Kenyan ISP, Mawingu, has announced that it is expanding to Tanzania with the acquisition of Habari, an Arusha-based ISP with operations across 7 regions in Tanzania. Mawingu has raised KSh 1.9 Billion ($15 million) of debt and equity financing to enable this expansion into East Africa. This is in addition to the Ksh 1.12 billion the ISP received back in 2023.
Habari has been in operation for over 25 years delivering Internet and ICT solutions to rural households and businesses across Tanzania. Through this acquisition, Mawingu will be able to accelerate the availability of its service in areas that have traditionally not been given priority due to the high capital cost and logistical complexities involved in ensuring a stable, reliable, and affordable service.
Mawingu has been on an expansion spree in Kenya this year launching its services in Taveta. Bondo and Mandera County.
The Africa Go Green Fund (“AGG”) will provide KSh 1.4 Billion ($11 million) of long-term senior debt. This is supported by an additional KSh 0.5 Billion ($4 million) investment from InfraCo Africa, part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), and from Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank FMO. The primary objective is to scale Mawingu’s affordable home Internet proposition to underserved communities in East Africa by acquiring and growing ISPs in the target markets.
Mawingu’s Chief Executive Officer, Farouk Ramji said, “Today marks an incredibly important day for the African telecommunications market. Mawingu has grown from a start-up to an established Kenyan telco player and now through the acquisition of Habari, a Tanzanian ISP, to expand both its footprint and impact in the East Africa region. Mawingu and Habari share the same values, strong financial metrics, and the same dedication to connecting the rural and peri-urban market. This acquisition, along with an additional $15 million of financing, will enable Mawingu to deliver its value proposition of affordable Internet connectivity to homes in Tanzania that has only connected 300,000 out of 14,000,000 homes.”
“Mawingu has created overwhelming successes in its Kenyan business and we believe the Habari acquisition will provide a robust foundation from which to replicate and scale our successes in Tanzania and beyond. We are excited to be one-step closer to positively impacting 1,000,000 East Africans by 2028,” he continued.
Laurène Aigrain, Managing Director of Africa Go Green Fund, says, “We’re thrilled to support an ISP that’s not only expanding Internet access to remote communities but doing so with sustainability at its core. This investment aligns perfectly with Africa Go Green’s mission to back climate-friendly solutions that drive real change. This investment underscores our commitment to a climate-resilient Africa, where connectivity and sustainability go hand-in-hand to support economic growth and environmental stewardship.”
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