Mawingu Networks Ltd., a Kenyan internet service provider focused on underserved communities, has raised $20 million in Series C funding to expand affordable broadband across rural areas.
The round was led entirely by Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Managers, a Johannesburg-based private equity firm investing in African infrastructure.
Mawingu, which currently serves more than 120,000 people in Kenya, plans to use the capital to broaden its coverage in the country as it works toward a target of connecting one million East Africans by 2028.
“Raising capital in today’s environment is no small feat. It demands execution, resilience, and extraordinary people,” Chief Executive Officer Farouk Ramji said in a statement. “This Series C is more than just a financing milestone. It’s a validation of our model, our people, and our mission to transform lives through connectivity.”
Regional Expansion
The funding follows Mawingu’s move into Tanzania in 2024 through the acquisition of Habari, a 25-year-old internet service provider. That deal was financed by a $15 million debt-and-equity round backed by investors including Africa Go Green Fund, InfraCo Africa, and Dutch development bank FMO.
The company has adopted a buy-and-build strategy to scale across East Africa, targeting local ISPs to accelerate expansion and leverage existing customer bases. In Tanzania, only an estimated 300,000 of 14 million households are connected to the internet, underscoring the growth potential.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Founded to bridge the digital divide in rural and peri-urban communities, Mawingu deploys solar-powered wireless technology and community-based distribution to lower costs in areas where traditional telecom operators have limited presence.
The company has attracted backing from impact- and infrastructure-focused investors such as E3 Capital, FMO Investment Management, InfraCo Africa, and Microsoft.
With its latest round, Mawingu plans to deepen its footprint in Kenya before expanding further into East Africa, positioning itself as a regional player in affordable connectivity.