Cassava Technologies and AXON Networks have announced a landmark partnership to launch Africa's first Operator-as-a-Service (OaaS) platform. This collaboration aims to transform digital infrastructure by leveraging artificial intelligence and Cassava's extensive fiber network. The announcement was made at the Counder Conference 2026 in Cape Town, signaling a major advancement for Africa's technology landscape.
A New Paradigm in Network Management
The new platform integrates AXON's intelligent, AI-ready software with Cassava's more than 110,000 kilometers of terrestrial and submarine fiber. This collaboration creates a programmable, AI-managed network, moving away from traditional hardware-centric models. The service is designed to offer unprecedented agility and efficiency to telecommunications providers and businesses of all sizes.
At its core, the OaaS platform utilizes AXON's digital twin technology to create a dynamic, virtual model of the physical network. This enables real-time monitoring, autonomous self-optimization, and predictive maintenance, significantly reducing the need for manual intervention. As a result, network services can be provisioned and modified in near real-time, a process that previously took days.
Enhancing Network Resilience and Stability
This initiative directly addresses persistent network stability challenges across Africa, where issues like frequent fiber cuts have historically hampered connectivity. The platform's self-learning and self-healing capabilities are designed to improve network resilience and ensure more reliable service delivery. This enhanced stability is crucial for supporting the continent's rapidly digitizing economies and critical business operations.
By reducing operational complexity and automating management, the platform aims to lower costs for service providers like mobile network operators and ISPs. This efficiency can translate into more accessible and affordable high-speed data services for end-users. The partnership ultimately seeks to build a more robust foundation for digital innovation and economic development throughout the region.
Executive Vision for a Digital Africa
Hardy Pemhiwa, President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies, emphasized the shift towards a dynamic digital platform. He stated that the partnership allows Cassava to meet the growing demand for flexible, high-performance network solutions. This transformation is key to supporting the digital journeys of customers by providing faster and more reliable connectivity.
Martin Manniche, CEO and founder of AXON Networks, described the project as virtualizing infrastructure into a live, AI-driven ecosystem. He highlighted that the platform will leverage Cassava's backbone to foster growth, prosperity, and AI sovereignty for Africa. This collaboration represents a foundational step in building the continent's future AI economy.
A Cornerstone of Cassava's AI Strategy
This OaaS platform is a critical component of Cassava's broader strategy to become a leader in Africa's AI landscape. The company has already launched a dedicated Cassava AI business unit and announced plans to build an "AI Factory" with NVIDIA. These initiatives demonstrate a concerted effort to develop comprehensive AI capabilities and infrastructure across the continent.
The collaboration between Cassava Technologies and AXON Networks marks a pivotal moment for Africa's digital infrastructure development. By launching the continent's first Operator-as-a-Service platform, they are not just enhancing connectivity but are laying the groundwork for a more autonomous and AI-enabled future. This strategic initiative is poised to accelerate digital transformation, empower businesses, and unlock new economic opportunities across Africa.