Two of the world’s leading telecommunications companies, Orange and Vodafone, have made major announcements in the regional press about planned undertakings in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital.

It’s not been officially confirmed, but a number of African news outlets are reporting that South African operator MTN has made a takeover approach for Telkom.

Bharti Airtel has confirmed in a Bombay Stock Exchange filing that it has transferred 100% of shares in mobile operator AirtelTigo to the government of Ghana.

Morocco has one of the more advanced telecommunications sectors in Africa. It has been supported by the government’s Maroc Digital 2020 strategy (which encourages the development of a digital economy) and the National Broadband Plan (which aims to provide the entire population with fixed or mobile broadband by the end of 2022).

In the past week Facebook has removed a post violating its policies against inciting violence. Nothing too surprising about that, you might argue. However, this post was from Ethiopia's prime minister.

Israel’s developed economy largely revolves around high technology products, primarily used in the medical, biotechnology, agricultural, materials, and military industries. The country also attracts investment in its cyber-security industry, and has established itself as a hub for thousands of start-up companies.

The General Superintendence (SG) of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) recommended the approval, with restrictions, of the sale of Oi Movel to TIM, Claro, and Vivo.

Telenor has confirmed that it is reviewing possible buyers for its 55% majority stake in Telenor Microfinance Bank, which provides financial services in Pakistan.

Egypt’s National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has fined the country’s mobile operators a combined total of EGP25 million (USD1.6 million) after their services failed to meet minimum quality standards.

Turkey continues to develop its capabilities within its telecom sector, becoming one of the relatively few countries able to build and develop its own communications satellites. With the successful launch of the Turksat 5A satellite in January 2021, the Turksat 5B is expected to be launched by the end of the year, and will be joined by the Turksat 6A in early 2023.

The global Internet of Things (IoT) enabler Telit announced a strategic partnership with Brazilian engineering company WEG to conduct 5G private network tests in an electric motor plant.

A province in the west of Argentina is about to receive a major boost to its fibre optic provision after the signing of a new contract.

The market dominance issue rumbles on, with stories from Kenya and Ghana underlining how much of a problem it is becoming for a number of African operators.

STC is deploying Infinera’s ICE6 800G-capable technology on its submarine cable networks to enable new regional and international connectivity services and infrastructure development.

After many years of delays and legal challenges, Guyana's 2016 Telecommunications Act was brought into force in October 2020 by the newly elected government of the People’s Party Progressive (PPP).

Oman’s first satellite will be launched into Earth’s lower orbit by the end of 2022.

Telkom Kenya has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ericsson and NEC XON to boost the operator’s network with an additional 2000 wireless sites by 2023.

Iraqi operator Asiacell has announced that it is extending its strategic partnership with Ericsson to enhance and improve its LTE services in the country.

Green Gibraltar, a new player in the Guyanese mobile market, claims to have received regulatory clearance to offer 5G mobile services.

Banking software firm Temenos has announced contract wins in Cambodia and Egypt.

Airtel Networks Kenya has taken aim at regulator the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), alleging bias in favour of Airtel’s rival Safaricom.

As many commentators inside and outside Nigeria expected, the country’s federal government has approved the extension of the deadline for national identity number (NIN)-subscriber identity module (SIM) data verification to the end of this year.

The government of Djibouti is talking up the “sustained” network deployments by national carrier Djibouti Telecom as it prepares to sell a 40% stake in the incumbent operator.

In relation to its telecom sector, Nepal has several topographical and economic constraints which have impeded efforts to expand network infrastructure and improve the quality of service for end-users.

Armenia had to battle through 2020 on two fronts: the Covid-19 pandemic that effectively shut down the economy, and a brief but brutal war with neighbouring Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Lebanon’s economic crisis has had a dire effect on the country’s telecom services. Although some progress has been made with developing 5G, the poor economic conditions have contributed to an erratic electricity supply and a lack of fuel to maintain generators.

Telecom Namibia (TN), the telecommunications service provider operating in Namibia, announced the launch of the 4G LTE Network in Groot Aub.

The West African Telecoms Regulators Assembly (WATRA) has acknowledged the need to develop technical and regulatory means to combat the rising wave of electronic fraud. It also hopes to address the standardisation of roaming tariffs in the sub-region.

El Salvador’s Superintendency of Competition confirmed that it has received a request for approval of General International Telecom’s acquisition of Movistar (Telefonica Moviles) and Telefonica Multiservicios.

Technology group Liquid Intelligent Technologies and telecommunications carrier Orange have announced a new partnership to leverage each other's existing networks in Africa, allowing them, as they put it, even greater access and opportunity to build their businesses throughout the continent.