A major new partnership has been announced in Nairobi between AXIAN Telecom’s Yas, AXIAN Energy, and Proparco, aimed at accelerating Africa’s digital and energy transformation.
The agreement was signed during the Africa Forward Summit, held in Nairobi on 11–12 May, jointly organized by France and Kenya. It establishes a long-term framework for cooperation in expanding access to affordable digital services, financial inclusion tools, and clean energy solutions across the continent.
Under the partnership, Proparco has committed to providing up to EUR 300 million in financing over the next three years. The funding will support investments in sustainable digital infrastructure and renewable energy projects through a mix of corporate financing, project bonds, equity co-investments, and concessional funding.
The collaboration will focus on expanding both digital and energy infrastructure in Africa. In the digital sector, the partners aim to scale up mobile and fixed networks, particularly in underserved and rural communities, while also strengthening data centre capacity to support local digital services and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
On the energy side, the initiative will support the development of renewable energy projects including solar, wind, and hydropower, as well as battery storage systems. It will also promote telecom energy services to improve efficiency in digital infrastructure and invest in transmission, distribution, and decentralized energy systems such as mini-grids to boost rural electrification. Electric mobility and charging infrastructure are also part of the plan.
The partnership further extends into financial services, with a focus on expanding mobile money, microcredit, insurance, and savings products to deepen financial inclusion. It also aims to support African startups and innovation-driven enterprises by improving access to financing and strengthening local entrepreneurial ecosystems.
According to the partners, the agreement will also include joint technical cooperation, knowledge sharing, and training in areas such as environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, climate resilience, and impact measurement.
Speaking at the announcement, Proparco CEO Françoise Lombard said the initiative is designed to accelerate investment in resilient infrastructure that delivers meaningful impact for African communities.
AXIAN Group CEO Hassanein Hiridjee emphasized that digital and energy access are closely linked drivers of social and economic opportunity, adding that the partnership will help scale solutions that already reach millions while extending services to underserved populations.
