Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group are joining forces to share network infrastructure in a move they say will speed up internet access in parts of Africa.
The agreement, which still needs the green light from regulators, covers Mozambique, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It will see the two companies pool resources such as fibre networks and mobile towers instead of each building their own.
Both operators say the plan will cut costs, roll out services faster and extend coverage to places that have been left behind in the digital age.
Vodacom Group chief executive Shameel Joosub called the deal a step towards “a sustainable, inclusive, and connected digital future” for Africa. “Through infrastructure sharing, we can serve more people at a lower cost and do it more quickly. This gives us a real chance to narrow the digital gap and connect communities that have been left out,” he said.
For Airtel Africa, the decision is as much about reach as it is about resilience. CEO Sunil Taldar said working with a rival makes sense when the goal is connecting remote communities. “It’s a business necessity. Together we can bring digital and financial opportunities to people who’ve never had them,” he said.
Both companies also see the partnership as a way to push 4G and 5G further across the continent, with faster, more reliable connections for everything from mobile banking to streaming.
If approved, the deal could be a sign of more collaboration between competitors in Africa’s telecoms sector especially where the goal is getting more people online.
