Axian Telecom, a Mauritius-based telecommunications firm, has acquired a 99.63 percent stake in Wananchi Group Holdings Ltd, the parent company of Zuku and Simbanet, for an undisclosed amount. This marks a significant takeover in East Africa’s broadband market.

• Wananchi Group operates the Zuku brand for consumer broadband and pay-TV, and Simbanet for enterprise connectivity across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi.
• The acquisition was completed through Axian’s subsidiary, Axian Telecom Fibre Ltd (Yas), which already has operations in Tanzania, Madagascar, Comoros, Senegal, and Togo.
• Zuku’s market share in Kenya has declined to approximately 12.7 percent by June 2025, down from 15.4 percent earlier in the year, with Safaricom Home Fibre leading at about 34.3 percent.