By 
By Osasome, C.O
Tizeti, West Africa’s pioneering solar-powered internet service provider, has launched its cutting-edge FreeFiber broadband service in Nigeria and Ghana, setting a new standard for internet speed, accessibility, and affordability in the region.
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This groundbreaking initiative aims to bridge significant connectivity gaps. At the same time, it is challenging LEOs competitors like Starlink and other fiber internet providers.
Closing Connectivity Gaps in West Africa
The FreeFiber service offers hyper-mega speeds of over 1 Gbps, far surpassing the regional average of 28 Mbps. It is available in Lagos and Port Harcourt in Nigeria and Accra in Ghana. But the service is poised to expand to multiple cities within the next 12 months. With free installation and a complimentary first-month subscription, Tizeti’s offering is a game-changer in delivering high-speed, reliable internet to homes and businesses across underserved regions.
The launch comes at a time when Africa’s fixed internet penetration rate remains below 5%. The continent lags behind the global average in fiber infrastructure. By leveraging its solar-powered infrastructure and over a decade of experience, Tizeti aims to reduce these deficits and bring affordable connectivity to millions.
Innovative Technology and Features
Tizeti’s fiber-optic broadband not only delivers unparalleled internet speed but also integrates features like:
- VoIP Services: Free international calls to key countries with large African populations, including the US, Canada, Australia, and Germany.
- Low-Latency Gaming Support: A dedicated fiber port for ultra-low latency and smooth online gaming.
- Referral Program: Customers can enjoy up to five months of free service through a unique referral initiative.
- Tizeti Teleport Services: Relaunch of services providing access to US IP addresses and wallets.
According to Kendall Ananyi, CEO of Tizeti:
“Fiber is the next generation of internet technology, offering unmatched speed and reliability. Our FreeFiber service delivers speeds 50 times faster than existing offerings and 10 times faster than 5G or LEO satellite services like Starlink. This positions us as a leader in bridging Africa’s digital divide.”
Competitive Impact on LEO Satellite Providers
Tizeti’s aggressive rollout of fiber infrastructure challenges LEO satellite internet providers such as Elon Musk’s Starlink, which has rapidly gained traction in Africa. While Starlink boasts high-speed connectivity, experts highlight the cost-effectiveness of fiber networks like Tizeti’s as a key advantage.
Tizeti’s solar-powered infrastructure and lower operational costs enable it to offer competitive pricing. Thus, the ISP is able to make high-speed internet more accessible to the average consumer. In contrast, Starlink may face hurdles in sustaining its growth without deploying additional satellites and reducing service costs.
Addressing Africa’s Digital Divide
Despite recent advances in subsea cable deployments, Africa still faces a stark fiber infrastructure deficit, with only one million kilometers of fiber compared to over five billion kilometers globally. This gap underscores the importance of initiatives like Tizeti’s FreeFiber, which extends international backhaul into cities and towns, creating pathways for economic growth and digital transformation.
Tizeti’s Commitment to Digital Inclusion
Tizeti has served over four million users through its extensive solar-powered base stations across West Africa. The company’s partnerships with global tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and USAID further reinforce its mission to provide reliable and affordable connectivity to underserved regions.
Temitope Osunrinde, VP of Marketing & Partnerships at Tizeti, described the FreeFiber launch as a groundbreaking step toward redefining connectivity in West Africa:
“This initiative addresses the significant connectivity gaps that persist despite the milestones achieved in the last decade. It is designed to tackle these challenges head-on by delivering scalable and affordable solutions.”
Future of Connectivity in West Africa
With plans to scale the FreeFiber service to more cities and introduce world-class facilities for innovation and collaboration, Tizeti is solidifying its position as a key player in Africa’s digital economy. As the competition between terrestrial fiber networks and LEO satellite providers intensifies, Tizeti’s commitment to sustainability, affordability, and speed could dramatically reshape the telecommunications landscape across the continent.
