Mawingu Networks: Pioneering Rural Internet Access in Kenya Faces Potential Acquisition
Mawingu Networks, a Kenyan internet service provider (ISP), has been at the forefront of bridging the digital divide by connecting rural communities to the internet. Initially leveraging innovative and cost-effective technologies, such as utilizing older TV frequencies, Mawingu has spent a decade doing what major telecom companies often overlooked: expanding internet access beyond major urban centers. This early ingenuity and commitment caught the attention of global investors, including Microsoft and the US Development Finance Corporation, which provided crucial funding, including a $4 million loan, to fuel Mawingu’s growth.
Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund II to Acquire Stake
The company’s journey highlights its evolution from an underdog to a significant player in the Kenyan telecom landscape. Now, Mawingu is looking to enhance its scale by considering a potential acquisition. South Africa’s Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund II (PRIF II), a private equity firm, is in discussions to acquire a 35% controlling stake in Mawingu Networks. This deal, which hinges on approval from the Comesa Competition Commission (CCC), marks a pivotal moment for the Kenyan ISP. Mawingu had previously secured $15 million in debt financing in 2024 to amplify its fiber and wireless network coverage within Kenya and acquire Habari, a Tanzanian internet service provider.
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