By The Weekly Vision Business Desk
Telecom Fibre Ltd (Yas), a subsidiary of Mauritius-based AXIAN Telecom Holding and Management PLC, has completed the acquisition of 99.63 per cent of Wananchi Group (Holdings) Ltd, one of East Africa’s leading fixed broadband and enterprise connectivity providers. The transaction marks a major milestone in Yas’s strategy, strengthening its presence across high-growth fibre markets, with over one million homes passed across the region.
East Africa is one of the continent’s fastest-growing broadband markets, fuelled by rising data demand and accelerating enterprise digitalisation. The integration of Wananchi positions Yas to capitalise on this momentum by delivering reliable, high-speed, and inclusive connectivity across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi, while paving the way for future expansion into neighbouring markets. In Tanzania, the acquisition is expected to strengthen the company’s market position by leveraging synergies with Yas’s existing operations.
Operating under its well-established brands, Zuku (consumer) and Simbanet (enterprise), Wananchi serves customers through an extensive fibre backbone and last-mile network. Under Yas’s ownership, the company will benefit from enhanced investment capacity and group-wide expertise to scale its Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH), Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), and cloud connectivity solutions across the region.
Hassan Jaber, CEO of AXIAN Telecom, commented: “Wananchi Group’s network, customer relationships, and local expertise align perfectly with our ambition to be a leader in broadband connectivity across Africa. Yas already has a strong presence in East Africa, and this acquisition builds on our deep understanding of the region’s opportunities and needs, while giving us access to vibrant new markets in Kenya and Uganda. Together, we will unlock new potential for growth, innovation, and value creation, delivering better access and new digital services for the communities and businesses we serve.”
Bertrand Lacroix, CEO of AXIAN Telecom Fibre, added: “Our goal is to build a leading pan-African broadband connectivity provider, and Wananchi’s addition is a significant step forward. We are committed to bringing high-speed Internet to millions more Africans. Our strong performance so far, doubling our fixed broadband base and achieving double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth, demonstrates the strength of our model.”
Yas already operates in Tanzania, Madagascar, Comoros, Senegal, and Togo. The integration of Wananchi will leverage Yas’s operational scale, investment capacity, and cross-market expertise. Continuity of employment and business operations will be maintained, ensuring a smooth transition for employees, customers, and partners as Wananchi begins its new chapter within the Yas family.
