Ayub Osman

Mawingu Networks Ltd., a Kenyan internet service provider dedicated to serving underserved communities, has successfully secured $20 million in Series C funding to expand its affordable broadband services to rural areas. The round was led entirely by Johannesburg-based Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Managers (Pty) Ltd, underscoring investor confidence in Mawingu’s mission to deliver connectivity where it is needed most. Currently serving over 120,000 Kenyans, the company now aims to connect one million East Africans by 2028. The investment is not just a financing milestone but a validation of Mawingu’s model and impact-driven mission. CEO Farouk Ramji emphasized that raising capital in today’s environment requires resilience and execution, reflecting the strength of the company’s people and approach. With connectivity increasingly becoming a cornerstone of opportunity and development, this funding positions Mawingu as a key enabler of digital inclusion. Mawingu has already begun its regional expansion, having entered Tanzania in 2024 through the acquisition of Habari, a long-standing internet service provider. Backed by $15 million in debt-and-equity financing from AfricaGoGreen Fund, InfraCo Africa, and FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, Mawingu is pursuing a buy-and-build strategy to scale across East Africa. By targeting local ISPs, the company accelerates growth while leveraging existing infrastructure and customer bases to close connectivity gaps. At its core, Mawingu is focused on bridging the digital divide in rural and peri-urban areas. By deploying solar-powered wireless technology and community-based distribution, the company is able to offer affordable services in regions where traditional telecom operators face challenges. This innovative approach has attracted backing from impact-driven investors, including E3 Capital, FMO Investment Management, InfraCo Africa, and Microsoft. With the latest Series C funding, Mawingu will first strengthen its presence in Kenya before expanding further into East Africa. Its mission to democratize internet access aligns with broader efforts to ensure that underserved populations are not left behind in the digital economy. As demand for connectivity grows, Mawingu is positioning itself as a regional leader in delivering affordable, sustainable, and transformative broadband solutions. #DigitalInclusion #Connectivity #BroadbandAccess #EastAfrica #Mawingu #ImpactInvestment #Infrastructure #RuralDevelopment #Kenya #Innovation https://lnkd.in/dGidXRzb

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Vodacom Tanzania has reported Sh90.5 billion profit after tax for the year ended March 31, 2025, as the company implemented cost efficiency initiatives amid growing service revenue. Service revenue grew by 20.5% to Shl.5 trillion, driven by rising demand for mobile financial services and data, according to the company which held its annual general meeting yesterday. Vodacom said it also added three million new customers during the year, bringing its total user base to 22.6 million. The telecom operator's annual general meeting, held in Dar es Salaam yesterday, heard that net profit after tax rose by 69.4% to Sh90.5 billion, supported by cost efficiency measures that saved the company Sh59 billion. M-Pesa continued to dominate as the largest growth driver, with revenue up 29.3%. Transaction value grew by 33.8% year-on-year, while the "Lipa kwa Simu" digital payment platfor processed over Sh1 trillion each month. New financial services such as M-Koba, a group savings platform and M-Wekeza, a mobile wealth management product, also gained traction. M-Koba is now used by more than 1.3 million customers, while M-Wekeza attracted nearly Sh25 billion in deposits within months of launch. The company's Songesha overdrafts disbursed over Sh3 trillion, supporting customers and merchants across Tanzania. Vodacom's mobile data revenue increased by 21.6%, supported by a 33.4%rise in smartphone penetration and the rollout of 471 new 4G sites, including 126 in underserved areas in collaboration with the government through the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF). Following a surge in profit and revenue, the company shareholders approved a 69.3% increase in dividend.

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Paratus launches Namibia’s first private mobile network In a landmark moment for Namibia’s digital landscape, Paratus has introduced a fully integrated LTE and 5G mobile network, setting a new standard for connectivity across the country. Celebrating 20 years of operations in Namibia, this launch reflects Paratus’s bold vision to drive digital transformation, empower businesses and communities, and deliver seamless, affordable and reliable connectivity solutions. It’s not just a network launch — it’s the beginning of a new era in mobile innovation for Namibia. 🔗 Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/dUPcDp52 #ParatusNamibia #DigitalTransformation #Connectivity #Innovation #5G #LTE #Telecommunications #ParatusGroup

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TANZANIA NEEDS POLICY CERTAINTY, BETTER DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE I asked Vodacom Tanzania CEO Philip Besiimire to list the biggest challenges the industry faces today, that, if addressed, would propel the telecom industry to new heights. He said that policy certainty; predictability in regulations, and taxes is crucial for long-term planning and investment confidence. While dialogue with the government has improved significantly, there’s room for greater efficiency. Infrastructure investment: To achieve a modern digital economy, Tanzania must accelerate the rollout of infrastructure nationwide. Finally, the economics of the industry need improvement. Despite Tanzania's strong performance, our returns are still lower compared to peers in the region.

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