Swansea University-led StamiNa initiative secures funding to develop sodium-ion batteries for e-mobility. (Image source: Swansea University)

A Swansea University-led initiative has secured crucial funding to help deploy advanced battery systems in sub-Saharan Africa, supporting cleaner and more sustainable mobility solutions

The StamiNa – Sustainable Transport and Affordable Mobility through Innovation in Na-ion technology – project is one of five collaborations to receive investment from the Faraday Institution, under the second phase of the Ayrton Challenge on Energy Storage (ACES) R&D programme. Led by Swansea University, the consortium includes Coventry University, Batri Ltd, Strathmore University (Kenya), AceOn Group, and the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) in Nigeria.

These projects aim to optimise and validate battery systems that improve performance, enhance efficiency, and extend lifespan, ultimately driving the technologies closer to commercialisation.

StamiNa focuses on demonstrating and validating a new sodium-ion battery (SIB) technology through the creation of a prototype swappable battery pack tailored for e-mobility applications in East Africa.

Professor Serena Margadonna, Chair in Materials Engineering at Swansea University and project lead, said, “We’re proud to lead the StamiNa project, which brings together state-of-the-art sodium-ion battery technology developed at Swansea University with a shared vision for sustainable, equitable innovation.

“This collaboration goes beyond technology advances — it’s about delivering environmentally responsible, locally sourced solutions that are accessible to all. Together, we aim to accelerate commercialisation while supporting the growth of an African-led battery ecosystem with a local supply chain.”

SIBs offer a promising alternative to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for Africa’s e-mobility transition. They are easier to transport and face fewer supply chain challenges. The StamiNa project’s technology, jointly developed by Batri Ltd and Swansea University, utilises Prussian White cathodes and coal-derived hard carbon anodes. With energy density predicted to exceed that of commercially available SIBs, the technology stands to compete directly with LFP.

Importantly, Prussian White is synthesised in water under mild conditions and contains no nickel or cobalt, allowing for a more sustainable and energy-efficient production process that supports the creation of local supply chains.

Key objectives of the StamiNa project include:

• Scaling up production of the active materials;

• Refining electrode and cell assembly processes, and manufacturing multilayer pouch cells and 18650 cylindrical cells at Coventry University;

• Integrating cylindrical cells into AceOn’s swappable battery pack for real-world field testing on e-bikes at Strathmore University (Kenya);

• Evaluating pack performance at FUTO (Nigeria) and benchmarking against LFP and existing SIB alternatives;

• Assessing cost, supply chain viability, recyclability, and sustainability of the technology for Sub-Saharan markets.

Through this initiative, the project aims to fast-track the commercialisation of UK-developed SIB technology while helping to build a sustainable, African-led battery ecosystem that underpins clean mobility and electrification across the continent.

Vodacom Business has successfully deployed a Mobile Private Network (MPN) at Sasol’s synthetic fuel facility in Secunda, Mpumalanga 

This partnership represents a significant step forward in using next-generation connectivity to drive greater operational efficiency and digital transformation in heavy industry.

Victor Bester, Sasol’s executive vice-president of operations and projects, explained, “As part of Sasol's digitalisation journey, there is a focus on utilising technology to improve processes that impact safety and efficiency across our facilities. This initiative allows us to accelerate these efforts through improved connectivity and control of the mobile network deployed at our Secunda production facility. Our collaboration with Vodacom Business creates opportunities for us to do things differently and grow our digital maturity. We look forward to the positive impact this advanced connectivity solution will have on our operations.”

Vodacom’s MPN is designed to offer tailored, secure, and high-performance mobile network access – critical for large-scale, high-stakes environments like Sasol’s. Peter Malebye, managing executive at Vodacom Business, said, “Our MPN solution provides a dedicated, secure, and high-performance mobile network tailored to meet the specific needs of Sasol's operations. It delivers the scalability and reliability required to ensure continuity for its mission-and business-critical applications.”

According to Malebye, this level of connectivity enables far more than just smoother communication. “When all of this comes together, an organisation can ultimately bring in other innovations, such as digital twins or enable remote and autonomous operations to improve planning,” he added.

