MTN and Airtel unite for network sharing in Uganda and Nigeria

Ciao,

Victoria from Techpoint here,

Here’s what I’ve got for you today:

• MTN and Airtel unite for network sharing in Uganda and Nigeria
• How Ejara’s shaping Francophone Africa’s investment culture
• AltSchool to launch hybrid learning programme

MTN and Airtel unite for network sharing in Uganda and Nigeria

MTN Group and Airtel Africa are teaming up to share network infrastructure in Uganda and Nigeria while keeping everything in line with local regulations. This partnership is all about making digital and financial services more accessible across Africa, especially in areas where people still struggle with poor connectivity.

By joining forces, the two telecom giants want to cut network costs, expand coverage, and improve mobile services for millions, particularly those in rural and remote areas. The goal? To ensure that more people can enjoy the benefits of a connected life without the usual infrastructure challenges.

MTN’s CEO, Ralph Mupita, says demand for digital services is skyrocketing, and this partnership is a smart way to meet that demand. Instead of each company building separate infrastructure, they can share resources and focus on providing better, more affordable services while keeping up with regulatory guidelines.

Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar, agrees, saying that while the companies will continue to compete in the market, they’re working together where it makes sense. By sharing infrastructure, they avoid duplicating expensive networks while still offering strong, reliable service to their customers.

Network sharing is becoming a global trend, helping telecom companies improve service quality while cutting costs. It’s a win-win. Customers get better connectivity, and operators can focus on improving their offerings rather than spending billions on infrastructure alone.

After sealing the deal in Uganda and Nigeria, MTN and Airtel are looking at other countries like Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia for similar agreements. They’re also exploring fibre-sharing deals to strengthen digital access across the continent. Despite this collaboration, both companies will remain independent and continue to compete in the markets they serve.

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How Ejara’s shaping Francophone Africa’s investment culture

Growing up, many of us were taught that building wealth was reserved for the elite, those with connections, big bank accounts, and access to exclusive financial products. But what if that didn’t have to be the case? What if anyone, regardless of their background, could invest and secure their financial future? That’s exactly what Chaute-Diop set out to change with Ejara.

After spending a decade working in Europe and seeing firsthand how blockchain and cryptocurrencies were revolutionising finance, Chaute-Diop realised that people in Central Africa were missing out. She saw an opportunity to bring financial empowerment to everyday people, allowing them to own assets without relying on middlemen.

Financial inclusion in Central Africa has always been a challenge. A 2021 report showed that only 32% of people had access to financial services, with some countries seeing numbers as low as 20%. Meanwhile, mobile money has exploded, with 60 million acc0unts across the region. But there’s a problem: mobile money is great for sending and receiving cash, but it doesn’t offer investment opportunities or cross-border transactions.

That’s where Ejara comes in. While people trusted mobile money, they had no real way to save or invest. Chaute-Diop built Ejara to fill that gap, giving people in Francophone Africa and the diaspora a safe, accessible way to grow their wealth. From local bonds with 5%+ returns to cryptocurrencies that protect against sudden currency devaluations, Ejara is helping users take control of their financial future.

Even better, you don’t need thousands of dollars to start. Before Ejara, investing in safe bonds required a hefty sum. But Chaute-Diop changed the game, breaking down investments into as little as $1.5, making it possible for everyday people to participate in wealth-building.

And she’s making sure women aren’t left behind. More than half of Ejara’s field agents and 50% of its technical team are women, ensuring financial inclusion reaches those who need it most. Want to see how Ejara is reshaping finance in Central Africa? Check out Sarah’s latest.

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AltSchool to launch hybrid learning programme

AltSchool, a Nigerian edtech startup known for its online courses in tech and creative fields, is launching a new hybrid learning programme called Campus by AltSchool. The goal? Boost course completion rates and build an even stronger community of learners.

Set to launch in Q2 2025, the programme will kick off in Lagos and Kigali, with plans to expand across Africa. AltSchool is partnering with Techpoint Africa and Pistis Hub to provide physical learning spaces with reliable Internet and power — two major pain points for online learners on the continent.

Students will get in-person classes three times a week, with four-hour sessions led by instructors for hands-on learning. While they’ll need to bring their own devices, offline downloads might not be available. The first phase will focus on short, four-month masterclasses instead of the usual year-long online courses.

Because of the added costs of running physical spaces, the hybrid programmes will be pricier than the current $290 online courses, though AltSchool hasn’t revealed exact numbers. To keep it accessible, they’re offering instalment plans and scholarships, plus working with partners like Bybit, Binance, and OpenLabs Ghana.

With Africa’s young population growing fast, investments in education are more crucial than ever, so this move by AltSchool is definitely one to watch.

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Have a superb Thursday!