#telecom

Starlink's attempt to establish operations in Namibia has faced a setback as the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) rejected the company's appeal against a previous licensing denial. This decision leaves Starlink without a means to enter a key telecom market in southern Africa.

According to TechCabal, South Africa's largest banks are adopting mobile services to enhance customer engagement and expand their user base. This shift is seen as a strategy to generate new revenue streams amid a stagnating banking market, as banks aim to integrate more deeply into customers' daily digital activities.

Nigeria's National Communications Commission (NCC) has gained veto power over significant telecom deals, a move it claims will benefit investors. The effectiveness of this new regulation will depend on the NCC's ability to approve transactions promptly, which will be crucial for major players like Airtel, MTN, and Glo.

The National Communications Commission (NCC) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) are intensifying their enforcement regarding changes in telecom ownership in Nigeria. This development is part of a broader discussion that includes topics such as Spiro's $55 million investment in electric vehicles, potential US-Iran peace talks that may affect MTN's frozen assets, and the preloading of DStv Stream on Samsung TVs.

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.

A new submarine cable system, named Via Africa, is being developed to enhance connectivity between Europe and South Africa along the Atlantic. Major telecom and digital companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to initiate the project, which aims to significantly improve the connectivity landscape for West Africa and beyond.