Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group have announced a strategic infrastructure sharing agreement in key markets, including Mozambique, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), subject to regulatory approvals in the various countries.

The agreement marks a transformative milestone in promoting digital inclusion and expanding access to reliable connectivity across Africa.

The initial partnership focuses on sharing fiber networks and tower infrastructure to accelerate the rollout of digital services in these markets, increasing connectivity for customers while reducing operators’ infrastructure costs and improving speed to market.

By leveraging existing infrastructure, the collaboration aims to deliver improved connectivity, faster internet speeds, and more reliable services. This will not only enhance customer experience but also assist with providing access to digital services for a broader population, particularly those in underserved areas, helping to bridge the digital divide in Africa.

Vodacom Group’s chief executive officer, Shameel Joosub, said, “Providing connectivity to empower people is at the core of our strategy. Our partnership with Airtel Africa is a proactive step forward in creating a sustainable, inclusive, and connected digital future for the continent.

Through infrastructure sharing, we can provide cost-effective services to more people, more rapidly, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age. As we fulfill our ambition to connect 260 million customers by 2030, the need for scalable and cost-efficient network solutions becomes increasingly significant.

This partnership provides us with the opportunity to narrow the digital divide, empowering more individuals and communities through digitalization across the continent. It is aligned with our purpose to connect for a better future,” concludes Joosub.

Airtel Africa’s chief executive officer Sunil Taldar said, “This partnership is aligned with our unwavering commitment to delighting our customers by always making our network available to them even in the remotest locations. Working with Vodacom, we will open greater access to digital and financial opportunities, which will transform the lives of our customers while complying with all regulatory requirements.

Even as competitors, it has become a business imperative for us to collaborate in the provision of critical infrastructure required to build a resilient network with strong capacity to support the emerging digital technologies as well as the growing need for data-enabled products and services.

Accelerating the deployment of fiber connectivity is a key enabler in the acceleration of 4G and 5G technologies in Africa to deliver the high-speed, low-latency, and reliable connections needed for modern digital applications.

This partnership allows for further opportunities for both operators to enhance network performance, extend coverage, and increase mobile, fixed, and financial services, leveraging a broader footprint on the continent.”