Telecom

VANU, Loofca Ltd to deploy 10,000 mast sites in the next “3 to 5 years”

VANU, Loofca Ltd to deploy 10,000 mast sites in the next “3 to 5 years”
Wednesday, 11 May 2022 19:07

In Africa, rural zones are poorly covered by telecom infrastructures despite their crucial role in successful digital transformations. VANU and Loofca Ltd want to provide operators with the infrastructures required to offer their services to residents of those zones. 

Vanu Wireless Nigeria Limited -a subsidiary of U.S. firm Vanu Inc.- and Loofca International Limited signed a partnership agreement last Monday. Under the agreement, the two partners will deploy 10,000 mast sites to connect African rural communities to telecom services. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Olufemi Olukoya, managing director of Loofca International Ltd, described the project as an important step in connecting millions of Africa's rural populations to the world. “Within a space of three to five years, we are looking to deploy about ten thousand sites across Africa and we are looking for about 2000 in rural areas in Nigeria,” he said. 

In the framework of the project, only Vanu’s proprietary technology, which is specifically designed for rural areas, will be deployed. After deployment, the sites will be available for use for Tier 1 operators such as MTN, Orange, Glo, Airtel, and Vodacom, which will then be able to offer voice and data services in the regions covered.

We decided to partner with Loofca because they are spread across countries in Africa and their wide reach. They are very much inclined to generate a sort of employment for rural communities and that can be possible by connecting these communities to the outside world,” explains  Anoj Singh, vice-president of VANU Inc. 

Together, the technology divide which is currently there, we are going to minimize this by deploying solutions to connect unconnected rural communities in Africa,” he added. 

Currently, in Africa, some operators are looking for ways to offer their services to rural and uncovered communities. At the same time, others are leasing or selling their unused telecom infrastructure while others are creating whole divisions dedicated to the management of those infrastructures. In 2021, for instance, Airtel launched a process aimed at selling its telecom tower located in several countries (including Madagascar, Malawi, Chad, and Gabon) to Helios Towers.

Isaac K. Kassouwi

On the same topic
Vodafone expands Amazon LEO satellite partnership in Africa Satellites to backhaul mobile base stations to core network Move targets rural...
Mauritania EllaLink landing station 46% complete, officials say Commissioning targeted for first quarter 2027 Cable to add 200 Gbps, reduce...
Senegal police, Meta discuss cooperation on online security Training planned for cybercrime units, law enforcement tools ITU ranks Senegal...
Congo has approved CFA21.87 billion ($39.3 million) for its 2026 digital transformation program. The plan aims to expand broadband access, digitize...
Most Read
01

Amazon begins talks with Kenya on low-Earth orbit satellite broadband Kenya’s digital market ...

Amazon Turns to Kenya as Its Next Low-Orbit Satellite Internet Bet in Africa
02

Dangote to list $20-25 billion refinery within five months NNPC holds 7.25% stake; dividends...

Dangote Sets IPO Timeline for Its $20B+ Nigerian Refinery, Eyes Retail Investors
03

DRC seeks ITC support for local battery value chains Musompo SEZ targets $2 billion private ...

DRC seeks ITC support to advance battery mineral value chains
04

Algeria’s NESDA and the Algerian‑Saudi Investment Company sign cooperation deal focused on researc...

Algeria’s NESDA, ASICOM Sign SME Investment Deal; Funding Details Unspecified
05

Senegal launches 200 billion CFA bond in UEMOA Proceeds to fund 2026 budget, transformation agend...

Senegal Launches $360 Million Regional Bond Sale
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.