Yas, a subsidiary of AXIAN Telecom Holding & Management PLC, has successfully completed the acquisition of 99.63% of Wananchi Group (Holdings) Ltd, the parent company of Zuku and Simbanet, in a deal valued at approximately US$63 million(approximately shs222billion)
The transaction marks a major milestone in AXIAN Telecom’s regional growth strategy, reinforcing its leadership in fibre connectivity and expanding its operational footprint across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi.
Through the acquisition, Yas is set to enhance its position as a leading provider of broadband and fibre services, leveraging Wananchi Group’s extensive infrastructure alongside AXIAN Telecom’s strong investment capacity and technical expertise.
According to Hassan Jaber, CEO of AXIAN Telecom, the acquisition is a strategic step toward making high-quality digital connectivity more accessible and affordable across East Africa.
“East Africa remains a priority growth market for AXIAN Telecom, and Uganda in particular offers tremendous opportunities for innovation, digital inclusion, and sustainable infrastructure development,” Jaber said.
He noted that both Zuku and Simbanet will continue to operate under their existing brand identities in the near term, ensuring service continuity, pricing stability, and customer confidence throughout the integration process.
Yas reaffirmed its commitment to retaining local talent in Uganda while progressively introducing AXIAN’s international best practices and customer-centric service models.
“Our first priority is to ensure a smooth transition for both customers and employees. We are bringing new capital, advanced technology, and fresh opportunities—all while preserving the trust and familiarity Ugandans associate with Zuku and Simbanet,” Jaber added.
Over the next 12 to 24 months, Yas plans to upgrade Wananchi’s fibre network in Uganda, focusing on enhanced speed, reliability, and coverage. The roadmap includes network densification, expansion of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connectivity, and the introduction of enterprise cloud services, Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, and advanced customer experience platforms.
Jaber emphasized that Wananchi Group’s strong network and customer relationships align perfectly with AXIAN’s ambition to lead Africa’s broadband revolution.
“Together, we will unlock new potential for growth, innovation, and value creation—delivering better access and digital services for the communities and businesses we serve,” he said.
Bertrand Lacroix, CEO of AXIAN Telecom Fibre, highlighted the acquisition as a key step toward building a pan-African broadband powerhouse.
“Our goal is to bring high-speed Internet to millions more Africans. The doubling of our fixed broadband base and double-digit revenue growth show the strength of our model,” Lacroix said.
By leveraging AXIAN’s pan-African infrastructure and strategic partnerships, Yas aims to position Uganda as a regional hub for digital innovation, enabling both public and private sectors to accelerate their digital transformation.
The company reiterated its commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, emphasizing sustainable growth, local talent development, and rural digital inclusion to ensure no community is left behind.
As Uganda experiences rapid growth in online education, fintech, e-commerce, and remote work, the demand for affordable, high-speed, and reliable Internet has never been greater. Yas’s market entry is expected to bridge connectivity gaps and empower enterprises and households with the tools needed to thrive in the digital economy.
