$36 billion annually needed by 2040 to accelerate Africa’s digital infrastructure growth

26 February 2026

A new report titled "African Development Dynamics 2025: Infrastructure, Growth and Transformation," published in late November by OECD and the African Union Commission, highlights that Africa must invest $36 billion annually in fiber optic cables by 2040 to drive its productive transformation.

This figure accounts for roughly 23% of Africa’s total annual infrastructure needs, estimated at $155 billion, though it remains lower than investments required for roads ($50 billion) and railways ($38 billion).

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Strengthening cybersecurity through smarter vendor risk management

20 February 2026

Ryan Boyes, Governance, Risk, and Compliance Officer at Galix

Ryan Boyes, Governance, Risk, and Compliance Officer at Galix

Vendor risk management has shifted from an administrative task to a strategic discipline, which shapes how well organisations protect themselves.

Many businesses rely heavily on third parties for essential services but underestimate how much sensitive data these partners hold or assume that responsibility shifts entirely once work is outsourced. Without clear standards, specialist support and continuous oversight, vendors quickly become one of the weakest links in an organisation’s security posture.

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Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea sign major digital connectivity agreement

12 February 2026

Nigeria has signed a landmark agreement with Equatorial Guinea to develop a subsea fibre-optic cable that will expand broadband capacity and strengthen digital communications across the region.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, described the initiative as a significant advancement in regional economic diplomacy, demonstrating how high-level engagements can be transformed into tangible infrastructure that drives connectivity and growth. The project focuses on enhancing regional cybersecurity cooperation and represents a direct outcome of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's State Visit to Malabo in August 2024.

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MTN targets fintech and fibre to build Africa’s digital platform ecosystem

11 February 2026

MTN Group is shifting toward platform-driven growth across Africa, focusing on acquiring startups in payments, lending, and remittances to deepen its digital ecosystem. This strategic move signifies a move away from isolated startups toward integrated platforms serving millions.

According to Semafor, MTN is actively pursuing fintech acquisitions to bolster its rapidly expanding digital finance services, which already support payments, merchant transactions, airtime lending, and cross-border remittances across more than 10 markets. Valued at around $5.2 billion, MTN’s fintech platform surpasses many African unicorns, reflecting its dominance in mobile money and digital finance.

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