This partnership directly targets one of Africa’s most persistent development challenges: the lack of reliable and affordable internet access, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Tarana, the company behind next-generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) technology, announced on June 17 a new partnership with Microsoft to accelerate internet access in rural and underserved communities across Africa. The collaboration aims to empower local service providers with access to affordable, government-approved telecom equipment, along with deployment training and technical support.

Basil Alwan, CEO of Tarana, said, “We admire the Airband Initiative’s mission and appreciate this opportunity to collaborate. We look forward to making significant progress on the digital divide together.”

Tarana’s ngFWA platform offers fiber-class broadband performance with the flexibility of wireless technology, enabling rapid, low-cost deployment even in areas with non-line-of-sight conditions and high radio interference. This makes it particularly well-suited to Africa’s rural connectivity challenges. Currently, over 250 operators worldwide are using ngFWA to enhance broadband access.

Vickie Robinson, General Manager for Energy, Connectivity, and Sustainability at Microsoft, added, “Affordable broadband is essential for economic opportunity. By working with Tarana, we’re helping local operators overcome cost and deployment barriers so they can bring high-speed connectivity to the communities that need it most.”

Under the partnership, Microsoft will help reduce the cost of Tarana’s ngFWA equipment for African internet service providers, support logistics, and guide implementation. The goal is to bring fast, reliable, and affordable internet to remote areas, unlocking access to education, healthcare, commerce, and digital opportunities.

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as of 2023, only 37% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa had access to the Internet, compared to 91% in Europe. In rural regions, connectivity rates are even lower due to infrastructure deficits, high deployment costs, and difficult geographic conditions.

By combining Microsoft’s scale and local partnerships with Tarana’s innovative technology, this initiative is poised to dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of broadband rollout, while helping Africa leapfrog traditional infrastructure barriers.

Hikmatu Bilali