Even though Africa’s digital economy is growing fast, connectivity gaps remain significant, with internet penetration in key markets like Mozambique (20%), Tanzania (29%), and the DRC (31%) lagging far behind the global average of 68% (World Bank, 2023). Expanding access to digital infrastructure is central to unlocking opportunities in e-commerce, fintech, and mobile financial services, which collectively are transforming the continent’s economic landscape.
Mobile money continues to flourish, with over 856 million registered accounts across Africa and 62 billion transactions totalling $919 billion in 2023 (GSMA). The e-commerce market is projected to reach $40.49 billion in 2025, growing to $56.03 billion by 2029, while fintech accounts for 10–12% of the financial sector’s revenue. Despite these gains, large portions of the population remain underserved, highlighting the need for sustained infrastructure investment.
In August 2025, Vodacom and Airtel Africa launched an infrastructure-sharing agreement in Mozambique, Tanzania, and the DRC. This partnership aims to expand coverage while optimising capital efficiency, enabling more people to access digital services.
Vodacom plans to connect 260 million customers by 2030, supported by a 23.8% year-on-year rise in capital expenditure to $1.1 billion in 2024. Airtel Africa’s Q2 2025 spend reached $121 million, with full-year guidance of $725–$750 million. These investments directly support mobile connectivity, financial inclusion, and digital commerce.
Improved infrastructure allows more Africans to access mobile money platforms and digital financial services, facilitating transactions for individuals and businesses. As connectivity grows, e-commerce adoption expands, projected to exceed half a billion users by 2025. Fintech startups, including seven unicorns across the continent, rely on reliable networks to scale, and this is where investments from Vodacom and Airtel contribute to the ecosystem.
Investments in connectivity, therefore, have measurable economic impacts, including job creation, expanded access to financial services, and enhanced opportunities for entrepreneurship. By investing in network infrastructure, Vodacom and Airtel are not only expanding access but also supporting mobile money, e-commerce, and fintech growth.
