Ericsson’s Majda Lahlou Kassi on Empowering Africa’s Digital Economy through 5G-A & AI

Details: Staff Writer; Category: Vendors; 23 December 2025; 11461 views

Ericsson is widely recognized as a European telecom technology leader, but its legacy in Africa is equally profound. Since installing some of the first telephone exchanges in South Africa in 1896, Ericsson has played a pivotal role in building networks across every generation; from the earliest generations to today’s advanced 5G infrastructure. Now, Ericsson is at the forefront of Africa’s next connectivity wave, enabling operators to modernize networks, expand 5G coverage, and deliver inclusive digital services, all while reducing total cost of ownership and energy consumption.

Recently, Majda Lahlou Kassi, Vice President and Head of Ericsson West and Southern Africa, spoke with Developing Telecoms about how Ericsson is supporting the transformation of Africa’s digital ecosystem. The focus: sustainable growth, economic development, and creating opportunities across the continent.

Africa in Motion: A Vision for Digital Transformation

“Africa in Motion” is more than a slogan, it encapsulates Ericsson’s holistic commitment to the continent. As Majda explains, “We play a key role in developing digital infrastructure in its broadest sense. While mobile networks are central, we’re also focused on digitizing industries such as mining, ports, public safety, and other sectors critical to Africa’s economy.”

Ericsson’s efforts extend beyond technology deployment. The company invests heavily in building digital skills through partnerships with global institutions and local governments, sharing expertise in AI, cloud, and mobile networks via the Ericsson Educate programs. The Ericsson Graduate program, for example, onboards young talent and provides a year of hands-on development to prepare them for careers in ICT.

Africa in Motion is about more than connectivity, it’s about empowering partners, operators, and industries, building capacity, and leveraging technology to address some of the continent’s biggest challenges, including energy efficiency and sustainability.

AI in Emerging Markets: Today’s Realities and Tomorrow’s Potential

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a term that resonates across the globe, driving discussions and innovation in both established and emerging markets. As Majda Lahlou Kassi points out, AI is not a monolithic technology but encompasses a wide spectrum of capabilities and approaches. These range from traditional machine learning methods, which analyze patterns and make predictions based on data, to generative AI, which can create new content and solutions. Looking to the future, the emergence of agentic AI promises to push boundaries even further, with systems capable of independently developing code and software that surpass current technological limits. This diversity within AI underscores its transformative potential for industries and societies worldwide.

AI-Driven Network Optimization and Industry Transformation

Ericsson’s integration of artificial intelligence into its products spans more than twenty years, reflecting a longstanding commitment to technological advancement and operational efficiency. AI has been central to optimizing network performance while addressing the significant challenge of energy consumption, particularly acute in the African context.

As Majda Lahlou Kassi explains, each successive generation of mobile technology brings higher energy requirements. To address this, Ericsson’s ongoing strategy focuses on “breaking the energy curve.” By leveraging AI, the CSPs can intelligently manage network traffic, predict usage peaks and valleys, and dynamically adjust equipment energy consumption. This targeted approach is already delivering tangible benefits for network operators across Africa, demonstrating a real-world application of AI that aligns with the region’s unique challenges.

Looking toward the future, AI is set to become the foundation of autonomous network with systems capable of designing, optimizing, and managing traffic with minimal human intervention. In sectors such as mining, AI technologies are already making significant contributions by streamlining operations, enhancing safety protocols, and supporting sustainability goals. These advancements underscore AI’s transformative potential not only for telecom networks but also for critical industries that drive Africa’s economic development.

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: Meeting Africa’s Unique Challenges

Deploying artificial intelligence-driven networks in a sustainable manner is a significant challenge worldwide, but it is particularly pronounced in Africa due to the unreliability of power grids throughout the continent. Ericsson addresses this challenge with a pragmatic approach: before implementing any AI application, the company carefully assesses its energy impact, weighing the benefits against the associated energy costs. These evaluations are guided by Ericsson’s overarching commitment to achieving net zero emissions.

Africa holds unique potential to leapfrog over traditional, fossil fuel-based energy solutions by widely adopting solar and other renewable energy sources. According to Majda, ongoing discussions focus on how best to deploy AI, whether through centralized data centers or by utilizing edge computing technologies. This presents Africa with the opportunity to develop new industries without increasing its carbon footprint, provided that governance, financing, and collaboration within the ecosystem are effectively integrated.

While the promise of AI in transforming industries and societies is substantial, so too are the energy-related challenges that must be addressed. Moving forward will require a combination of innovative thinking, integrated technological solutions, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability at every stage of network deployment and operation.

AI at the Edge: Bringing Intelligence Closer to Users

Deploying artificial intelligence at the edge refers to bringing computational intelligence closer to end users, rather than relying exclusively on centralized, remote data centers. This paradigm shift is pivotal for the evolution from 5G to 6G networks, as it directly influences operational costs, energy consumption, and overall network performance.

Accelerating Africa’s 5G Evolution

The rapid adoption of 5G technology is positioning it as critical infrastructure across Africa. To fully realize the benefits of 5G, transitioning to 5G Standalone (SA) is essential. 5G SA offers lower latency and increased capacity, enabling support for mission-critical applications in industries such as mining and public safety. As Africa is still in the early stages of its 5G rollout, there exists a unique opportunity for the continent to leapfrog directly to 5G SA, bypassing transitional steps and embracing the advantages of next-generation connectivity.

Empowering Key Sectors with Private 5G Networks

Private 5G networks are becoming increasingly important for the digital transformation of vital sectors. These dedicated networks facilitate secure, high-performance connectivity, which is essential for industries seeking to modernize operations and improve efficiency.

The Future of Africa’s Digital Economy

Looking ahead, the integration of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and 5G technology will play a defining role in the future of Africa’s digital economy. Together, these technologies will unlock new opportunities for growth, innovation, and progress, shaping the continent’s development in the years to come.