Africa & Middle East Telecoms News
All the latest telecoms insight, news and analysis from across Africa and the Middle East, including BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone.
Weekly Briefings
Vodafonewatch Weekly: Group taps mega-deals with Accenture, Google, e&, more
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem, including an extended deal with Google for GenAI deployment; Accenture-backed reset for shared services operation VOIS; e& tie-up feeds into UAE IoT contract…
People
Safaricom melds IT and network leadership under new boss Maitai
James Maitai heads back from Ethiopia to run Safaricom’s Kenyan network and IT department.
Financial & Performance
BII weighs impact of Safaricom’s shakeup in Ethiopia
A British International Investment report finds that the UK government’s backing of Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia is adding energy to the market, but headwinds make for mixed picture for startup operator.
Weekly Briefings
Infrawatch Weekly: EU to invest in quantum, subsea, and 5G; hurricanes accelerate LEO clearance
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including a new data centre for Manchester; Starlink sat‑to‑cell cleared for hurricane relief; EU heralds €865m spending plans, and plenty more…
People
British International Investment’s CEO steps down
UK government’s development finance institution poaches Leslie Maasdorp from New Development Bank, as O’Donohoe’s seven-year leadership run comes to a close. Read more…
Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone refreshes Google partnership with $1bn, GenAI-fuelled deal
Vodafone and Google get cosier in a renewed $1bn, ten-year deal that focuses on generative AI for consumer and business services.
Weekly Briefings
Vodafonewatch Weekly: fierce MVNO competition in Vodafone’s largest markets
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem as the latest UK merger concessions include MVNO compromise; O2 poaches Lyca from Vodafone Germany; fibre sharing deals signed in Germany while Vodacom South Africa works to push its only fibre JV through antitrust red tape…
Weekly Briefings
Vodafonewatch Weekly: ups and downs for Group M&A projects
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem, including: green light for Italian sale, news from wannabe acquisition Nowo, and TPG’s fibre assets still in the shop window; Fries weighs VodafoneZiggo future; Vi bags networks deal in latest turnaround attempt…
M&A
stc said to be back in Telefónica stake-building mode
Saudi operator reportedly considering increasing Telefónica stake beyond 9.9% should Spanish gov approve September 2023 share purchase.
Weekly Briefings
Vodafonewatch Weekly: UK merger turns a corner, Italian sale hit with fresh challenge
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem, including: closer scrutiny for Vodafone Italy sale to Swisscom; TPG cuts down, adds roaming partner; satellites in focus in African markets, just as SpaceMobile takes flight in US; more from Africa, Europe, and beyond…
Weekly Briefings
Vodafonewatch Weekly: rural 4G, industrial 5G, and patents for 6G
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem, including: 1&1 roaming deal signed and live; a potential Partner Markets entrance to Uzbekistan; SatCos catch Safaricom flak amid call regulatory overhaul; and more from India, South Africa, further afield…