Kenyan rural Internet Service Provider Mawingu raises $9m to scale its operations across the country

Kenyan rural Internet Service Provider Mawingu raises $9m to scale its operations across the country

Published: 02-02-2023 11:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau | hits: 3319 | Tags:

Rural Internet Service Provider (ISP), Mawingu has raised $9 million in Series B funding to scale its operations across Kenya. The funding was led by InfraCo Africa, part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) who invested $6 million. InfraCo Africa was joined by Mawingu’s institutional investors E3 Capital and Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank FMO, who each contributed $1.5 million.

Mawingu currently operates in 15 counties and has more than 7,500 active customers. The firm says the new round of funding will enable it to expand to an additional 25 counties in Kenya, focusing on rural markets.

Farouk Ramji, CEO, Mawingu: “Mawingu’s aim is not to simply drop an Internet cable at someone’s house. We seek to help our customers access new opportunities for work, education, entertainment, and social connections through the power of the internet. Our company’s mission is driven by this very purpose: Open Opportunities. Mawingu is positioning itself as a provider of quality Internet at affordable rates, with the capacity and desire to connect frontier regions that have never had access to meaningful internet.”

The company which rebranded last year says its ambition is to connect 250,000 Kenyans over the next five years. Its efforts have been noticed worldwide by Microsoft Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith during an interview with Bloomberg, where he acknowledged Mawingu’s contribution to the wider ambition of bringing internet access to 100 million Africans by targeting the underserved markets in Kenya.

Over the past year, Mawingu has proved that there is a demand for quality internet connectivity for commercial enterprises and homes outside of urban centers.

The company rebranded late last year with a refreshed look and company values reflecting the long-term impact Mawingu brings to its end users. Mawingu’s ambition is to connect 250,000 Kenyans over the next five years. Its efforts have been noticed worldwide by Microsoft Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith during an interview with Bloomberg, where he acknowledged Mawingu’s contribution to the wider ambition of bringing internet access to 100 million Africans by targeting the underserved markets in Kenya.

Mawingu says will begin its expansion plans in February 2023 and has set its eyes on western Kenya targeting Kisii, Migori, Bungoma, and Kakamega. This kick-off will set the pace for the year as more parts of the country will be connected monthly, moving forward.

www.mawingu.co