The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private-sector arm of the World Bank Group, has granted a €25 million loan to Yas Comoros, a subsidiary of Axian Telecom, to deploy 5G and fibre optic infrastructure across the Comoros Islands. The goal: accelerate the country's full digital transformation by 2030.
IFC's second bet on Axian in Comoros
This is not the first time. In 2019, the IFC invested €13 million in Yas Comoros — a loan that has since been fully repaid, a testament to the operator's financial discipline. This second commitment, nearly double in size, reflects renewed IFC confidence in Axian Telecom's model. Yas Comoros is described internally as «the fastest-growing entity in the group». With operations across sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean — including Madagascar, Togo, and Tanzania — Axian is cementing its regional footprint.
5G, FTTH and FTTO: a three-pillar infrastructure push
The €25 million is directed at three priority projects: deploying 5G technology, rolling out fibre to the home (FTTH) and fibre to the office (FTTO). The stated ambition is to «democratise access to mobile and fixed broadband» in an archipelago where connectivity remains one of the most binding constraints on economic development. Priority beneficiaries include local SMEs, public services, health and education facilities, as well as women, youth, and rural communities.
A digital ecosystem taking shape
The IFC loan fits into a broader picture. The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Africa Climate Development Finance Mechanism (MCDF) are also supporting feasibility studies for additional connectivity projects in Comoros. The convergence of these financing streams could mark a turning point for an archipelago that ranks among the most digitally underserved economies in the Indian Ocean region. The 2030 full-digitalisation target now has credible international financial backing behind it.
Why it matters
For Indian Ocean businesses, Comoros represents a market of nearly 900,000 people still largely untapped for digital services. The roll-out of 5G and fibre will unlock new opportunities in e-commerce, mobile fintech, and B2B services. For regional decision-makers, this investment signals Comoros' formal entry into the Indian Ocean's digital transformation race.
Sources: Afrique IT News; IFC (World Bank Group), Yas Comoros financing announcement; Axian Group; French Treasury, Indian Ocean economic brief, August 21, 2026.