Sometimes the most powerful partnerships emerge from the most unexpected places. Vodacom Group’s groundbreaking infrastructure-sharing agreement with Airtel Africa proves that when competitors choose collaboration over rivalry, extraordinary things happen for the communities we serve.

A bold new chapter in African connectivity

Our strategic partnership across Mozambique, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is redefining what’s possible when two industry leaders unite around a shared vision of digital inclusion across Africa.

The agreement with Airtel Africa focuses on sharing fibre networks and tower infrastructure, accelerating digital service roll-outs while reducing costs and improving speed to market. But behind these technical details lies something far more meaningful: millions of people gaining access to opportunities that connectivity creates.

“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,” explains Group CEO Shameel Joosub. This partnership directly supports our Vision 2030 ambition to connect 260 million customers, making scalable and cost-efficient network solutions not just desirable, but essential.

For Dejan Kastelic, Chief Technology Officer, this collaboration represents “a blueprint for sustainable network evolution, one that balances performance, cost-efficiency and inclusive access”. The unique geographic and logistical constraints of Africa’s remote regions make infrastructure sharing a strategic enabler rather than just a nice-to-have. 

The strategic power of shared vision

This partnership’s biggest strength lies in recognising that competition and collaboration can coexist. “Even as competitors, it has become a business imperative for us to collaborate in the provision of critical infrastructure required to build resilient networks,” says Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa.

The shared fibre and tower infrastructure will accelerate the deployment of 4G and 5G technologies, delivering the high-speed, low-latency connections that modern digital applications demand. More importantly, it expands both operators’ reach while creating opportunities for enhanced network performance and broader coverage across the continent.

Earlier in 2025, Vodacom and Orange joined hands to form a first-of-its-kind rural towerco partnership in Africa. Through this partnership, we are collaborating to build, own and operate solar-powered mobile base stations in underserved areas of the DRC.

The initiative will extend network coverage and enable access to telecommunications and mobile financial services to up to 19 million people in less densely populated rural communities, reinforcing our commitment to bridging the digital divide and driving inclusive growth.

These two major collaborations optimise capital efficiency by reducing duplication while accelerating rollouts to meet growing demand – a win-win that directly benefits the communities we serve. 

Our Maziv investment in fibre roll-out

In another bold step towards comprehensive connectivity, Vodacom is planning to invest up to R13.5 billion in a 30% stake in Maziv, the parent company of Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa. This strategic acquisition aims to accelerate fibre roll-outs across South Africa while maintaining our focus on digital inclusion.

The Maziv partnership exemplifies how strategic investments can amplify social impact. Beyond the impressive financial scale, we’ve committed to significant broadband infrastructure roll-outs in previously underserved areas and providing free connectivity services to schools and police stations. 

Digital inclusion in action, from Kenya to South Africa

Our commitment to expanding connectivity spans operations continent-wide. In northern Kenya, our Safaricom colleagues are making remarkable strides through the Universal Service Fund (USF) project, connecting remote areas where finding a signal once meant having to climb trees and hills.

“Safaricom has always used technology as a tool to ensure that no one is left behind, because we’ve witnessed the power of technology,” says Ian Siako, Senior Officer: Technical Regulations at Safaricom. The successful completion of USF Phases 1 and 2 has connected remote areas in Marsabit, Turkana, Baringo and West Pokot counties, transforming how communities access communication, security and administrative services. 

Meanwhile, in South Africa, our regional teams are making equally bold investments in digital inclusion, extending connectivity to deep rural communities and townships. Vodacom Mpumalanga is investing R620 million this financial year, building on last year’s R400 million investment to create over R1 billion in connectivity infrastructure over two years.

This massive investment is expanding 4G and 5G coverage using licensed spectrum, with over 1 300 mobile infrastructure sites now serving the province – 41% connected to high-speed fibre. The impact is tangible: data traffic has increased by over 42% year-on-year, with 90% carried over our 4G networks. 

Reaching the unreachable in South Africa

In KwaZulu-Natal, we’re investing R100 million to build 106 new base stations in deep rural areas, connecting hundreds of thousands of people across 11 district municipalities. This Rural Coverage Acceleration Programme directly addresses the stark reality that half the world’s population still lacks internet access, excluding roughly four billion people from connectivity’s socio-economic benefits. 

“We are focused on eliminating barriers and empowering citizens in rural and township communities to enjoy the same network experience as those in metropolitan areas,” says Imran Khan, Managing Executive for Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal region.

World Bank research shows that a 10 percentage point increase in fixed broadband penetration can boost gross domestic product growth by 1.21% in developed economies and 1.38% in developing ones.

These investments are helping to unlock human potential. From our Easy2Own device financing that helps customers transition to smartphones to smart solutions helping Mpumalanga’s public sector operate more efficiently, every connection creates ripple effects of opportunity.

Creating possibilities through collaboration

“We’re not just building networks; we’re intentional about collaborating to build the digital backbone for Africa’s future,” says Dejan. Our infrastructure-sharing agreement with Airtel Africa exemplifies how strategic partnerships can amplify impact while we stay true to our core purpose.

The partnership allows both operators to enhance network performance, extend coverage and increase mobile, fixed and financial services to leverage a broader footprint across the continent. It’s collaboration that creates possibilities – for businesses to grow, students to learn, families to connect and communities to thrive.

When competitors choose to collaborate around shared values of digital inclusion, everyone wins – especially the communities we serve.

This is how we connect for a better future: together.