AXIAN Group has signed a major financing agreement worth up to €300 million with French development finance institution Proparco to accelerate the expansion of digital connectivity and energy infrastructure across Africa over the next three years.
The agreement, announced on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi held on May 11 and 12, 2026, is aimed at strengthening critical infrastructure in telecommunications, renewable energy, and financial inclusion across multiple African markets.
Under the partnership, AXIAN Group will channel investment through its telecom brand Yas and its energy subsidiary AXIAN Energy. The focus will be on expanding both mobile and fixed network infrastructure, improving data centre capacity, and scaling up renewable energy systems.
A major component of the deal is digital inclusion, with a strong emphasis on extending connectivity to rural and underserved communities. The partners also plan to invest in local data infrastructure to reduce reliance on external servers and improve regional digital sovereignty.
According to the company, the goal is to ensure that millions of Africans who still lack reliable internet access can be brought into the digital economy. The partnership is also expected to enhance the performance and reach of services already serving tens of millions of users across the continent.
AXIAN Group chief executive Hassanein Hiridjee described the deal as a strategic step that strengthens the group’s capacity to scale solutions across Africa, stating that the financing will help extend access to populations that still lack basic digital and energy services.
On the energy side, the partnership will support investments in solar, hydroelectric, and wind power projects, alongside battery storage systems and decentralised mini grids. These initiatives are designed to improve electricity access in both urban and remote areas, while also strengthening power supply reliability for telecom infrastructure.
The agreement also includes plans for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, signalling a broader shift toward clean mobility solutions in emerging African cities. This aligns with wider continental efforts to modernise energy systems while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Proparco, which operates under the French Development Agency, plays a key role in financing private sector development in emerging markets. Its involvement in the deal reflects growing international interest in Africa’s infrastructure gap, particularly in sectors linked to long term economic growth such as energy and digital connectivity.
The partnership is part of a broader wave of financing deals announced at the Africa Forward Summit, where development institutions and private sector players outlined plans to strengthen investment flows into African economies.
Other agreements signed alongside the AXIAN deal include partnerships involving Ecobank and BOAD, focusing on agricultural value chains and private sector development within the UEMOA region.
Analysts say the AXIAN–Proparco agreement highlights a growing convergence between digital infrastructure and energy development, with both sectors increasingly seen as interconnected pillars of modern economic growth. Reliable electricity is essential for digital expansion, while digital infrastructure improves the efficiency of energy systems.
The deal also reflects a broader strategic shift in African development financing, where institutions are increasingly prioritising blended investments that combine public capital with private sector execution.
As Africa continues to experience rapid population growth and rising demand for connectivity, partnerships like this are expected to play a central role in shaping the continent’s economic transformation.
For AXIAN Group, the funding provides both financial capacity and strategic backing to expand its footprint across key markets, reinforcing its position as a major player in Africa’s evolving infrastructure landscape.
