Sylvia Duruson
Bayobab, the digital infrastructure company formerly known as MTN GlobalConnect, has made a significant stride in its strategic growth plans with the completion of its structural separation from parent company MTN Group. This milestone aligns with the company’s ambitious 2025 targets set by MTN.
In a pivotal move, Bayobab has acquired the fiber-optic assets from its affiliate, MTN Zambia. This acquisition marks a major development for the company, as well as for the connectivity landscape in Zambia and its neighboring countries in Southern Africa.
Frédéric Schepens, CEO of Bayobab Group, expressed the significance of this achievement, stating that the successful separation and asset transfer represent substantial progress not only for the company but also for the entire region.
At the core of Bayobab’s operations lies its extensive fiber-optic network, spanning an impressive 114,000 kilometers. This proprietary terrestrial fiber network offers comprehensive connectivity solutions to its customers. With the acquisition of MTN Zambia’s fiber assets, Bayobab aims to expand its network to a staggering 135,000 kilometers by 2025.
Beyond enhancing cross-border connectivity, this strategic move positions Bayobab as a digital hub in the region, given its proximity to seven neighboring countries: Angola, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ralph Mupita, President and CEO of MTN Group, emphasized the significance of this development, describing it as a strategic move aimed at enhancing Bayobab’s focus and efficiency within its sector.
The acquisition of MTN Zambia’s extensive fiber assets will enable Bayobab to improve its operational capabilities within the Southern African nation. By enhancing traffic management on its fiber networks and increasing bandwidth usage efficiency, the overall quality, resilience, and latency of the firm’s services will be significantly improved.
Consequently, customers throughout the Bayobab network will experience better connectivity due to the consolidation of fiber assets. Frédéric Schepens added, “This move reinforces our commitment to advancing connectivity across Africa and underscores our role as an open-access provider, benefiting all our partners.”
Bayobab’s core business, which serves approximately 295 million African subscribers on the MTN network, is poised to leverage this expansion to solidify its position as a leading digital infrastructure provider on the continent.
