Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group have entered into a network infrastructure sharing agreement in multiple African markets, aiming to accelerate digital inclusion and expand affordable connectivity to underserved communities.
The strategic partnership, which is subject to regulatory approvals in Mozambique, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), will see both operators collaborate on fibre network and tower sharing to speed up the deployment of high-speed internet and digital services.
Under the deal, Airtel and Vodacom will leverage existing infrastructure to extend coverage, improve service reliability, and reduce deployment costs. The move is expected to narrow Africa’s digital divide by bringing faster internet speeds and more affordable services to millions, particularly in remote and rural areas.
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Shameel Joosub, Vodacom Group’s chief executive officer, said the collaboration was in line with the company’s mission to connect for a better future.
“Providing connectivity to empower people is at the core of our strategy. Our partnership with Airtel Africa is a proactive step forward in creating a sustainable, inclusive, and connected digital future for the continent,” Joosub stated.
He noted that the infrastructure sharing model would enable cost-effective services to reach more people faster, supporting Vodacom’s ambition to connect 260 million customers by 2030.
Sunil Taldar, Airtel Africa’s chief executive officer, described the agreement as a business imperative to deliver resilient networks with the capacity to support emerging digital technologies and rising demand for data-enabled products and services.
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“This partnership is aligned with our unwavering commitment to delighting our customers by always making our network available to them even in the remotest locations. Working with Vodacom, we will open greater access to digital and financial opportunities that can transform lives while meeting all regulatory requirements,” he added.
Accelerating the deployment of fibre connectivity is a key enabler in the acceleration of 4G and 5G technologies in Africa to deliver the high-speed, low-latency, and reliable connections needed for modern digital applications.
This partnership allows for further opportunities for both operators to enhance network performance, extend coverage, and increase mobile, fixed, and financial services leveraging a broader footprint on the continent.”
