Telecommunications firms ramp up infrastructure investment in Africa

Major telecommunications operators are significantly increasing infrastructure investments across Africa to meet rising data demands and compete in the digital market.

The United States is preparing a $100 million loan to Africell through the Export-Import Bank of the United States. This funding aims to help the operator acquire mobile network technologies from American and allied suppliers, directly challenging the dominance of Chinese firms like Huawei, which holds approximately 52% of the African 5G infrastructure market. Africell operates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Gambia, and Sierra Leone.

Separately, Airtel Africa has announced a $1.1 billion investment plan to expand and upgrade its network across 14 markets. This initiative responds to a surge in data consumption, which is growing by more than 50% in its operating regions. The company is increasing capital spending to improve service quality and reach the millions of people in its markets who have not yet adopted smartphones or digital services, with Nigeria serving as a primary focus for this expansion.