Keypoints
- Airtel Africa and Vodacom to share fibre and towers in Mozambique, Tanzania, and the DRC
- The pact speeds 4G/5G rollout, cuts costs, and broadens rural access
- Reflects a growing trend of rival telcos cooperating in Africa
IN a significant move poised to reshape telecoms across the continent, Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group have unveiled a strategic infrastructure-sharing agreement covering Mozambique, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The deal, still pending regulatory clearance in each jurisdiction, targets the joint use of fibre networks and tower infrastructure to boost connectivity, reduce costs, and fast-track the roll-out of 4G and 5G services.
Connecting faster, cheaper, farther
By pooling existing infrastructure, the two telcos aim to scale digital services more efficiently—especially in underserved and rural regions where building from scratch is often cost-prohibitive. This partnership is not just a cost-cutting measure; it is a strategic enabler of faster deployment and more reliable network access.
What leadership says
Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub emphasised the alignment with broader connectivity goals: ‘Through infrastructure sharing, we can provide cost-effective services to more people, more rapidly, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital age. As we fulfil our ambition to connect 260 million customers by 2030, the need for scalable and cost-efficient network solutions becomes increasingly significant.’
On the other hand, Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar highlighted the transformative potential of the tie-up:
‘Working with Vodacom, we will open greater access to digital and financial opportunities that can transform the lives of our customers… Accelerating the deployment of fibre 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.’
Growing trend: telecom rivals unite, not compete
This move follows a rising wave of infrastructure-sharing agreements among African telcos. In March 2025, Airtel Africa and MTN Group signed a network-sharing deal across Uganda and Nigeria, aimed at improving coverage and reducing capital investment demands.
Similarly, Vodacom had previously teamed up with Orange in the DRC to co-build up to 2,000 solar-powered base stations.
Why fibre matters
Fibre is the backbone of modern high-speed connectivity. It enables low-latency, high-capacity networks essential for 4G and 5G, empowering applications ranging from video streaming to mobile banking. Without fibre, advanced digital services falter, especially in rural areas.
What lies ahead
If regulators approve the deal, both telcos can dramatically expand their network footprints while managing costs. The agreement may serve as a springboard for future cross-operator collaborations, further narrowing the digital-access gap between Africa’s urban centres and its most remote communities.
