Mascom Wireless

Name

Mascom Wireless

Legal name

Mascom (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://mascom.bw

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711)

SIC

Radiotelephone Communications (4812)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise & B2B Mobile Network Operators (HDAIAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Carrier Billing & Telco Mobile Money (FSAMAEAD), IoT Connectivity Management (Private APN, SIM/eSIM, Device Connectivity) (HDAIAGAG)

Keywords

• Mobile telecommunications services
• Mobile money services
• Mobile network operator
• Wireless voice and data
• Mobile financial services

Headquarters

HQ city

Gaborone

HQ country

Botswana

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Mobile Voice and SMS Services: Prepaid and postpaid voice call and SMS revenue from domestic and international calls, with tariff plans for different usage patterns including MyZone dynamic discounts for prepaid subscribers.
2. Mobile Data Services: Mobile internet packages including prepaid data bundles, MySurf offers, postpaid data plans, MyHome Fibre fixed broadband, and 5G router services.
3. MyZaka Mobile Money: Transaction fees from mobile money transfers, bill payments, airtime purchases, merchant payments, and salary disbursements through the MyZaka platform.
4. Device and Hardware Sales: Sale of mobile phones, tablets, modems, routers, and related accessories through Mascom shops and online store (My71Shop).
5. Roaming Services: International roaming charges for subscribers traveling abroad, including One World Roaming packages.
6. Value Added Services: Revenue from VAS including MyTunez, MyBulkSMS, Unlimited Streaming, and other premium services.
7. Wholesale Services: Reference interconnect offers and MVNO reference offers for wholesale network access to other operators.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mascom Wireless is a Botswana-based mobile network operator providing prepaid and postpaid voice, SMS, and mobile data services over 2G/3G/4G LTE/5G networks, plus fixed fibre broadband (MyHome Fibre) and portable WiFi devices. It also operates MyZaka, a mobile money platform offering person-to-person transfers, bill payments, merchant payments, savings, salary disbursement, and device financing (MyZaka Flexi) to drive financial inclusion for unbanked and underbanked Batswana.

Product overview

Mascom Wireless is Botswana's leading telecommunications operator offering a comprehensive portfolio of mobile, internet, and digital financial services. The core product is MyZaka, a mobile money platform that serves as the foundation for financial services including MyZakaPay (digital payments) and MyZaka Flexi (device financing). The product suite includes prepaid and postpaid voice/SMS plans (MyFlexi Plan), portable WiFi devices (MyPocket WiFi), fixed broadband (MyHome Fibre), and data bundles (MySurf Offers). Value-added services include call discounts (MyZone up to 99%), airtime sharing (Nzamele), ringback tones (MyTunez), bulk SMS, loyalty rewards (Khumo Points), and device insurance. Wholesale offerings include interconnect and MVNO reference offers. The company operates 110 Kitsong Centres providing ICT access in rural communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MyZaka: Mobile money and digital financial services platform offering airtime purchases, money transfers, mobile payments, and device financing (MyZaka Flexi)
• MyZakaPay
• MyZaka Flexi
• MySurf
• Khumo Points
• Kitsong Centres
• MyTunez
• MyBulkSMS
• MyHome Fibre
• Direct BPO

