Cassava Technologies has entered into a strategic partnership with AXON Networks to co-develop and deploy Africa’s first end-to-end Operator-as-a-Service platform, a move aimed at accelerating artificial intelligence adoption and digital transformation across the continent.

The collaboration brings together Cassava’s expansive high-speed fibre infrastructure and AXON’s AI-ready, real-time network platform, which uses digital twin technology to model and manage complex network environments. 

The partners say the platform will enable businesses and service providers to deploy and manage network services with greater speed, flexibility and efficiency, opening new opportunities for innovation and economic growth.

The partnership was unveiled at the Counder Conference 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, a high-profile gathering of global investors, corporate leaders and family offices focused on private capital and emerging market opportunities.

Cassava President and Group Chief Executive Officer Hardy Pemhiwa said the agreement marks a shift away from traditional, hardware-centric network infrastructure towards programmable, AI-managed systems. He noted that as businesses increasingly digitise their operations, demand is growing for cost-effective, high-performance networks that reduce manual design and configuration processes.

“By partnering with AXON Networks, we are transforming our pan-continental fibre network into a dynamic digital platform,” Pemhiwa said. “This will allow us to provision and modify customer networks in near real time, rather than days or weeks, significantly reducing operational costs while expanding access for customers and service providers.”

The Operator-as-a-Service platform is designed to serve enterprises of all sizes, as well as telecommunications players including mobile network operators, low-earth-orbit satellite providers and internet service providers. 

By offering secure, private, high-speed data infrastructure, the platform is expected to support service providers in scaling their operations and accelerating AI-driven services across Africa.

AXON Networks founder and chief executive Martin Manniche described the partnership as a major step towards building an AI-enabled digital ecosystem on the continent. He said the integration of AXON’s digital twin technology with Cassava’s fibre footprint and data centre investments would virtualise network infrastructure into a self-learning, autonomous system.

“We’re not just mirroring networks — we’re creating a live, AI-driven ecosystem that will support growth, innovation and AI sovereignty across Africa,” Manniche said. “This partnership lays the foundation for the continent’s AI economy and positions Africa to shape its own digital future.”

Counder leadership welcomed the announcement, describing it as a clear example of how strategic collaboration between global technology players can unlock impact in emerging markets. The conference organisers said hosting the announcement in Cape Town underscored the city’s growing role as a hub for innovation and investment conversations.

AXON’s OaaS solution will create a dynamic digital model of Cassava’s network, which spans more than 110,000 kilometres of terrestrial and submarine fibre, alongside satellite and wireless connectivity. 

The companies say the platform will reduce network complexity, improve resilience, lower costs and accelerate service delivery by enabling networks to become self-optimising and autonomous.