Report Coverage
This report covers the Southern African information technology and telecommunications sector (excluding South Africa, which is covered in a separate report) and includes Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It reviews the industry value chain, geographic positioning, and market size, as well as the sector's current state, key trends, challenges, notable players, trade flows, corporate actions, regulations, and enterprise development initiatives. Regional and global perspectives are incorporated through dedicated sections on Africa and international markets, highlighting cross-border dynamics and comparative positioning. The report further explores factors such as unforeseen events, macroeconomic conditions, labour, environmental issues, technology and innovation, government support, spectrum management, cybersecurity, crime and safety, cyclicality, and input costs. A review of the competitive environment covers market competition, ownership structures, and barriers to entry. More than 80 companies are profiled, including Airtel, Leo, MTN, Orange, Paratus, Sparc Systems, Vodacom, the West Indian Ocean Cable Company, and the AXIAN Group.
Introduction
• Southern Africa’s rapidly growing information technology and telecommunications sector is supporting economic development and digital transformation across the region.
• Formerly dominated by state-controlled monopolies, telecommunications in Southern Africa has evolved into a competitive sector with private and multinational operators, expanding connectivity, improving service quality, and enabling broader access to digital services.
• Growth is driven mainly by mobile telecommunications, as mobile networks are the primary source of internet access given limited fixed-line infrastructure. Expansion is supported by sustained investment in mobile broadband (3G, 4G and 5G), fibre-optic networks, and international submarine cable systems such as 2Africa and Equiano.
• Despite challenges such as high costs, skills shortages and infrastructure gaps, the industry remains a key driver of regional integration, innovation and economic growth in Southern Africa.
• The sector generated estimated revenue of just over US$27bn in 2025, growing by 9.7% year-on-year, while the total value of assets (including fibre networks, telecommunications infrastructure, data centres, submarine cable systems, and digital equipment and infrastructure) was estimated to exceed US$46bn.
Trends
• Cross border fibre connectivity is expanding, enabling regional digital trade and supported by increasing regulatory harmonisation across markets.
• Digital government services are expanding, with e government platforms streamlining public service delivery and improving transparency.
• Digital skills development programmes are expanding, equipping the workforce with ICT capabilities and strengthening innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.
• E commerce and online retail are growing rapidly, with social commerce rising in popularity.
• Enterprise IT services are growing steadily, as businesses increasingly adopt cloud computing solutions, managed services, and digital platforms to improve efficiency, security, and scalability.
• Expansion of data centre infrastructure is accelerating, strengthening digital capacity, supporting cloud services, and enabling more resilient ICT systems.
• Fintech services are expanding rapidly, with mobile money and digital payments driving growth.
• Increasing demand for AI, big data analytics, automation technologies and IoT solutions.
• Increasing demand for cybersecurity solutions and implementation of data protection and privacy regulations.
• Internet penetration rates are increasing.
• Investment in fibre optic infrastructure and infrastructure sharing is increasing, expanding network capacity, lowering costs, and fostering more efficient and inclusive digital connectivity.
• Mobile broadband networks and fixed wireless access are expanding, boosting coverage, improving speeds, and enabling wider access to advanced digital services.
• Rural connectivity initiatives continue to be rolled out, with satellite broadband, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, extending coverage to underserved areas.
• Smartphone adoption is growing, expanding access to digital platforms, accelerating mobile money usage, and driving the uptake of e commerce, social media, and app based services.
• Submarine cable connectivity is expanding, enhancing international bandwidth, lowering data costs, and strengthening regional digital integration.
• Technology startups and innovation hubs are growing rapidly, creating new ecosystems for entrepreneurship, attracting investment, and driving digital solutions across sectors.
Opportunities
• AI and emerging technologies.
• Broadband and fibre infrastructure expansion.
• Business process outsourcing (BPO) and ICT services.
• Cybersecurity services.
• Data centres and cloud computing.
• Digital skills development and ICT training.
• E-government and digital public services.
• Fintech and digital financial services.
• Growth of mobile data services.
• Internet of Things (IoT) and smart technologies.
• Mobile virtual network operators.
• Regional digital integration
• Renewable energy solutions for telecom networks.
• Rural connectivity and Infrastructure
• Submarine cables and international connectivity.
