AXIAN Telecom Completes Acquisition Of Wananchi Group

AXIAN Telecom Fibre Ltd (Yas), a subsidiary of AXIAN Telecom Holding and Management PLC, has completed the acquisition of a 99.63 per cent stake in Wananchi Group Holdings Ltd, one of East Africa’s leading fixed broadband and enterprise connectivity providers.

The transaction marks a major milestone in Yas’s strategy to strengthen its presence across Africa’s high-growth fibre markets, expanding its reach to over one million homes across the region.

East Africa continues to experience surging demand for data and enterprise digitalisation. The integration of Wananchi positions Yas to deliver reliable, high-speed, and inclusive connectivity across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi, while paving the way for future expansion into neighbouring markets.

Operating under its well-established brands Zuku (consumer) and Simbanet (enterprise), Wananchi will now benefit from Yas’s investment capacity and expertise to scale Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH), Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), and cloud connectivity solutions.

Hassan Jaber, CEO of AXIAN Telecom, commented: “Wananchi Group’s network, customer relationships, and local expertise align perfectly with our ambition to be a leader in broadband connectivity across Africa. Yas already has a strong presence in East Africa, and this acquisition builds on our deep understanding of the region’s opportunities and needs while giving us access to new vibrant markets in Kenya and Uganda. Together, we will unlock new potential for growth, innovation, and value creation—delivering better access and new digital services for the communities and businesses we serve.”

Bertrand Lacroix, CEO of AXIAN Telecom Fibre, added: “Our goal is to build a leading pan-African broadband connectivity provider, and Wananchi’s addition is a big step forward. We are committed to bringing high-speed Internet to millions more Africans. Our strong performance so far, doubling of our fixed broadband base and achieving double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth, shows the strength of our model.”

Yas currently operates in Tanzania, Madagascar, Comoros, Senegal, and Togo. The integration of Wananchi will leverage AXIAN Telecom’s operational scale, investment capacity, and cross-market expertise, while ensuring continuity for employees, customers, and partners.

With this acquisition, Yas strengthens its position as one of Africa’s leading broadband providers, advancing its mission to connect communities and drive inclusive digital growth across the continent.