Cassava Technologies and AXON Networks present a new Operator-as-a-Service platform that combines fibre, satellite, and wireless networks with AI-driven management tools, aiming to streamline network operations across Africa
Cassava Technologies and AXON Networks have announced a partnership to co-develop, deploy, and manage an end-to-end Operator-as-a-Service (OaaS) platform in Africa.
The platform integrates AXON’s AI-ready, real-time, multi-tenant, digital twin-enabled system with Cassava’s fibre network infrastructure, covering terrestrial and submarine routes as well as wireless connectivity. It is designed to provide mobile network operators, satellite providers, and internet service providers with a framework to manage networks in near real-time, including provisioning, modification, and monitoring of services.
The partnership was announced at the Counder Conference 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, which brought together global investors, corporate decision-makers, and family office principals.
Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group CEO of Cassava Technologies, noted that the platform aims to move beyond traditional hardware-centric infrastructure by automating network design and configuration processes. The integration of Cassava’s fibre backbone with AXON’s platform enables operators to manage connectivity and resources with reduced manual intervention.
Martin Manniche, CEO and founder of AXON Networks, explained that the solution virtualizes Cassava’s fibre network using digital twin technology. The system models the physical network to enable automated monitoring, self-learning, and optimisation of resources, intended to support service providers in scaling operations and managing network complexity.
The OaaS platform will deliver secure, high-speed connectivity and allow operators to adapt services across multiple regions efficiently. It is positioned to support expansion of network services and AI-based operational management across Africa.
AXON’s system uses digital twin modeling to represent over 110,000 km of Cassava’s fibre network, satellite capacity, and wireless links. The technology is designed to reduce operational complexity, accelerate service deployment, and improve resilience across the network.
