Maziv’s R9 Billion Bet on South Africa’s Digital Future

Dietlof Maré, CEO of Maziv

At the sixth South Africa Investment Conference 2026, Maziv made one of the most significant commitments to the country’s digital infrastructure to date, pledging R9 billion over the next five years to accelerate high-speed connectivity across South Africa.

“The investment is a powerful catalyst for digital inclusion. This is much more than infrastructure; it’s about changing lives. By bringing high speed connectivity to every corner of the country, we are ensuring that more people than ever before can participate in the digital economy,” said Dietlof Maré.

Beyond infrastructure, the investment carries a clear socio-economic mandate. Maziv has committed to creating 10,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities over the next seven years, positioning the rollout as both a connectivity drive and a large-scale job creation initiative.

The announcement follows regulatory approval of Vodacom’s acquisition of a 30% stake in Maziv by the Competition Commission and ICASA, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s expansion strategy.

For Maziv, the investment is as much about access as it is about scale. The rollout will prioritise underserved and low-income communities, aiming to close the digital divide by extending high-quality broadband to areas historically left behind. In practical terms, this shifts connectivity from a commercial service to a foundational utility, one that enables participation in the modern economy.

A key component of the strategy is its social infrastructure commitment. Every public or private school, clinic and library passed by Maziv’s network will receive 1 Gbps of free, uncapped internet access. This positions connectivity not just as a convenience, but as a tool for education, healthcare delivery and community development.

The employment impact is expected to ripple across multiple layers of the economy. While some roles will be created directly, a significant portion will flow through an ecosystem of SMMEs, installers and local service providers. This approach supports both skills development and entrepreneurship, particularly in technical and infrastructure-related fields.

Maziv’s open-access model remains central to its long-term strategy. By enabling multiple internet service providers to operate on its network, the company aims to drive competition, improve service quality and reduce costs for consumers. In a market where affordability remains a barrier, this model could prove critical in expanding meaningful access.

As South Africa continues to navigate the demands of a digital-first economy, investments of this scale carry weight beyond balance sheets. They shape how people learn, work and participate in broader economic systems.

Maziv’s R9 billion commitment is, at its core, a long-term play on inclusion, infrastructure and opportunity, one that signals growing confidence in the country’s digital trajectory.