Business
Avanti Maintains Position as Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading capacity partner for Two Years
Avanti Communications (“Avanti”) has been named the market-leading high-throughput satellite capacity partner in sub-Saharan Africa for two consecutive years.
The results, from the 20th edition of the NSR Satellite Capacity Supply and Demand Analysis reports that Avanti’s market share is now more than two times that of its nearest competitor.
NSR’s annual report is one of the satellite industry’s most trusted and comprehensive sources for satellite capacity analysis, offering insight into key market developments and dynamics.
Avanti has made a significant commitment to Africa. The company has ambitions to accelerate growth across the region through local partnerships and the rollout of connectivity solutions; connecting hard-to-reach rural communities and improving network resiliency for critical communications infrastructure is central to this strategy.
To date, Avanti has connected more than 1,000 villages and schools across Africa, providing services in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and South Sudan. The company has plans to connect a further 10,000 sites over the next 5 years across Africa, impacting millions of lives and enabling communities to enjoy a connected life.
Kyle Whitehill, CEO at Avanti Communications, said: “Africa is a major focus for us and so we are delighted to be recognised as the market leader, but we won’t stop there. For us, Africa’s potential is limitless and the role that we can play in unlocking this is providing connectivity solutions. Connectivity is an enabler that provides vital resources and opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities to thrive, which is why we won’t stop until we have connected the 871 million people currently living without a basic internet connection.”
Avanti has invested over $800m in Africa and already has a growing footprint across the continent. More than a fifth of the company’s employees are based in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Angola, and Benin.
Below is the Sub-Saharan market share of leased GEO-HTS capacity for 2022:
- Avanti Communications (33.1%)
- Eutelsat (15.3%) 3. YahSat (13.0%)
- Intelsat (12.9%)
- ArabSat (9.2%)
- Inmarsat (8.4%),
- Spacecom (6.2%)
- Others (2%)
About Avanti Communications
Avanti Communications is the leading Ka-band high throughput satellite capacity partner to the communications industry in EMEA – extending and guaranteeing coverage for defence missions, enterprise solutions, and critical public services.
Through the HYLAS satellite fleet and partners in 118 countries, Avanti provides dedicated fixed and flexible-beam satellite connectivity, with extensive coverage across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Avanti has invested $1.2bn in a network that incorporates orbital slots in the Ka-band spectrum, satellites, ground stations, data centres, and a fibre ring.
Business
Cybercriminals cloning DStv, other brands to steal bank accounts across Africa
According to cybersecurity company NordVPN, the campaign distributes Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and banking trojans, forms of malware that can give criminals control over infected devices and access to sensitive information.
Cybercriminals are impersonating popular companies and government agencies across Africa in a campaign designed to take over smartphones and bank accounts.
More than 100 fake websites linked to the malware campaign have been identified since August 2025.
Brands including DStv, Takealot and South African Airways, as well as the South African Revenue Service (SARS), are being used to make fraudulent messages and websites appear legitimate.
According to cybersecurity company NordVPN, the campaign distributes Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and banking trojans, forms of malware that can give criminals control over infected devices and access to sensitive information.
The attacks are particularly concerning in South Africa, where Android dominates the mobile operating system market.
NordVPN said the attacks typically begin with social engineering, where criminals send convincing messages through SMS, WhatsApp or social media.
The messages may contain urgent offers or requests involving job opportunities, tax refunds, identity renewals or pension verification.
Victims are then directed to fake websites designed to closely resemble the official websites of trusted organisations.
The sites encourage users to download an Android application. Once installed, the malicious software can operate quietly in the background, including after the smartphone is restarted.
Business
Cement price hits N16,000 per bag
The current cement prices mark a steep rise from late 2024, when a bag sold for around N7,500.
• Chairman of BUA cement, Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR)
Cement dealers across Nigeria have announced fresh price increases, with a 50kg bag now selling for as much as N16,000 in some markets, up from N13,000 recorded by buyers just days earlier.
The current cement prices mark a steep rise from late 2024, when a bag sold for around N7,500.
By the third quarter of 2025, that had risen to about N9,000 before reaching the N12,000 to N16,000 range now seen across different locations.
Other building materials have followed a similar upward path. Blocks have climbed from around N600 to N1,100 each.
Sand has gone from N165,000 to N250,000 per 30 tonnes. Granite has risen from N530,000 to N780,000 per 30 tonnes.
Reinforcing steel now costs N1.15 million per tonne, up from N850,000.
Business
Naira Exchange Rates Friday, August 21
BLACK MARKET RATES
US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,405 Sell ₦1,410
Great British Pound(GBP) Buy ₦1,890 Sell: ₦1,915
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,590 Sell ₦1,610
Canadian Dollar (CAD) Buy ₦1,020 Sell ₦1,080
South African Rand (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90Ghana CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
West African CFA Buy ₦2, 300 Sell ₦2, 400
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2,150 Sell 2,250
CBN Exchange Rates
US Dollar (USD) ₦1,374.63
Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,838.70
EURO (EUR) ₦1,574.97
Swiss Franc (CHF) ₦1,687.70
Chinese Yuan (CNY) ₦200.42
Japanese Yen (Yen) ₦8.49
West African CFA (XOF) ₦2.37
West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,848.41
Saudi Riyal (SAR) ₦358.91
South African Rand (ZAR) ₦83.35
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