Ericsson Expands in Africa: Zamtel Signs 5G Partnership, June 08

Ericsson signed a memorandum of understanding with Zamtel, Zambia’s state-linked mobile operator, to deploy private 4G and 5G networks for enterprise customers. The agreement, formalized during a visit by Ericsson’s head of Eastern and Northern Africa, positions the Swedish equipment maker deeper in the region as local rivals accelerate 5G rollouts. Zambia’s telecoms market is shifting from basic mobile services to business connectivity solutions.

Zambia’s 5G Race Heats Up

Zambia’s mobile market added 9.9% more active subscriptions to reach 23 million in 2024, according to PwC Zambia. Airtel Networks held 47.9% market share, MTN had 27.8%, Zamtel held 22.9%, and ZedMobile held 1.4% in 2024. All three major operators have launched or begun rolling out 5G services, intensifying competition for enterprise customers beyond traditional consumer mobile services.

What Private Networks Do

A private mobile network is a dedicated 4G LTE or 5G network built for a specific site or customer, offering stronger control, coverage, and security than public networks. Ericsson says companies use private networks when they need automation, reliability, and efficiency beyond what Wi-Fi or public cellular can provide. Zamtel plans to offer these solutions to businesses seeking secure, high-performance connectivity.

Broader Digital Strategy for Zambia

Zamtel framed the Ericsson partnership as part of its strategy to support Zambia’s digital agenda through partnerships and emerging technologies. PwC Zambia noted that telecoms play a vital role in Zambia’s development, not only for communications but also through mobile financial services. Enterprise networks can feed into payments, logistics, and other digital services, extending beyond connectivity into broader economic transformation.

Ericsson’s Expanding African Footprint

The Zamtel deal adds to Ericsson’s growing presence in Africa. In May 2026, Telstra and Ericsson signed a letter of intent to collaborate on 6G research, showing the company’s push into next-generation networks globally. Ericsson’s strategy spans both current 5G deployments and future 6G development across multiple regions.

Final Thoughts

Ericsson’s Zamtel partnership signals growing demand for private enterprise networks in emerging markets. With African operators racing to deploy 5G and expand beyond consumer services, the deal positions Ericsson to capture infrastructure spending in a region with rising connectivity needs.

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