Airtel Zambia PLC has teamed up with Impact Capital Africa Zambia and Airtel Money Mobile Commerce to drive small business development and strengthen Zambia’s digital economy.
The initiative promotes financial inclusion by expanding digital payment solutions through Airtel Money’s open APIs, which support USSD, QR codes, and online payments.
Airtel Money Director, Andrew Chuma, underscored the growing demand for digital payments and called on partners to collaborate in advancing innovation and economic growth.
The partnership was announced during a conference that brought together leaders from various sectors to share strategies for SME-driven financial sector development.
Burkina Faso plans to deploy 800 new telecom sites in 2025 to improve network coverage and eliminate underserved “white zones.” The initiative, led by the Ministry of Digital Transition and regulator ARCEP, is part of efforts to enhance service quality in collaboration with operators Orange Burkina, Telecel Faso, and ONATEL S.A.
Of the 800 sites:
250 will be delivered under the PACTDIGITAL initiative
500 will be funded by the Universal Service and Access Fund (FASU)
50 additional sites will be added as coverage gaps are identified, also backed by FASU
The tender process is underway, supporting the government’s goal of achieving nationwide connectivity by 2027.
The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) and the Digital Chamber of Ghana (DCG) have officially announced the departure of Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey as Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber. His tenure came to an end on May 31, 2025, after nearly eight years of dedicated service.
In a joint press release, both Chambers acknowledged Dr. Ashigbey’s instrumental role in advancing the telecom and digital sectors in Ghana and expressed deep appreciation for his leadership and commitment.
“As he steps into his next chapter, the two Chambers wish Dr. Ashigbey continued success and fulfillment. We want to reassure you that we remain steadfast in our commitment to building on the strong foundation he has laid—strengthening advocacy, deepening stakeholder collaboration, and pushing for innovations that grow the industries and lift Ghanaians across all sectors.”
Dr. Ashigbey, a trained engineer from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), previously served as Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Ltd. before joining the Chamber in 2017. Beyond telecom advocacy, he is also known for his media work and currently serves as co-chairperson of the Media Coalition against Galamsey, an initiative aimed at combating illegal mining in Ghana.
Africa’s cross-border payments market is projected to grow from $329 billion to $1 trillion by 2035, according to a new report by venture capital firm Oui Capital. The growth—driven by increased digital adoption, mobile money use, and intra-African trade—is fueled by a 12% compound annual growth rate.
Despite this momentum, the report flags major inefficiencies such as legacy payment infrastructure, double currency conversions, and fragmented regulations, which result in high remittance costs averaging 7–8%, the highest globally.
Mobile money now plays a critical role, accounting for 30% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s remittance flows. In 2022, the continent handled 66% of global mobile money transaction value, reflecting a major shift from informal to formal financial channels.
Oui Capital identifies over $10 billion in opportunities tied to infrastructure upgrades, including interoperable APIs, decentralised FX liquidity, and regional systems like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). PAPSS is helping reduce dependency on USD/EUR clearing, which adds about $5 billion annually to transaction costs.
Cryptocurrencies and Stablecoins are also gaining traction, lowering remittance fees by up to 60% in well-regulated markets. Meanwhile, fintech APIs have pushed fees down to 1.5–3%.
However, limited regulatory readiness remains a barrier—only 55% of African countries support full electronic KYC, constraining the scalability of fintech innovations.
The report urges founders to look beyond simple transfers by integrating services like lending and insurance, concluding, “Africa’s payments race is now a scale game. Those that solve for liquidity, compliance, and cost will define the continent’s digital trade backbone over the next decade.”
Safaricom has announced a $500 million investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure across East Africa over the next three years. The telco aims to accelerate the region’s digital transformation by enabling advanced digital services and driving innovation in key sectors.
Speaking at the Connected Africa Summit in Diani, Kenya, Cynthia Kropac, Safaricom’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, said Africa must move from being a passive consumer to a creator of AI technologies. “Africa has an opportunity to define its own AI destiny… AI will redefine Africa’s future, driving solutions for African challenges like multilingual education, climate-smart agriculture, and mobile health diagnostics,” she noted.
The investment will fund the development of data centres, edge computing capabilities, and digital skills programmes. Safaricom has already trained 5,000 employees in AI fundamentals and is pushing for harmonized data and digital laws across the continent to build a scalable AI ecosystem.
Kropac reaffirmed Safaricom’s commitment to “delivering seamless, intelligent, and inclusive digital experiences,” adding that the company remains focused on enabling socio-economic growth through strategic investments and partnerships.
Burkina Faso has set an ambitious target to achieve national broadband coverage by 2030, as part of its broader digital transformation agenda. The government’s strategy aims to expand access to telecom services and strengthen the country’s digital economy across sectors such as education, health, trade, agriculture, and public administration.
Unveiling the plan at the World Bank Group’s Private Sector Forum on May 27, Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, Minister of Digital Transition, outlined a five-point strategy: promoting infrastructure sharing, eliminating coverage dead zones, reinforcing the national backbone, deploying fiber to homes, and increasing infrastructure investment.
