and Moov Africa decreasing from 39.43% to 37.66%. Celtiis, supported by the government and Sonatel, aims to bring more competition to Benin's mobile telephony market.

With a bold ambition to achieve 80% broadband penetration by 2025, the Tanzanian government, with support from the World Bank, has embarked on a project dubbed Digital Tanzania in partnership with mobile network operators that will see the extension of broadband services to 713 wards, which translates to 1,407 villages, and benefit over 8.5 million Tanzanians across the country upon its completion.

Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) has proudly announced its pioneering achievement as the first operator in the country to introduce 5G services on a trial basis. Following the necessary approval from the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), the operator has successfully activated 5G base stations in two prominent locations: Clocktower Mall in Blantyre and the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe. TNM plans to additionally expand the reach of these accessible 5G pilot sites to include Mzuzu and Zomba in the near future.

Safaricom Ethiopia, through its newly established and wholly owned subsidiary, Safaricom M-PESA Mobile Financial Services PLC (Private Limited Company), received the Payment Instrument Issuer License from the National Bank of Ethiopia, which enables it to avail mobile financial services to its customers under the trademark M-PESA.

MTN Nigeria has committed to maintaining its 2G and 3G networks, according to CTO Mohammed Rufai.

Vodacom Mozambique, the leading mobile service provider in the country, has announced the launch of its first commercial 5G mobile service in select areas of Maputo, Nampula, Nacala, Beira and Tete.

Airtel Africa, a leading telecommunications company, has reported a 5% decline in profit for the first quarter of 2023, despite experiencing revenue growth.

Ooredoo Algeria maintained its growth in the first quarter of 2023, with positive results in its main financial indicators. In figures, the revenues of Ooredoo Algeria reached 21.4 billion Algerian dinars in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 21.1 billion Algerian dinars in the same period of 2022, an increase of 1.4%.

Henok Teferra Shawl, chief external affairs and regulatory officer at Safaricom, recently took part in a plenary discussion organized by the IFC (International Finance Corporation) focusing on the expansion of digital solutions in the agricultural sector for its future growth.

Safaricom has increased its 5G coverage to 28 towns across 21 counties, empowering its customers in 5G areas to enjoy superfast internet connectivity on the move and for their homes and businesses.