Last January, Poa Internet raised US$28 million to expand its reach in Kenya and gradually enter other African countries.
Internet service provider Poa Internet Kenya won a grant from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to conduct a feasibility study on the possibility of expanding its services to one million households in low-income urban areas outside Kenya. An agreement was signed between the two parties on the sidelines of the U.S-Africa Summit held in Washington, D.C., last December 13-15.
According to the USTDA, Poa Internet will evaluate 14 African markets and recommend three for expansion. The study will provide a detailed analysis of these markets, including a supply and demand assessment, regulatory and legal analysis, environmental and social impact assessment, and go-to-market recommendations.
This project accelerates Poa Internet's expansion strategy in Africa. The company raised US$28 million earlier this year in a Series C financing round led by Africa50. It said at the time that it would use the funding to expand its reach, first in Kenya and then gradually to other countries on the continent. Currently, Poa Internet serves more than 11,000 connected households. It has more than 10,000 hotspots across the streets of Kenya and more than 60,000 Wi-Fi subscribers.
Its African expansion plan comes against a backdrop of growing demand for high-speed connectivity and accelerating digital transformation on the continent. However, Internet penetration in Africa is still low. In its "Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2022," the GSM Association (GSMA) states that only 40% of the Sub-Saharan African adult population has access to the Internet.
“We are delighted to form this partnership with USTDA as we continue with our journey to bring affordable Internet access to Africa. This grant from USTDA will support our geographic expansion and goals of advancing inclusive, secure, and sustainable connectivity to lower-income urban communities,” said Andy Halsall (photo, right), CEO of Poa Internet.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
• Global coffee consumption projected to hit a record 169.4 million 60-kg bags in 2025/2026, up from...
In a West African financial landscape marked by tighter regulation of the fintech sector, digital fi...
• BOAD releases CFA10 billion ($17.8 million) to support Boungou and Wahgnion gold mines.• Burkina F...
Transport and food prices have been climbing steadily across Africa in recent years. In Côte d’Ivoir...
• Burkina Faso-based financial group, Vista Group Holding, has acquired a majority stake in Société ...
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has authorized a $262.3 million disbursement for Ethiopia, taking total payments under Extended Credit...
• ECOWAS Bank funds 47.7-km stretch of strategic 700-km road project• Lagos-Calabar highway seen boosting regional trade and investment• Part of broader...
• IFC teams up with AfDB and Nigeria’s EbonyLife to assess a new fund for African cinema• Sector could grow to $20 bln annually and create 20 mln...
• IFAD initiates a program worth $358.26 million to bolster dairy sector in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda • The program, called DaIMA, aims...
The Gerewol tradition is a fascinating ritual celebrated by the Bororo Fulani, a nomadic community primarily located in Chad and Niger. This annual...
In northern Ethiopia, in the Tigray region, lies Axum (also spelled Aksum), an ancient city that once stood at the heart of one of Africa’s most powerful...