The International Finance Corporation ( IFC ), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is providing two loans totalling €370 million ( US$429.37 million ) to support the subsidiaries of Maroc Telecom in Chad and Mali.

The financing will support the rollout of 4G services, bringing faster, more reliable internet to more people and businesses in the two countries.

Maroc Telecom, headquartered in Rabat, Morocco, is owned 53% by the United Arab Emirates-based telecommunications company e& ( formerly Etisalat ) and 22% by the Kingdom of Morocco, with the remaining 25% being listed on the Casablanca and Paris stock exchanges.  

It has more than 79 million customers, including 57 million in its Moov Africa brand subsidiaries, which have a strong presence across West Africa and Central Africa.

“Supporting cross-border investments through regional champions like Maroc Telecom is a strategic priority for IFC – especially in fragile and conflict-affected areas, where economic development fosters stability,” says IFC managing director Makhtar Diop. “By mobilizing private capital to expand digital infrastructure, we’re unlocking opportunities for innovation, skills development, and job creation across Africa – fully aligned with the continent’s priorities.”

These investments align with the African Union’s ambition to build a secure single digital market in Africa by 2030.

“Operating in the sub-Saharan Africa region for more than 20 years, Maroc Telecom Group’s strategy is to enhance telecommunication and associated products to serve a fast-growing young population,” says Mohamed Benchaaboun, CEO of Maroc Telecom.

“This long-term financial partnership with IFC in Chad and Mali will boost network coverage with a better quality of service, allowing massive adoption of 4G and supporting the countries’ development. It will also provide further opportunities to enhance the portfolio of offers and services."