Connecting Africa is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 3099067.

Connectivity

Liquid Telecom accelerates fiber access in Botswana

Article Image
Liquid Telecom is expanding fiber access in Botswana by activating 82km of fiber in a cross-border network into the Southern African country.

The pan-African telecoms group said the implementation gives more people in Botswana access to Liquid Telecom's African footprint of more than 73,000km of fiber and increased access to the global digital economy.

This expansion connects the Lobatse Border to Gaborone with the intent to create efficient mobility and connectivity in Botswana, providing more citizens and businesses with access to Liquid's One Africa broadband network.

"We know that fiber is key to providing Africa with high-speed, affordable digital connectivity and have plans to create even more valuable connections throughout the continent," Odirile Tamajobe, MD of Liquid Telecom Botswana, said in an emailed statement.

The fiber route between the Lobatse Border and Gaborone.  (Source: Liquid Telecom)
The fiber route between the Lobatse Border and Gaborone.
(Source: Liquid Telecom)

Prior to this fiber implementation, Liquid Telecom Botswana did not have a cross-border connectivity network.

"Fiber technology represents a digital evolution in many African countries. Only fiber can deliver the speeds that enable Africans to experience what Liquid Telecom calls 'the real Internet'," said Wellington Makamure, CEO of Liquid Telecom Southern Africa.

"Access to high-definition digital media is almost unachievable for any household or business unless they are connected to a high-speed fiber line. Reliable and fast connectivity is vital to growing a country's economy by opening doors to e-commerce and other global digital opportunities," Makamure added.

Wellington Makamure, CEO of Liquid Telecom Southern Africa.  (Source: Liquid Telecom)
Wellington Makamure, CEO of Liquid Telecom Southern Africa.
(Source: Liquid Telecom)

This expansion also focuses on growing Liquid Telecom's wholesale, enterprise and retail offering across Botswana.

The group said that the Botswana operations will form a crucial part of Liquid Telecom's focus on the Southern Africa region, alongside Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.

In Botswana, Liquid Telecom has operated as a joint venture with the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC), owning 42.5% of the company since 2016. But local newspaper The Voice this week reported that Liquid Telecom is buying back BPC's stake and that Botswana's Competition and Consumer Authority has approved the sale.

Liquid Telecom operates as a communications solutions provider across 13 countries. primarily in Eastern, Southern and South Africa. Besides its 73,000km fiber network, the group operates data centers in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nairobi, Harare and Kigali, with a combined potential 19,000 square meters of rack space and 78MW of power.

— The Staff, Connecting Africa

Innovation hub

Story

Hot startup of the month: Nigeria's Tech Herfrica

Connecting Africa's hot startup is Nigeria's Tech Herfrica, a social impact organization that focuses on the digital and financial inclusion of women and girls in rural areas of Nigeria.

Story

Omdia View: February 2024

Highlights in February 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included 5G launches in Senegal and 5G trials in Egypt as well as Kenya's first 5G MVNO. Airtel also launched a new wholesale connectivity business while MTN and Huawei are planning a joint Innovation Technology Lab in South Africa – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

More Innovation hub

Latest video

More videos

Partner perspectives

All Partner Perspectives

Sponsored video

More videos

Industry announcements

More Industry announcements

Upcoming events

Africa Tech Festival 2024
November 11-14, 2024
Cape Town, South Africa
More Upcoming events

Africa Tech Perspectives

Story

Uber's Marjorie Saint-Lot on inclusion and sustainability in Africa

Uber's Country Manager for Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, Marjorie Saint-Lot, shares how the ride-hailing company is approaching public-private partnerships, environmentally friendly initiatives and gender inclusion in Africa.

Story

The 100 most influential African leaders in 2023

A new report from Africa Tech Festival and Connecting Africa puts a spotlight on the top 100 African leaders in the telecoms and technology sector in 2023.

Story

Deep dive into East Africa's tech startup ecosystem

New survey reveals a lack of access to investors, reliance on international VCs and global recession trends as the biggest barriers for East African tech startups to access funds.

More Africa Tech perspectives

Guest Perspectives

Story

Omdia View: February 2024

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in February 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included 5G launches in Senegal and 5G trials in Egypt as well as Kenya's first 5G MVNO. Airtel also launched a new wholesale connectivity business while MTN and Huawei are planning a joint Innovation Technology Lab in South Africa – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

Story

Omdia View: January 2024

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in January 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included a $200 million fintech deal between MTN and Mastercard as well as 5G network trials by Telecom Egypt – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

More Guest Perspectives

Like us on Facebook

Newsletter Sign Up


Sign Up
Tag id test-002