In its 2023 annual report, MTN, the South African telecommunications company, revealed that Bayobab had acquired nine fibre optic companies in strategic markets, including Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Central African Republic. Additionally, the subsidiary took over the fibre optic network of MTN Zambia and invested in a new fibre optic route to facilitate the landing of the 2Africa cable in Ghana and Nigeria.
These investments are part of MTN Group’s broader plan to divest its fibre optic business. As a result, Bayobab rebranded from MTN GlobalConnect to position itself as a top-tier, open-access digital infrastructure platform focused on Africa. This transformation enables Bayobab to serve MTN Group and other third parties.
The spin-off of the fibre operations aligns with MTN’s “Ambition 2025” strategy, which aims to establish the company as the leading provider of digital solutions in Africa in the near future. As of December 31, 2023, Bayobab’s fibre optic network spanned 114,000 km across the continent, representing a significant milestone in its mission to digitally connect Africa.
