Airtel Africa and Vodacom are bound as partners in sharing telecom infrastructure to enhance connectivity, digital inclusion, and accessibility to high-speed internet in underserved areas of Africa.

Airtel Africa and Vodacom are reported to have entered into a historic partnership in the telecom industry, which aims at sharing fiber networks and tower infrastructure to boost the speed at which digital services are expanded across Africa.

Minimizing the expenses of infrastructure, offering prompt time to market high-speed internet services, and enhancing connectivity, especially to underserved locations, are some of the objectives of the partnership. Combining their resources, both telecom operators aim to promote the digital inclusion process and the increase in the level of access to quality 4G and 5G networks and other new technological solutions.

According to Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar, collaboration with Vodacom shall open up access to more digital and financial opportunities that build lives without violating any regulatory framework.

Shameel Joosub, the CEO of Vodacom, further said, “Our strategy is to provide connectivity to empower people. This alliance is part of a proactive commitment to an inclusive, connected and sustainable digital Africa.”

However, the companies should be rivals but they stress that cooperation in telecom infrastructure is the crucial aspect in the course of overcoming the digital divide, accelerating network performance, and opening their communities to new opportunities on the continent. This project also enables Vodacom's vision of reaching 260 million customers by the year 2030.

The partnership is a major benchmark in the telecom industry in Africa and this further cements the idea of collaboration to instill innovation and inclusiveness.