Africell receives $100M U.S. loan to counter Huawei in Africa

The Trump administration is providing a nearly $100 million loan to Africell, the only American-owned telecommunications operator in Africa, through the Export-Import Bank. The funding is intended to help Africell invest in mobile network technology from American and allied suppliers, specifically to support operations in Angola.

This move is part of a broader U.S. strategy to counter the expansion of China's Huawei, which currently holds an estimated 52% market share of 5G infrastructure in Africa. The initiative aligns with Washington's efforts to promote non-Chinese telecommunications equipment and secure critical digital infrastructure.

Africell serves approximately 15 million customers across Angola, Gambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone. The company stated the loan will strengthen American technology leadership abroad and boost U.S.-based employment in the telecommunications sector.