Instead of using Wi-Fi to connect around 3,000 staff across Sasol’s vast facility—which would require an enormous and costly infrastructure rollout—the MPN creates a smarter, more streamlined solution. By integrating Vodacom’s network with Sasol’s internal systems, the site now benefits from better-connected employees, equipment, and assets.

This shift not only enhances real-time monitoring but also boosts safety and compliance, enables more effective asset management, improves team collaboration, and sharpens overall operational performance. Crucially, MPNs deliver consistent coverage in areas where public mobile networks may be patchy or completely unavailable.

Unlike public mobile networks, an MPN provides exclusive access, meaning the network can be fine-tuned for specific operational needs. These networks offer increased control, robust security, and ultra-low latency.

What’s more, data processed via the MPN stays entirely on-site—an essential feature for mission-critical operations like Sasol’s, where high uptime and minimal latency are non-negotiable.

“While MPNs are becoming increasingly relevant in a South African context, they are not yet as widespread as traditional public mobile networks,” Malebye noted. “Vodacom Business has been a pioneer in developing tailored MPN offerings for our clients in the southern African region. When Sasol turned to us to embark on this digital journey, it was a privilege for us to walk alongside them and provide them with solutions they needed to transform their operations while making a positive impact on our country's industrial sector.”

Yas Comoros secures US$27mn IFC loan to expand broadband and 5G services

Yas Comoros, a subsidiary of AXIAN Telecom, has announced a new partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to fuel the next stage of digital development across the Union of the Comoros

This collaboration will support the expansion of mobile and fixed broadband infrastructure, promoting economic advancement and greater digital inclusion throughout the islands.

Under the terms of the agreement, IFC will provide a €25 million loan (approx. US$26.75mn) to accelerate infrastructure rollouts, boost network quality, and improve inter-island connectivity. This builds on the IFC’s initial €13 million (approx. US$13.91mn) loan provided in 2019, which supported Yas Comoros’ network launch after being awarded the country’s second telecom licence. That earlier loan, IFC’s first private sector investment in Comoros, was fully repaid in June 2025.

Now undergoing rapid expansion, Yas Comoros is the fastest-growing brand within the AXIAN Telecom group. This new funding will enable the company to meet increasing demand for data services, improve service standards, and invest in advanced technologies such as 5G, fibre to the home (FTTH), and fibre to the office (FTTO), with rollout beginning in 2025.

“This loan is an opportunity not only to modernise our network but also to invest in advanced technologies from 2025, including 5G rollout, FTTH, and FTTO, and thus accelerate the digitisation of the Union of the Comoros over the next five years,” commented Christophe Oliver, CEO of Yas Comoros. “We are committed to delivering improved connectivity solutions across the board, for consumers, SMEs, corporates, and public sector institutions, in alignment with the government’s digital vision,” he continued.

“This partnership with AXIAN Telecom marks a pivotal step in IFC’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation in Comoros and across Africa. This partnership not only supports the country’s digital ambitions, but also unlocks pathways for innovation, financial inclusion, and economic opportunity for all Comorians, especially women, youth, and rural communities,” said Mehita Fanny, IFC country manager for Comoros, Eswatini, Madagascar, Mozambique and Seychelles. “Investing in digital infrastructure is central to IFC’s strategy to foster sustainable development, empower local entrepreneurs, and ensure that no one is left behind in the digital age.”

Commenting on the development, minister of post, communications, digital economy and transparency of Comoros, Oumouri Mmadi Hassani said, “This loan of 25 million EUR granted to Yas Comoros by the IFC represents a key milestone for the telecommunications sector in the Comoros. It will contribute to the expansion and modernization of digital infrastructures, thus providing better connectivity to our entire population, particularly in rural areas. It will also support key projects to stimulate innovation and digital inclusion, enhancing the competitiveness of our businesses and contributing to the country's digital transformation. This is a strong commitment to a sustainable digital future, which will promote economic growth and the well-being of Comorians. We are pleased about the effective involvement of the IFC, which, through this financing, contributes significantly to the development of Comoros' digital economy with unparalleled transparency.”