Geneva, Switzerland – Ilitha Telecommunications has secured a major investment from Meridiam at the UN’s ITU conference, aiming to expand high-speed fibre access to 500,000 low-income households in South Africa, bridging the digital divide and driving economic growth.
Ilitha Telecommunications has announced a significant investment from Meridiam at the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The ambition is to expand Ilitha’s high-speed fibre network to at least 500,000 low-income homes, impacting over 2 million South Africans, and unlocking economic opportunity and job creation in these underserved communities.
“Access to affordable, high-speed internet is a fundamental human right and an enabler of economic opportunity,” said Vuyani Jarana, CEO and Founder of Ilitha Telecommunications. “Yet many people living in townships and rural areas lack access and remain locked out of opportunity. This investment from Meridiam will help bridge that gap by significantly expanding broadband access and opening doors to education, healthcare, and economic participation, while directly contributing to job creation and fostering entrepreneurship in the communities thatneed it most.”
“Access to affordable, high-speed internet is a fundamental human right and an enabler of economic opportunity,” said Vuyani Jarana, CEO and Founder of Ilitha Telecommunications. “Yet many people living in townships and rural areas lack access and remain locked out of opportunity. This investment from Meridiam will help bridge that gap by significantly expanding broadband access and opening doors to education, healthcare, and economic participation, while directly contributing to job creation and fostering entrepreneurship in the communities thatneed it most.”
Vuyani Jarana, CEO and Founder of Ilitha Telecommunications
Empowering Underserved Communities with Digital Connectivity
The investment will focus on rolling out affordable, high-speed fibre internet to underserved
communities across South Africa, starting in the Eastern Cape. By offering flexible, pay-as-you-
go broadband internet plans for as low as R3 per day or R90 per month using fibre to the home
and on-the-go WIFI from hotspots rolled-out in the area, Iltha is making connectivity accessible
to households that would otherwise struggle to afford it. This will empower communities by providing access to essential online services in education,healthcare, and create much needed economic opportunity.
Unlocking Economic Growth Through Job Creation
In addition to connectivity, this expansion will create significant employment opportunities, helping address persistent unemployment challenges, especially among youth and women. Previous deployments have shown that for every 36 homes connected, one job is created throughout the project, either directly in infrastructure deployment or indirectly through local service and support roles.
Not only does Ilitha aim to close the digital divide, but it will also have a transformative effect on local economies, creating jobs and fostering small businesses. With reliable internet access, township entrepreneurs can expand their businesses, students can learn, and families can access critical services that are increasingly delivered online. Partnership for Sustainable Infrastructure and Growth “With this investment, we aim to play a catalytic role in the nascent but fast-growing internet market in the underserved areas of South Africa,” said Marie Lam Frendo, Meridiam Partner, Chief Strategy Officer.“ But even more importantly, we expect to contribute to a tangible positive social and economic impact on township communities by providing them with reliable, affordable and fast internet connectivity”.
Founded in 2019, Ilitha received its initial investment from Microsoft Airband. Scaling up of Ilitha’s network rollout into these communities will not only bring them affordable quality broadband, but arguably, more importantly, will also create jobs, empower youth and women with much-needed skills in optic fibre installations and maintenance and broader digital domain; and create opportunities for entrepreneurship. This new phase of expansion marks a significant leap toward closing the digital divide and building a more connected and inclusive South Africa, where access to the internet unlocks limitless possibilities for all. “With this latest funding, Ilitha is poised to enhance digital access and play a pivotal role in reshaping South Africa’s economic landscape, one connected home at a time,” concludes Jarana.
About Meridiam
Meridiam was founded in 2005 by Thierry Déau, with the belief that the alignment of interests between the public and private sector can provide critical solutions to the collective needs of communities. Meridiam is an independent investment Benefit Corporation and an asset manager. The firm specializes in the development, financing, and long-term management of sustainable public infrastructure in three core sectors: sustainable mobility, critical public services and innovative low carbon solutions. With offices in Addis Ababa, Amman, Dakar,Istanbul, Johannesburg, Libreville, Luxembourg, Paris, Vienna and Washington, Meridiam manages over US$22 billion and more than 125 projects to date. Meridiam is certified ISO 9001: 2015, Advanced Sustainability Rating by VigeoEiris (Moody’s), ISO 37001 Anti-Corruption certification by AFNOR and applies a unique methodology in relation to ESG and impact based on United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ilitha Telecommunications’ partnership with Meridiam marks a pivotal step in bridging South Africa’s digital divide. By expanding affordable high-speed internet to half a million low-income households, the initiative will unlock economic opportunities, drive job creation, and empower underserved communities. As Ilitha scales its network, this investment signals a transformative shift—one where connectivity becomes a catalyst for education, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.