Challenges
• Dependence on cross-border fibre networks and international bandwidth.
• Energy and power supply constraints.
• Financing for startups is difficult to access.
• Fragmented regulatory frameworks
• High capital expenditure.
• High cost of internet access.
• Inadequate cybersecurity and data protection.
• Inadequate digital infrastructure.
• Insufficient last-mile connectivity.
• Limited adoption of AI, advanced analytics and IoT solutions.
• Limited digital literacy and ICT skills, and a shortage of advanced digital skills.
• Limited harmonisation of ICT regulations.
• Limited integration of regional digital infrastructure.
• Low levels of digital inclusion and access.
• Low R&D investment.
• Network congestion.
• Slow rollout of 5G networks.
• Telecom networks often have limited backup systems and weak resilience, making them more vulnerable to disruptions.
• Underdeveloped data centre and cloud ecosystems.
Outlook
• The outlook for the Southern African information technology and telecommunications industry is positive, with countries embracing ICT to drive economic growth, improve productivity and support regional integration.
• Rising demand for mobile broadband, fibre?optic infrastructure, cloud computing, fintech and emerging technologies is expected to stimulate significant growth and transform the sector over the next decade.
• Mobile phones remain the primary gateway to internet access, with expanding fibre networks and submarine cables improving connectivity and reducing costs. Data centre growth, fintech adoption and international bandwidth expansion further strengthen prospects, along with government digital strategies and regional integration efforts.
• Despite challenges such as infrastructure gaps, energy constraints, skills shortages and regulatory delays, the overall trajectory is one of expansion, innovation and increasing economic impact.
• One of the most important factors supporting the industry's outlook is growth in mobile broadband and data consumption. Increasing smartphone ownership, declining device costs and greater availability of mobile broadband services are expected to drive growth in internet usage. Consumers are relying on digital services for communication, education, entertainment, banking and commerce, resulting in rising demand for data services. The trend is likely to encourage telecom operators to further invest in network expansion and technology upgrades.
• Ongoing deployment of advanced mobile technology will contribute to the industry's positive outlook. While 4G networks continue to expand, several countries are beginning to explore and implement 5G services. Although 5G adoption may initially be concentrated in major urban centres, its long-term impact on economic development and digital transformation is expected to be substantial.
• Businesses, governments and educational institutions are adopting cloud-based solutions, and as demand for cloud services grows, investment in local data centres is expected to increase. Fintech is expected to remain a major growth area as mobile money platforms, digital wallets, online payment systems and electronic banking services help to expand financial inclusion and stimulate economic participation.
• Emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, blockchain, big data analytics, and the IoT are expected to play an increasingly important role in the region.
IT and Telecommunications in Southern Africa
2026
Full Report
R 20 000.00(ZAR) estimated $1222.84 (USD)*
Industry Landscape
R 14 000.00(ZAR) estimated $ 855.99 (USD)*
Table of Contents
[ Close ]| PAGE | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | INTRODUCTION | 1 |
| 2. | REGIONAL INFORMATION | 1 |
