The market for digital services in Africa is still in its early days. Out of a total population of around 925 million people, in 2007, there were about 30 million fixed lines, over 200 million mobile phone users and over 40 million internet users. South Africa is the most advanced market in terms of digital content and e-commerce, followed by Nigeria and Morocco.
Google is investing in a service to bring internet access to 3bn people in Africa and other emerging markets by launching at least 16 satellites to provide services to the unconnected half of the globe.
The company has teamed up with John Malone, the cable television magnate, and HSBC to set up O3b Networks, named after the 'other 3bn' people for whom fast fibre internet access networks are not likely to be commercially viable.
Reiko Uchida, 10 September 2008
Vodafone has acquired a 70 per cent stake in Ghana Telecom for $900m, in the latest sign of the UK mobile operator’s appetite for Africa’s fast-growing telecoms markets.
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Simon Fox, 04 July 2008
The telecoms scene in Africa is changing rapidly as evidenced by the recent IPOs on African stock exchanges for shares in major cellular operators. Celtel Zambia sold 20% of its equity on the Lusaka Stock Exchange whilst Safaricom, part owned by Vodafone Kenya, released 25% of its shares on the...
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Simon Fox, 16 June 2008