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Niger State Waives Right-of-Way Fees to Boost Broadband Access
Niger State has officially waived Right-of-Way (RoW) fees for fibre optic infrastructure, becoming the 12th Nigerian state to adopt the policy, aiming to expand internet coverage and attract telecom investments. Under the new rule, operators are required to pay a one-time application fee of ₦500,000 ($311.80), which encompasses both new deployments and any future network…
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KAFD & Huawei Launch Saudi Arabia’s First Smart WiFi-7 Network
KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District) and Huawei have launched Saudi Arabia’s first Smart WiFi-7 network, marking a major step for Riyadh’s smart city ambitions. The next-generation network will provide faster and more reliable connectivity for residents, visitors, and businesses alike. This enhanced infrastructure will enable seamless smart services, allowing for personalized experiences tailored to individual…
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Google for Startups Accelerator Africa 2025 Now Open for AI Startups
Google for Startups Accelerator Africa is now accepting applications for its 2025 cohort. The three-month hybrid program is aimed at supporting Seed to Series A tech startups across Africa that are using artificial intelligence to address systemic challenges on the continent. Selected startups will receive equity-free support, up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits, mentorship…
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Why Waiving RoW Fees Isn’t Enough to Spark Fibre Boom in Nigeria
Twelve Nigerian states—including Zamfara, Katsina, Anambra, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Adamawa, Kaduna, Ekiti, Imo, Plateau, and Niger—have zeroed out Right‑of‑Way (RoW) fees to lure telecom investment. Yet despite this incentive, fibre rollout remains concentrated in Lagos, Edo, FCT, and Ogun—states that still charge fees but boast stronger demand, clearer policies, and denser urban markets. Industry leaders…
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Safaricom Bolsters Rural 5G to Rival Starlink
Safaricom has quietly ramped up its 5G rollout into underserved parts of Kenya, deploying new sites and slashing the price of plug‑and‑play 5G routers from KES 25,000 to just KES 3,000. Bundled with flexible M‑PESA payment plans and data packages (starting at KES 4,000 for 50 Mbps), the move targets fibre‑dark zones and price‑sensitive customers who’ve been lured by…
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South Africa’s Zimi Secures $320K to Pilot Turning EVs Into Power Stations
South African startup Zimi has secured $320,000 (R6 million) in grant funding from EEP Africa to test its Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, a system that allows electric vehicles (EVs) to send power back to homes, businesses, or the grid during outages. With load shedding still a major issue in South Africa, Zimi’s innovation could turn idle…