Vodacom ramps up investment in Mpumalanga with ZAR620 million broadband boost

Vodacom has committed to investing ZAR620 million ($34.5 millon) in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province during its 2025–26 financial year, as it seeks to meet rising demand for connectivity.

The latest investment pushes the operator’s total spend in the province to ZAR1 billion over the past two years. In a statement, Vodacom said the move forms part of its broader strategy to drive digital inclusion across South Africa, with a particular focus on deep rural areas.

The operator invested ZAR400 million in Mpumalanga during the 2024–25 financial year, and plans to allocate the additional ZAR620 million towards expanding broadband coverage through the deployment of new 4G and 5G sites.

These sites will utilise spectrum in the 700MHz, 1800MHz, and 2100MHz bands to enhance both coverage and capacity. Currently, Vodacom operates 1,300 mobile sites in the province, of which 41% are connected to high-speed fibre.

“Data traffic in Mpumalanga has increased by over 42% year-on-year, with 90% of this carried over 4G. As demand grows, Vodacom’s network investment is not only improving connectivity for its customers in the region but also laying the groundwork for a more inclusive digital economy,” said Monde Ngcukana, Managing Executive for Vodacom Mpumalanga Region.

“By increasing coverage and capacity, we can ensure that all our customers are empowered by technology – whether through access to education and essential services or by supporting the growth of enterprises, from SMEs to the public sector, with transformative digital solutions,” he added.