• IFC lends $425M to Maroc Telecom for Chad and Mali networks.
• Funds target 4G rollout and Mobile Money expansion.
• Move backs Africa’s digital drive, boosts regional presence.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private sector arm, announced a partnership with Maroc Telecom on Thursday, June 19. Under this agreement, IFC will provide two loans totaling €370 million, equivalent to $425 million, to enhance mobile connectivity and mobile internet quality in Chad and Mali. These two nations are key markets in Maroc Telecom's regional strategy for sub-Saharan Africa.

With this financial support, Maroc Telecom aims to accelerate its 4G network rollout, modernize existing infrastructure, and expand network coverage, particularly in underserved areas. The objective is to meet the increasing demand for mobile connectivity while promoting the development of high-impact services such as Mobile Money. Mobile Money is considered a crucial tool for financial inclusion in countries where large segments of the population remain excluded from traditional banking systems.

IFC’s involvement highlights its commitment to supporting cross-border investments led by regional players like Maroc Telecom. The institution emphasizes the private sector's role in Africa’s digital transformation, especially in fragile or post-crisis nations. Digital technology is viewed as a catalyst for job creation, skills development, and the emergence of high-value services. These investments also align with the African Union’s goal of establishing a secure, unified digital market across the continent by 2030.

The Moroccan group has operated in sub-Saharan Africa for over two decades and reports more than 57 million customers outside Morocco. It operates in approximately 10 countries, including Chad and Mali, where internet access remains limited. According to DataReportal, at the beginning of 2025, only 13.2% of the Chadian population, about 2.74 million users, had internet access. In Mali, the figure reached 35.1%, or nearly 7.82 million users. These statistics underscore the significant digital divide in both countries.

As African nations intensify efforts to accelerate their digital transition, the funding provided to Maroc Telecom is expected to help strengthen infrastructure, broaden access to digital services, and support evolving usage patterns. It also aims to ensure the viability of operators in markets that currently offer only marginal profitability. For the Moroccan group, this marks a new phase in its regional expansion strategy.