While broadband is seen as a foundation for digital growth, Burkina Faso faces challenges. As of 2022, only 58% of the population had 3G access, and 39.4% had 4G, while 2G covered 92.6%. The UN’s 2024 telecom infrastructure index scored the country at 0.3640 out of 1, and the ITU ranked it 43rd out of 47 African nations in ICT development.
The government acknowledges that achieving meaningful connectivity also requires affordable devices, digital literacy, and accessible services.
The Ministry of Technology and Science, in partnership with the Zambia Information and Communications Authority (ZICTA), has commissioned a new communication tower in Kalunkumya village, Mpongwe District. The initiative aims to enhance network coverage and drive digital inclusion in rural Zambia.
According to the Ministry, the new infrastructure is expected to stimulate local economic activity, improve emergency communication, and support mobile banking and other e-payment services.
“We are not only connecting people, but also their aspirations, knowledge, and future opportunities,” said Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati. He emphasized that connectivity in Mpongwe—an important agricultural zone—will enable access to market information, digital extension services, and improve transparency in government programmes like the Farmer Input Support Programme and social cash transfers.
ZICTA Director General Collins Mbulo highlighted the tower as part of a broader strategy to bridge the digital divide. “We are investing in a sustainable ecosystem of digital inclusion—one that also addresses the need for devices, digital literacy, and online safety,” he noted, adding that ZICTA is working closely with the Ministry of Education to support initiatives such as the digital curriculum.
MTN’s mobile money (MoMo) in South Sudan has teamed with Onafriq, a pan-African payments provider, to offer inbound international remittance services.
According to MTN MoMo, consumers in the East African country can receive money from 15 countries, including the UAE, Uganda, Kenya, the United States, and Australia, and the Onafriq collaboration provides a handy option for users who want to send money home from the diaspora.
This comes as the MTN Group announced its expansion of its international remittances capabilities by launching 25 additional wallet corridors in 10 new countries.
The company said the expansion of international remittance services is meant to promote financial inclusion and empower individuals, including those without traditional bank accounts, to access formal financial services.
Commenting on the partnership, Francis Matseketsa, CEO of fintech, MTN South Sudan, said, “We are not stopping. We are at it again with a strategic partnership with Onafriq, as we provide convenience to customers who want to send money back home from the diaspora.”
MTN Group has been inducted into the inaugural Brand Africa Hall of Fame “in recognition of its transformational impact on African consumers and its role in shaping a positive African narrative”. MTN was also recognised as the #1 Most Admired African Brand Contributing to a Better Africa; the #1 Most Admired African Brand (spontaneous recall); the #1 Most Admired Brand Doing Good for Society and the Environment; and #1 Most Admired Telecommunications Brand.
The Hall of Fame honour, introduced this year by Brand Africa, acknowledges brands that have demonstrated sustained excellence and influence on the continent over the past decade. MTN’s induction reflects its ongoing commitment to enabling digital access, expanding financial inclusion, and contributing meaningfully to Africa’s development.
The announcement was made alongside the release of the 2025 edition of the Brand Africa 100 rankings – an annual, independently conducted survey spanning more than 30 African countries and representing more than 85% of the continent’s population and GDP.
“It is an honour to be inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame and to be named the most admired African brand contributing to a better Africa, the most admired African brand by spontaneous recall, as well as the brand most admired for doing good for society and the environment,” said Ralph Mupita, MTN Group President and CEO.
“That this recognition comes during Africa Month gives it added significance. It reflects the progress we continue to make as a continent and the role trusted brands must play in advancing inclusive, digitally enabled growth. We are grateful for the confidence placed in MTN by the people we serve and remain committed to delivering meaningful impact.”
Mupita also acknowledged the collective effort behind the brand’s success, thanking MTNers, partners, and other stakeholders across the continent for their role in making this recognition possible.
MTN operates mobile networks in 16 countries. Since 2021, the company has been guided by its Ambition 2025 strategic intent of Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress. This underscores MTN’s commitment to driving digital and financial inclusion and fostering innovation across the continent.
Further validating its brand leadership, MTN was recently ranked once again as South Africa’s most valuable brand. The accolade was made in the 2025 Brand Finance Top 100 Report, which accorded MTN a brand valuation of R50.7 billion. MTN has held this position every year since the survey’s inception in 2012.
Most admired Telecommunications Brands
Most Admired African Brands
Most admired brands – Doing good for society and the environment.
Microsoft has launched its Regional Cybersecurity Advancement (ARC) Initiative in Kenya, marking a major step in its effort to bolster cybersecurity across Africa.
The program, officially unveiled in Nairobi on May 15, brings together Kenyan authorities, private sector partners, and the National Cybersecurity Coordination Committee (NC4). It aims to strengthen digital resilience through cyber incident simulations, risk management tools, and multi-stakeholder collaboration focused on prevention and response.
The ARC Initiative builds on the Accra Call of 2023, which advocated for global cooperation to support countries in the Global South facing rising cyber threats amid digital transformation. With Kenya’s digital ecosystem growing rapidly, it has become a testbed for scalable cyber defense models.
Recent figures highlight the urgency: over 860 million cyberattack attempts targeted Kenya in 2023, with an additional 20 million attempts reported so far in 2024. Critical sectors such as public services and telecoms remain prime targets.
Through ARC, Microsoft seeks to help governments across the continent confront cyber threats while promoting a broader network of regional cooperation.
