Kenyan ISP Mawingu secures Ksh.2.6B funding for Africa expansion

Kenyan internet service provider (ISP) Mawingu has secured a $20 million (Ksh.2.6 billion) investment from Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund II (PRIF II) to expand affordable digital infrastructure across Africa.

The start-up, founded in 2012, provides shared internet packages in rural and peri-urban areas, targeting homes and small businesses, as well as dedicated connections and services for large enterprises.

PRIF II is an African infrastructure investment fund by the South Africa-based Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Managers, and the investment marks a major step in Mawingu’s long-term growth strategy to connect 1 million people across the continent by 2028.

Mawingu CEO Farouk Ramji said they plan to achieve this through a mix of strategic acquisitions of local ISPs and the rollout of digital infrastructure in regions historically overlooked due to high investment costs and geographical barriers.

He said Mawingu is using a “buy-and-build” strategy, which combines the acquisition of successful local ISPs with the development of sustainable networks capable of serving hard-to-reach communities.

The company’s most recent expansion came through the 2024 acquisition of Tanzanian ISP Habari, which has since been rebranded under Mawingu’s umbrella.

This was in the backdrop of a $15 million backing from AfricaGoGreen Fund, InfraCo Africa, and the FMO.

Following the acquisition, Mawingu obtained a national operating license in Tanzania and says it has since added more than 3,000 home users.

As of June 2025, Communication Authority (CA) data showed that Mawingu was Kenya’s seventh largest ISP with a 3.6% market share, after Safaricom (34.3%), Jamii Telecommunications (20.6%), Wananchi Group (12.7%), Poa Internet 12.5%), Ahadi Wireless (7.5%), and Vilcom Network (4.1%).