Safaricom Ethiopia has surpassed 15 million 90-day active subscribers less than four years after launching commercial operations in October 2022, according to TechTrends KE. The milestone confirms the operator has built a sizeable customer base in one of Africa's largest and most challenging markets. However, attention is now shifting to whether the company can convert its rapid subscriber growth into a profitable and commercially sustainable business.

According to the latest TCRA report, Tanzania's telecom subscriptions reached 111.9 million in the first quarter of 2026, with significant growth in mobile, internet, and mobile money services. 5G population coverage increased to 32.83%, while internet data traffic rose by 15.3% to 932 petabytes. Mobile money accounts reached 80.98 million, internet subscriptions hit 58.9 million, and smartphone penetration rose to 42.5%, indicating a strong demand for broadband and digital financial services.

Kenya's active SIM subscriptions increased by 5.7 million, reaching a total of 84.1 million in early 2026. The surge in subscriptions is analyzed to understand the underlying factors contributing to this growth, according to Tech-ish.

Paratus Uganda has become the first provider in Uganda to launch Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite service after the Uganda Communications Commission and Starlink signed a memorandum of understanding and operational licence agreement on May 15, 2026. The launch targets enterprise customers with high-speed, low-latency satellite connectivity and positions Starlink’s LEO service in the country through Paratus Uganda’s rollout.

Vodacom has gained majority control of Safaricom, acquiring a 55% stake in the company. This development comes alongside the Communications Authority's decision to penalise telecommunications companies for subpar service. Additionally, MTN has stated that protests regarding migration have not affected its operations, according to Techpoint Africa.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) allocated spectrum for commercial 5G services in 2023, highlighting that the technology's potential extends beyond faster internet. However, businesses in Uganda have yet to fully leverage the capabilities of 5G, which could transform various sectors. The article explores the reasons behind this underutilization.