AXIAN Telecom has officially completed the acquisition of 99.63% of Wananchi Group (Holdings) Ltd, the parent company behind Zuku and Simbanet, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion strategy across East Africa.
The announcement, made on November 5, 2025, confirms that the deal — which was first reported in September 2024 — has finally come to fruition after regulatory approvals and due diligence. The acquisition was executed through AXIAN Telecom Fibre Ltd, also known as Yas, a subsidiary of AXIAN Telecom Holding and Management PLC.
Strengthening Yas’s East African presence
Yas now gains control of one of East Africa’s most established fibre networks, positioning itself as a leading fixed broadband and enterprise connectivity provider across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi. With Wananchi’s assets, Yas’s fibre reach now exceeds one million homes passed in the region. In Kenya alone, Wananchi Group controls 12.7% of the fixed internet market share as of June 2025, which is over 270,000 subscribers.
East Africa has been one of the fastest-growing broadband markets on the continent, driven by rising data demand and enterprise digitalisation. The integration of Wananchi is expected to strengthen Yas’s footprint in these high-growth markets, especially in Tanzania, where it already operates, and Kenya and Uganda, which represent new vibrant markets for the company.
Zuku and Simbanet to continue operations
Under the deal, Wananchi’s consumer and enterprise operations — Zuku (home broadband and TV) and Simbanet (enterprise connectivity and SD-WAN solutions) — will continue to operate under their existing brands, at least for now. Yas says it will maintain continuity of employment and business operations, ensuring a smooth transition for employees, customers, and partners.
However, the company hinted that enhanced investment capacity and group-wide expertise will accelerate the rollout of FTTH (Fiber To The Home), SD-WAN, and cloud connectivity solutions across the region.
AXIAN Telecom CEO Hassan Jaber said Wananchi’s network, customer base, and local expertise perfectly align with Yas’s ambitions:
"Wananchi Group’s network, customer relationships, and local expertise align perfectly with our ambition to be a leader in broadband connectivity across Africa. Yas already has a strong presence in East Africa, and this acquisition builds on our deep understanding of the region’s opportunities and needs while giving us access to new vibrant markets in Kenya and Uganda."Bertrand Lacroix, CEO of AXIAN Telecom Fibre, added:
"Our goal is to build a leading pan-African broadband connectivity provider, and Wananchi’s addition is a big step forward. We are committed to bringing high-speed Internet to millions more Africans."Yas’s acquisition of Wananchi brings Zuku and Simbanet into AXIAN Telecom’s growing African portfolio, setting the stage for greater broadband competition and infrastructure investment across East Africa — particularly in Kenya, where Zuku remains a well-known but long-stagnant home internet provider.
