How can we harness the full potential of 5G in Morocco?
17 June 2025
Majda Lahlou Kassi, President of Ericsson Morocco and Vice President and Head of Ericsson West and Southern Africa
In October last year, the Moroccan government launched its Digital 2030 strategy that seeks to transform the country’s economy and society. Its objectives include expanding 5G coverage to 70% of the population by 2030 and ensuring better access to high-speed internet..jpg?lu=141)
Autonomous TowerCos add a new layer to African telecoms
17 June 2025
Amir Turalić, Chief Product Officer, ZIRA Group
As the demand for voice and data traffic continues to grow across Africa, MNOs must ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place. However, this requirement can affect their operational efficiency and profitability. To tackle this challenge, many MNOs are adopting a delayering strategy, which involves dividing their networks into separate, self-governing entities. An example of the benefits of delayering is the emergence of tower companies. The success of these tower companies relies on the presence of a dedicated Business Support Systems (BSS) platform. With these systems in place, Africa’s MNOs will be better positioned to optimise their networks and prepare for evolving customer demands for the future.
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Closing the digital divide with hybrid connectivity
17 June 2025
Tristan Wood,
founder of Livewire Digital
Whilst for most people, having an internet connection was once one of life’s luxuries, today it’s a non-negotiable essential requirement. Yet, as Tristan Wood, founder of Livewire Digital says, millions of people remain unconnected, and unless the telecom industry acts fast, that number will only climb.
Terrestrial networks have taken us far. Copper, fibre, GSM 3G, 4G, and now 5G services have transformed global communications. But despite their transformative role, they were never going to be ubiquitous on their own. Vast tracts of our planet, from deserts, forests and oceans, remain off-grid. Even in localities closer to mainland UK, where you might expect coverage, such as the Isle of Sheppey, Papa Stour and Rathlin Island, still live with no readily available means of accessing the web or other data services. And even in those areas where infrastructure is well developed and integral to daily work, service outages and not-spots reveal just how fragile terrestrial systems can be. It takes only one downed mast, a blown or flooded power transformer, or simply an overloaded network, and entire communities can be plunged into digital darkness.
Read the full article Political will is needed to reform Universal Service Funds in Africa to drive digital inclusion across Africa
28 May 2025
Caroline Mbugua HSC. Senior Director, Public Policy & Communications, GSMA
An African proverb says, "He who does not seize opportunity today will be unable to seize tomorrow’s opportunity." This means the time to act and close the digital divide is now. Universal Service Funds have the potential to drive digital inclusion in Africa, but this will not be achieved without the necessary reforms to improve their effectiveness. Political goodwill is essential to facilitate these reforms, ensuring we can unlock this potential.
Universal broadband access is fundamental to Africa's socio-economic transformation - yet a significant digital divide continues to hold the continent back. While most African countries have established Universal Service Funds (USFs) to help close this gap, a recent GSMA report highlights a troubling disconnect between the funds collected and the real-world impact on broadband expansion. Between 2018 and 2022, more than $1.5 billion was accumulated through USFs across Africa, yet much of this remains unspent. Dormancy, poor transparency, and political interference continue to hamper the effectiveness of these funds.
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