| 3. | DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY | 6 |
| 3.1. | Industry Value Chain | 11 |
| 3.2. | Geographic Position | 17 |
| 3.3. | Size of the Industry | 19 |
| 4. | LOCAL | 30 |
| 4.1. | State of the Industry | 30 |
| 4.2. | Key Trends | 50 |
| 4.3. | Key Issues | 51 |
| 4.4. | Notable Players | 52 |
| 4.5. | Trade | 54 |
| 4.6. | Corporate Actions | 61 |
| 4.7. | Regulations | 66 |
| 4.8. | Enterprise Development and Social Development | 70 |
| 5. | AFRICA | 76 |
| 6. | INTERNATIONAL | 85 |
| 7. | INFLUENCING FACTORS | 97 |
| 7.1. | Unforeseen Events | 97 |
| 7.2. | Economic Environment | 100 |
| 7.3. | Labour | 104 |
| 7.4. | Environmental Issues | 107 |
| 7.5. | Technology, R&D, Innovation | 110 |
| 7.6. | Government Support | 112 |
| 7.7. | Spectrum Management | 114 |
| 7.8. | Cybersecurity | 115 |
| 7.9. | Crime and Safety | 116 |
| 7.10. | Cyclicality | 116 |
| 7.11. | Input Costs | 117 |
| 8. | COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT | 118 |
| 8.1. | Competition | 118 |
| 8.2. | Ownership Structure of the Industry | 119 |
| 8.3. | Barriers to Entry | 119 |
| 9. | INDUSTRY SUMMARY | 120 |
| 10. | OUTLOOK | 122 |
| 11. | INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS | 123 |
| 12. | REFERENCES | 124 |
| 12.1. | Publications | 124 |
| 12.2. | Websites | 125 |
| APPENDIX 1 | 129 | |
| Computer Services and Related Equipment | 129 | |
| APPENDIX 2 | 133 | |
| Telecommunications and Related Equipment | 133 | |
| COMPANY PROFILES | 140 | |
| AFRICELL ANGOLA S.A. | 140 | |
| AIRTEL MADAGASCAR S.A. | 142 | |
| AIRTEL MALAWI PLC | 144 | |
| AIRTEL NETWORKS ZAMBIA PLC | 147 | |
| ANGOLA TELECOM, E.P. | 150 | |
| AXIAN GROUP LTD | 152 | |
| BLUELINE SARL | 154 | |
| BOTSWANA FIBRE NETWORKS (PTY) LTD | 155 | |
| BOTSWANA TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION LTD | 157 | |
| COMNET (PTY) LTD | 160 | |
| DATA CONTROL & SYSTEMS (1996) (PVT) LTD | 162 | |
| DAYFORCE (MAURITIUS) LTD | 164 | |
| ECONET TELECOM LESOTHO (PTY) LTD | 166 | |
| ECONET WIRELESS ZIMBABWE LTD | 169 | |
| EMTEL LTD | 172 | |
| ESWATINI MOBILE (PTY) LTD | 175 | |
| GREEN ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD | 177 | |
| HOSTED LTD | 178 | |
| INQ. DIGITAL LTD | 180 | |
| INSTITUTO DE TECNOLOGIAS, INOVACAO E SERVICOS S.A. | 182 | |
| INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES ANGOLA, S.A. | 183 | |
| IT-IQ BOTSWANA (PTY) LTD | 184 | |
| LEO (PTY) LTD | 186 | |
| LIQUID INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGIES ZAMBIA LTD | 188 | |
| MAHANAGAR TELEPHONE (MAURITIUS) LTD | 190 | |
| MALAWI TELECOMMUNICATIONS LTD | 192 | |
| MASCOM WIRELESS BOTSWANA (PTY) LTD | 194 | |
| MAURITIUS TELECOM LTD | 198 | |
| MERCURY SERVICO DE TELECOMUNICACOES, S.A. | 202 | |
| MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LTD | 204 | |
| MOVICEL TELECOMUNICACOES, S.A. | 207 | |
| MOVITEL S.A. | 209 | |
| MTN (ZAMBIA) LTD | 211 | |
| NETONE CELLULAR (PVT) LTD | 213 | |
| NEXTHOPE SARL | 216 | |
| ORANGE (BOTSWANA) (PTY) LTD | 217 | |
| ORANGE MADAGASCAR S.A. | 221 | |
| PARATUS NAMIBIA HOLDINGS LTD | 222 | |
| POWERTEL COMMUNICATIONS (PVT) LTD | 224 | |
| REAL IMAGE (PTY) LTD | 226 | |
| ROGERS CAPITAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD | 228 | |
| SD WORX (MAURITIUS) LTD | 230 | |
| SPARC SYSTEMS LTD | 232 | |
| SWAZI MTN LTD | 234 | |
| TELECOM NAMIBIA LTD | 236 | |
| TELEKOM NETWORKS MALAWI PLC | 239 | |
| TELONE (PVT) LTD | 242 | |
| TMCEL - MOCAMBIQUE TELECOM, S.A. | 246 | |
| TVCABO ANGOLA, LDA | 248 | |
| VODACOM LESOTHO (PTY) LTD | 250 | |
| VODACOM MOCAMBIQUE, S.A. | 252 | |
| WEST INDIAN OCEAN CABLE COMPANY LTD | 254 | |
| ZAMBIA TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LTD | 257 |
