📱Nigeria Telecoms OPEX hits ₦5.85 Trillion

Good Morning Valued Subscribers👋

Every so often, a headline drops that doesn’t just speak to innovation, but to the tension that defines Africa’s digital journey. This week, Nigeria’s telecom industry revealed an alarming truth — operating costs have exploded to ₦5.85 trillion, an 85% surge in just a year, threatening to derail the country’s broadband ambitions. Behind the scenes, operators are struggling with inflation, forex shocks, and the long-standing Right-of-Way crisis that still divides the nation’s connectivity map.

And yet, in the same week, another story offered a glimpse of what’s possible. Airtel Money unveiled a new cloud-native fintech platform, designed to power 50 million users across Africa with faster, more secure, and more inclusive digital services.

It’s a reminder of the dual reality we live in — where one part of the ecosystem fights to survive, another is building the future. Growth, it seems, is both a battle and a breakthrough.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

📱 Nigeria’s Telecom Costs Hit ₦5.85 Trillion as RoW Challenges Threaten Broadband Expansion
☁️ Airtel Money Goes Cloud-First to Power Africa’s Next Fintech Wave
🏦 Standard Bank Powers R23 Billion Deal to Take Over Barloworld
💵 SolarSaver Bags $60M to Power Up Africa’s SMEs with Clean Energy
💵 BII and BlueOrchard Unite to Unlock $250M for Climate Action
💰IFC Powers Up Clean Energy with $20M Bet on Actis Fund

⚖️ TELECOMS

Nigeria’s Telecom Costs Hit ₦5.85 Trillion as RoW Challenges Threaten Broadband Expansion

Nigeria’s telecom sector is in crisis as operating costs (OPEX) surged 85% to ₦5.85 trillion in 2024, up from ₦3.16 trillion in 2023, according to the NCC. Despite ₦7.67 trillion in revenue, rising expenses and a 159% jump in capital costs driven by exchange rate unification have left operators struggling.

The unresolved Right-of-Way (RoW) fee crisis remains the biggest obstacle, with some states charging over ₦9,000 per meter, compared to the ₦145 national cap. Eleven “digital-enabler” states have waived fees entirely, spurring faster broadband rollout.

However, infrastructure vandalism and fibre cuts persist, with over 19,000 incidents in 2025. Experts warn that Nigeria’s 70% broadband penetration target by 2025 is now at risk, urging federal enforcement of harmonized RoW policies to prevent deepening the nation’s digital divide.......…..…continue reading

☁️CLOUD

Airtel Money Goes Cloud-First to Power Africa’s Next Fintech Wave

Airtel Money is taking a bold leap into the future of fintech with the launch of its cloud-native platform, built on Comviva’s mobiquity Pay. The upgrade isn’t just about better tech — it’s a full digital transformation designed to serve nearly 50 million users across Africa.

Starting in Kenya and expanding to other markets soon, the new platform packs 50+ advanced features and 120+ open APIs, making it easier for Airtel Money to partner, innovate, and scale fast. It also brings stronger security, smoother cross-border transfers, and a more seamless user experience.

Airtel Money CEO Ian Ferrao calls it a “complete transformation” that will drive financial inclusion and open new opportunities for individuals and businesses across the continent. In short, Airtel Money isn’t just upgrading — it’s building the future of mobile finance in Africa.........…..…continue reading

🏦 BANKING

Standard Bank Powers R23 Billion Deal to Take Over Barloworld

Standard Bank just pulled off one of South Africa’s biggest business moves of the year — helping a new consortium, NewCo, acquire industrial giant Barloworld in a massive R23 billion (US$1.3 billion) deal.

The bank didn’t just fund the purchase — it was advisor, underwriter, bookrunner, and guarantee provider all in one, proving why it’s Africa’s financial powerhouse. The acquisition brings together South Africa’s Sewela family (through Entsha Proprietary Limited) and Saudi Arabia’s Zahid Group, marking the largest private-sector Saudi investment into South Africa to date.

Beyond the big numbers, this deal signals growing Gulf investment confidence in Africa, while creating a majority black-owned enterprise that will keep the Barloworld name and South African roots.............…..…continue reading

💵 FUNDING

SolarSaver Bags $60M to Power Up Africa’s SMEs with Clean Energy

South Africa’s SolarSaver just raised a whopping $60 million to help small and medium businesses across Southern Africa switch to affordable solar power — no upfront cost required.

The company already runs over 700 solar and battery systems generating around 140 MW of clean energy. With this new funding, SolarSaver plans to expand its footprint in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia, giving more SMEs a reliable, cost-saving alternative to unstable grid power.

The investment comes from Inspired Evolution, FMO (the Dutch development bank), and Swedfund (Sweden’s development finance arm) — all backing SolarSaver’s mission to make renewable energy accessible for businesses and boost climate-friendly growth in the region........…..…continue reading

• Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship Programme 2026 — A 12‑month fellowship for emerging African leaders, based in Addis‑Ababa.

• AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Programme 2026 (for African PhD students) — Funded fellowship combining online and on‑site study at University of Johannesburg for research in innovation & development.

• Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) Sub‑Saharan Scholarship 2026 — Fully funded scholarship for African students to pursue studies in Germany.

• African Astronomical Society Seed Research Grant — Supports early-career researchers in Africa conducting astronomy and astrophysics-related projects.

• D-Prize Challenge 2026/2027 — Provides up to $20,000 in seed funding to help social entrepreneurs pilot and scale solutions that fight poverty in low-income regions.

💵 FUNDING

BII and BlueOrchard Unite to Unlock $250M for Climate Action

In a major boost for global climate finance, British International Investment (BII) is teaming up with BlueOrchard Finance to launch a new Climate Action Mobilisation Fund (BOCAMF) aimed at channeling insurance capital into climate projects across emerging markets.

The fund uses an innovative blended finance model, with BII serving as the anchor investor to help attract big insurance companies by offering both junior and senior equity tranches — making the investment safer and more appealing.

With a target of over $250 million, the fund will provide loans to banks and microfinance institutions that support SMEs working on climate solutions, helping to strengthen local economies while cutting emissions.

As BII CEO Leslie Maasdorp put it, meeting the world’s climate goals means mobilizing private capital at scale, and this partnership is a bold step in that direction. BlueOrchard’s CEO Michael Wehrle added that the fund gives insurers and institutional investors a way to make a real climate impact while earning solid returns........…continue reading

💰INVESTMENTS

IFC Powers Up Clean Energy with $20M Bet on Actis Fund

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is doubling down on clean energy. It just announced a $20 million investment in the Actis Energy 6 Fund — part of a broader plan that could see up to $200 million funneled into renewable projects across emerging markets.

The Actis Energy 6 Fund itself is massive — aiming to raise $6 billion to back everything from solar farms and power grids to new energy tech in regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

By partnering with Actis, IFC isn’t just chasing returns — it’s backing a cleaner, more reliable energy future while boosting jobs and economic growth where power demand is rising fastest.........…continue reading

OTHER STORIES

• FEDA invests $300M in A2MP to boost Africa’s mining and processing…continue reading

• Digital lender Lula secures IFC funding to expand access for underserved businesses….continue reading

• TLG Capital provides $10 million private credit facility to drive insurance sector growth in Ghana………continue reading

• Vodacom Partners with Starlink to Expand Internet Access in Africa….continue reading

• Google Pixel Update Adds AI Edits and Battery-Saving Maps Mode….continue reading

• YouTube’s New Ad Blocker Crackdown Is Breaking Desktop Streaming for Millions….continue reading

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