Icasa approves Vodacom and Maziv merger

South Africa’s communications regulator Icasa has approved Vodacom’s plan to buy a 30 percent co-controlling stake in fibre operator Maziv. The deal still carries conditions set by competition authorities, including commitments on open access and safeguards for rival internet providers that use Maziv’s network.

Vodacom aims to deepen its fixed-line and fibre presence through the transaction, while Maziv, which owns Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa, gains a large mobile partner to support network expansion. The approval moves the merger closer to completion, but both companies must now show they can grow fibre coverage without squeezing out smaller competitors.