MTN GlobalConnect To Kick-start Pan-African Fibre Railroad Journey In Kenya

MTN GlobalConnect has acquired MTN Business Kenya in a bid to kick-start its Pan-African fibre railroad journey.

“As part of our strategic ambitions to digitally transform our business, this is the first milestone in MTN GlobalConnect’s fibre railroad deployment plans to shape its Pan-African infrastructure expansion. As part of this transformation, our team in Kenya will continue to look after their customers, while reshaping the business to service wholesale and infrastructure,” the company said in a statement.

Digital transformation has been an important aspect of East Africa’s economic growth over the last 15 years.

“Kenya was a natural selection for MTN GlobalConnect to kick-start its Pan-African fibre railroad journey. The decision to invest in Kenya is also underpinned by an efficient telecommunications policy and regulatory environment and the Governments objective to position Kenya as a hub for information and communication technologies, and digital services,” MTN GlobalConnect added.

Commenting on this acquisition MTN GlobalConnect CEO Frédéric Schepens said, “We have prioritised the Republic of Kenya to form part of our fibre rollout owing to its strategic location in the East African Community bordering five countries, its access to the 2Africa subsea cable at Port Mombasa, and that doing business in Kenya furthers our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life,”

The company’s 2021 investment in Kenya exceeded $9 million with a 35 per cent growth in headcount. The newly appointed Managing Director, Sylvia Anampiu who joined on the 15th February 2022, has taken the helm to lead the Kenyan business as it expands its services.

Overall, MTN GlobalConnect has intensified direct investments across Africa to build the much-needed terrestrial backbone with an extensive fibre-optic network that will expand broadband connectivity and further integrate the continent.