Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group have entered into a strategic network infrastructure-sharing agreement aimed at enhancing digital inclusion and expanding access to high-quality connectivity across selected African markets. The collaboration, which remains subject to regulatory approvals in the respective jurisdictions, covers Mozambique, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The agreement will see both companies share fibre networks and tower infrastructure, facilitating a more rapid roll-out of advanced digital services while reducing capital expenditure and operational costs. By leveraging their existing infrastructure portfolios, the operators intend to deliver improved network reliability, faster internet speeds, and broader coverage, particularly in underserved and rural areas where digital penetration remains limited.
Vodacom Group Chief Executive Officer, Shameel Joosub, stated that infrastructure sharing represents a significant step towards achieving sustainable and inclusive connectivity. “Our partnership with Airtel Africa is a proactive measure to ensure that no community is excluded from the benefits of digital transformation. This collaboration supports our ambition to connect 260 million customers by 2030, using scalable and cost-efficient solutions,” he said.
Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, described the agreement as aligned with the company’s commitment to enhancing network availability, even in remote locations. “Collaborating with Vodacom will enable us to extend access to digital and financial services, thereby creating greater socio-economic opportunities. Fibre connectivity is a crucial enabler for the expansion of 4G and 5G technologies, which underpin high-speed, low-latency connections necessary for modern digital applications,” he said.
The move reflects a broader industry trend towards cooperative infrastructure use, as mobile network operators seek to address both the financial and logistical challenges of deploying high-capacity networks in geographically diverse and often underserved regions. Infrastructure sharing has been widely recognised as a means to accelerate service delivery, improve resilience, and support regulatory objectives for universal access.
By jointly optimising their network assets, Airtel Africa and Vodacom aim to create a broader and more robust digital footprint in the covered territories, thereby contributing to regional efforts to close the digital divide. The partnership is also consistent with the long-term strategic priorities of both groups to expand mobile, fixed, and financial services, and to foster digital adoption as a driver of inclusive economic growth.
