An important step toward speeding next-generation connectivity throughout Africa and Europe has been taken with Nokia’s extension of its partnership with Vodafone to strengthen Safaricom’s 5G network in Kenya. The new five-year deal between the two telecom behemoths aims to use Nokia’s state-of-the-art AirScale Radio Access Network (RAN) technology, which offers faster speeds, wider coverage, and more energy efficiency, to extend 5G infrastructure.
A major highlight of the partnership is the rollout of Africa’s first dual-band 5G Massive MIMO radio, a breakthrough innovation expected to dramatically enhance connectivity and support the growing demand for mobile data services. The technology will boost network capacity while reducing power usage, helping operators achieve more sustainable and cost-efficient performance across Vodafone’s markets.
Nokia will provide its baseband units and remote radio heads that are equipped with the cutting-edge ReefShark System-on-Chip technology as part of the extended agreement. This will provide dependable connectivity across many areas, improve network speed, and reduce latency. Vodafone will also implement Nokia’s AI-powered MantaRay Network Management (NM) platform, which uses AI to streamline network operations and provide faster, more responsive customer service.
In Africa, Vodafone’s presence extends through its subsidiary Vodacom, which operates in countries such as South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique, Lesotho, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Egypt. Vodafone also holds a major stake in Safaricom, Kenya’s largest telecom provider, which has been at the forefront of Africa’s digital innovation. Through this expanded collaboration, Safaricom will benefit from advanced 5G infrastructure to extend ultra-fast internet access across Kenya and neighboring regions.
The partnership reinforces Safaricom’s vision to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen Kenya’s position as a technology hub. With 5G seen as a key enabler for innovation in areas like smart cities, fintech, and the Internet of Things (IoT), the rollout will play a vital role in boosting productivity, education, and digital inclusion.
According to Mark Atkinson, Nokia’s Head of RAN, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building efficient, high-performance networks that balance speed and sustainability. This vision aligns with Nokia’s ongoing efforts to support Vodafone and its partners in delivering greener, smarter connectivity solutions.
Nokia and Safaricom have a long history together; in 2022, the two firms successfully piloted network slicing technology in Kenya, enabling operators to establish specialized, high-performance connections for cloud-based services and corporations. Nokia has also been very instrumental in Vodacom’s shift from 2G and 3G to 4G and 5G, greatly enhancing connectivity and coverage in rural areas around the continent.
According to recent data from GSMA Intelligence, Africa’s economy has benefited greatly from mobile technology. Nearly 7% of sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP, or $140 billion, came from mobile services in 2023. This percentage is expected to increase to $170 billion by 2030, mostly due to ongoing 5G deployment.
More than just a business transaction, this partnership has turned out to be a strategic investment in Africa’s connected future that will allow millions of people to enjoy faster, better, and more sustainable digital experiences.
