Vodacom pursuing joint fibre ventures in Africa broadband push

By Nqobile Dludla

Vodacom Group is pursuing partnerships for joint fibre ventures as Africa’s second largest mobile operator looks to accelerate the roll out of high-speed broadband coverage across its markets.

With the voice market slowing in parts of the continent including South Africa, telecom companies such as Vodacom and rivals MTN and Airtel Africa have doubled down on high-speed internet, an area long dominated by fibre companies such as Maziv-owned Dark Fibre Africa and Vumatel in South Africa.

Vodacom wants to merge with Maziv but the deal has been prohibited by South Africa’s competition authorities.

Asked what will happen if its appeal with the Competition Appeal Court fails, Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub said on a call with journalists that since funding for the proposed deal is still in the bank, the operator has “opportunities” to look at where else it could invest the money.

“We will pursue fibre joint ventures in all our markets,”