Nikhil N. Patel

Mawingu Networks Ltd., a Kenyan internet service provider dedicated to serving underserved communities, has successfully secured $20 million in Series C funding to expand its affordable broadband services to rural areas. The round was led entirely by Johannesburg-based Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Managers (Pty) Ltd, underscoring investor confidence in Mawingu’s mission to deliver connectivity where it is needed most. Currently serving over 120,000 Kenyans, the company now aims to connect one million East Africans by 2028. The investment is not just a financing milestone but a validation of Mawingu’s model and impact-driven mission. CEO Farouk Ramji emphasized that raising capital in today’s environment requires resilience and execution, reflecting the strength of the company’s people and approach. With connectivity increasingly becoming a cornerstone of opportunity and development, this funding positions Mawingu as a key enabler of digital inclusion. Mawingu has already begun its regional expansion, having entered Tanzania in 2024 through the acquisition of Habari, a long-standing internet service provider. Backed by $15 million in debt-and-equity financing from AfricaGoGreen Fund, InfraCo Africa, and FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, Mawingu is pursuing a buy-and-build strategy to scale across East Africa. By targeting local ISPs, the company accelerates growth while leveraging existing infrastructure and customer bases to close connectivity gaps. At its core, Mawingu is focused on bridging the digital divide in rural and peri-urban areas. By deploying solar-powered wireless technology and community-based distribution, the company is able to offer affordable services in regions where traditional telecom operators face challenges. This innovative approach has attracted backing from impact-driven investors, including E3 Capital, FMO Investment Management, InfraCo Africa, and Microsoft. With the latest Series C funding, Mawingu will first strengthen its presence in Kenya before expanding further into East Africa. Its mission to democratize internet access aligns with broader efforts to ensure that underserved populations are not left behind in the digital economy. As demand for connectivity grows, Mawingu is positioning itself as a regional leader in delivering affordable, sustainable, and transformative broadband solutions. #DigitalInclusion #Connectivity #BroadbandAccess #EastAfrica #Mawingu #ImpactInvestment #Infrastructure #RuralDevelopment #Kenya #Innovation https://lnkd.in/dGidXRzb

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MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola, has been handed an expanded role within the MTN Group as part of a sweeping executive reshuffle aimed at accelerating the telecom giant’s “Ambition 2025” strategy. Effective November 1, 2025, Toriola will assume additional responsibilities as Vice President of Francophone Africa, overseeing operations in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville while retaining his position as head of Nigeria’s largest telecom operator. “He will assume this revised role as CEO of MTN Nigeria and VP of Francophone Africa, given his prior extensive experience in the role,” the Group said in a statement announcing the strategic changes to its management team on Monday

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Paratus, led by Schalk Erasmus, rolls out Namibia’s first private mobile network Paratus, the pan-African telecom group led by CEO Schalk Erasmus, has launched the country’s first private LTE and 5G mobile network, investing $34 million to connect 50 towns and 80 communities. Skipping older 2G, 3G, and 4G systems, this new network focuses on key transport corridors, including Windhoek–Oshakati and Windhoek–Noordoewer, bringing faster, more reliable connectivity to Namibians. The rollout also marks Paratus’s 20th anniversary and builds on the company’s two-decade effort to expand digital access across Namibia and Africa. With operations in 15 countries and 800 employees, Paratus continues to strengthen Africa’s digital foundations. 📌 Tap the comment below to read the full story.

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++ Finnfund Invests $4M in poa! internet Internet to Boost Affordable Broadband in Kenya ++ Finnfund closed a 4 million US dollar debt investment with Poa Internet Kenya Ltd., a Kenyan internet service provider, to expand its network and improve internet accessibility. The investment aims to support Poa Internet in bridging the digital divide by providing affordable broadband internet to underserved communities in Kenya. “We are excited to support Poa Internet in expanding its provision of high-speed internet to lower income areas in Kenya. At Finnfund, digital infrastructure is one of our strategic priorities. Improving digital connectivity through affordable broadband internet supports economic growth and enables inclusive access to remote work, financial services, education, healthcare, and provides possibilities for small businesses to connect with global value chains. This new investment, supported by the European Union and the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus, underscores our commitment to fostering digital inclusion and economic growth across the continent.” –Kelvin Kiiru, Investment Associate, Finnfund “We are delighted to be partnering with Finnfund on our mission to bring internet access to every home in Africa. Abundant broadband connectivity is a fundamental enabler for trade, education, healthcare and government services. Using Finnfund’s financing and Nokia’s fibre infrastructure we will be able to bring Poa’s highly affordable internet service to even more Kenyan communities and increase their digital inclusion.” –Andy Halsall, CEO, poa! internet “As part of the EU’s Global Gateway, this investment in Poa Internet is bringing high-speed, affordable internet to more under-served neighbourhoods and vibrant communities in Kenya’s cities. It proves that human-centred digitalisation is not just a vision, but a reality—one that empowers people, creates opportunities, and strengthens social inclusion. The private sector is a crucial partner in this journey, helping us bridge the digital divide and ensure that everyone can participate in and benefit from the digital economy.” –Henriette Geiger, EU Ambassador, Kenya 🔗 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dZdsmesG #TechAfricaNews #Finnfund #PoaInternet #AffordableBroadband #DigitalInclusion #KenyaConnectivity #EU4Digital #BridgingTheDigitalDivide

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