Mawingu Gets $20M Boost to Expand Internet Access Across Africa.
By Editorial Team.
Nairobi, October 1, 2025 – Mawingu, East Africa’s largest internet provider for rural and peri-urban areas, has secured a $20 million investment from Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund II (PRIF II) to accelerate affordable internet access across underserved communities.
The fresh funding is expected to power Mawingu’s ambitious expansion drive, which seeks to connect at least one million people by 2028. The company plans to achieve this through a mix of acquisitions of local internet service providers and building digital infrastructure in regions often neglected due to high costs and tough terrain.
“This investment marks a major step forward for Mawingu,” said the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Farouk Ramji. “As a multi-country operator with a strong focus on rural and peri-urban markets, we are now closer to our goal of positively impacting one million people in Africa by 2028.”
Reliable internet access, experts note, fuels education, employment, and entrepreneurship, while also spurring wider economic growth. Yet, in much of Africa, millions remain offline because of prohibitive costs and limited broadband coverage. To close this gap, Mawingu has adopted a “buy-and-build” approach that allows it to acquire, expand, and operate networks in underserved areas.
That strategy is already delivering results. In 2024, Mawingu acquired Tanzanian ISP Habari, securing a national license and expanding coverage to nine regions, including Arusha, Dodoma, Iringa, Manyara, Mara, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza, Morogoro, and Shinyanga. More than 3,000 home users have since joined the network.
For PRIF II, backing Mawingu is a bet on both social impact and sustainable growth. “Mawingu’s track record of disciplined growth and innovation in underserved markets makes them an ideal partner,” said Ridwaan Tayob, who led the investment. “We are excited to support their mission of expanding meaningful connectivity where it’s needed most.”
The urgency is clear. Fixed broadband penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa is still below 12 percent of households, compared to global averages above 60 percent. A World Bank study shows that every 10 percent increase in broadband penetration can boost GDP growth by 1.38 percent in developing countries.
With the new funding, Mawingu is set to expand its reach into more strategic markets and cement its role as a key driver of Africa’s digital transformation.
