Overview

AXIAN Group is a pan-African conglomerate headquartered in Madagascar with interests spanning telecommunications, energy, financial services, real estate, and innovation. Its mission is to drive digital, financial, and energy inclusion across Africa.

Entry into Tanzania

In 2022, AXIAN entered Tanzania by acquiring telecom operations previously run under Tigo and Zantel. This move was made in partnership with local businessman Rostam Aziz. The acquisition brought millions of mobile subscribers into AXIAN’s portfolio, marking a significant step in expanding its footprint in East Africa.

Rebranding & Operations

Following the acquisition, AXIAN rebranded the telecom business as Yas Tanzania. The mobile financial services arm was also rebranded to Mixx by Yas, aligning with the group’s broader digital and fintech strategy. The company has also invested in telecom infrastructure through Towerco of Africa Tanzania, which manages mobile towers across the country.

Investments & Expansion

AXIAN has been channeling substantial investments into Tanzania, particularly in expanding mobile broadband and preparing for 5G rollout. Recent funding partnerships have been directed toward strengthening 4G coverage, extending digital services to underserved areas, and modernizing infrastructure.

Market Presence & Impact

AXIAN serves millions of Tanzanian customers with mobile services, internet, and mobile financial solutions. The group sees Tanzania as a growth driver, with its youthful population, rising smartphone adoption, and increasing demand for digital connectivity.

Opportunities

Connectivity Growth: Rising smartphone usage and data demand create opportunities for network expansion.

5G Development: AXIAN is positioning itself to lead in advanced services like 5G and IoT.

Financial Inclusion: Through mobile money and fintech solutions, it aims to bring more Tanzanians into formal financial systems.

Infrastructure Synergy: Controlling both towers and telecom operations allows for cost efficiencies and faster rollout.

Challenges

Competitive Market: Strong rivals like Vodacom and Airtel push AXIAN to differentiate.

Regulatory Pressures: Licensing, spectrum management, and price regulations can affect profitability.

High Investment Needs: Building nationwide broadband and 5G requires heavy capital.

Integration Issues: Merging legacy systems from Tigo and Zantel into AXIAN’s framework can be complex.

Rural Access: Extending affordable services to remote areas remains costly and logistically challenging.