Products and services

• MyZaka Mobile Money Mobile money platform enabling Mascom subscribers to store funds, transfer money peer-to-peer, pay bills, purchase airtime, and access financial services via USSD *168#. Targeted at individual consumers and merchants in Botswana for financial inclusion.
• MyZakaPay Digital Payments Digital payment solution enabling seamless transactions for goods and services directly from mobile phones via USSD, with merchant self-onboarding. Targeted at consumers and merchants across Botswana to enable digital payment acceptance for retailers, food vendors, and service providers.
• MyZaka Flexi Device Financing Botswana's first mobile device financing product allowing eligible MyZaka customers to acquire 4G-enabled smartphones and repay over 12 months with zero collateral and no paperwork. Includes bundled 2GB data valid 7 days per month for 3 months. Activated via *167# or online.mascom.bw.
• MyHome Fibre Fixed broadband internet service delivered via fibre optic connection for residential customers in Botswana. Offered as a postpaid service with monthly billing.
• MyPocket WiFi Prepaid Prepaid portable WiFi device allowing users to access internet on-the-go with flexible data packages. Targeted at individual consumers and travelers.
• MyPocket WiFi Postpaid Postpaid portable WiFi device with monthly billing for users requiring consistent mobile internet access. Targeted at individual consumers needing reliable portable connectivity.
• MySurf Offers Mobile internet data bundles with various validity periods and volumes for prepaid subscribers in Botswana. Targeted at individual consumers needing flexible mobile data access.
• MyFlexi Plan Postpaid voice and SMS plan with flexible usage allowances and monthly billing for individual subscribers. Targeted at consumers seeking predictable monthly mobile voice and messaging services.
• MyBulkSMS Bulk SMS messaging service for businesses and organizations to send mass text communications to multiple recipients. Targeted at corporate and enterprise customers needing mass communications.
• One World Roaming International roaming service enabling Mascom subscribers to use voice, SMS, and data services while traveling abroad. Targeted at individual consumers and business travelers.
• Kitsong Centres ICT community hubs in rural villages providing email, internet, computer training, mobile money services, and Mascom product access. Targeted at rural and underserved communities in Botswana, with operators functioning as trained entrepreneurs.
• Reference Interconnect Offer Wholesale interconnection service for other telecom operators requiring access to Mascom's network infrastructure. Targeted at licensed telecom operators in Botswana needing interconnection services.
• Reference Offer for MVNOs Wholesale service allowing Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) to launch mobile services using Mascom's network infrastructure. Targeted at prospective MVNO partners.
• Direct BPO Wholly-owned subsidiary of Mascom Wireless providing Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services, leveraging Mascom's operational scale and experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• 176% mobile penetration with only 49% smartphone adoption - indicating significant opportunity for device financing penetration
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ImpressUsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2025Partnership announced October 2025 to empower Batswana to monetize their creativity through digital platforms and services.
• Journey of Hope Botswana (JOHB)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 July 2025Partnership for breast health screening clinics as part of Mascom Batanani Walk 2025. Provided free breast screenings including palpations and ultrasounds at community activations.
• Sunbet BotswanaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 April 2025Joint platinum sponsorship of Ma-Sa Easter Cup Horse Race. MyZaka served as official mobile money partner for the event with betting via *167# USSD code.
• Stanbic Bank BotswanaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2025Partnership for WConnect event celebrating International Women's Day 2025, empowering female retail hawkers and Kitsong Centre Operators in business.
• Local Enterprise Authority (LEA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2025Partnership for WConnect event for women's empowerment, providing business development support for female retail hawkers and Kitsong Centre Operators.
• CyberSmart BotswanacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 20242024 beneficiary of Mascom Batanani Walk proceeds for cybersecurity awareness program benefiting school children. Partnership for public schools roadshow on cyber safety.
• MyZakaPay Merchant NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 May 2024MyZakaPay collaboration with wide range of merchants (retailers, food vendors, service providers) for digital payment acceptance across Botswana to establish MyZakaPay as widely accepted payment method.
• Huawei Technologies BotswanaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2022Partnership with Huawei (key supplier) to donate 55 Huawei tablets, a computer and printer to Dutlwe Primary School.
• Ministry of Health & Wellness BotswanaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 November 2021Partnership with Greater Francistown District Health Management Team (DHMT) for drive-through COVID-19 vaccination site at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium.
• Barclays Bank BotswanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBank partner for 109 Direct Top Up service enabling airtime recharge debited directly from bank accounts.
• First National Bank BotswanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBank partner for 109 Direct Top Up service enabling airtime recharge debited directly from bank accounts.
• Standard Chartered Bank BotswanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBank partner for 109 Direct Top Up service enabling airtime recharge debited directly from bank accounts.
• VISA InternationalcoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment network partner for 109 Direct Top Up enabling debit card payments via 16-digit VISA or VISA Electron card.
• Spectrum Insurance BrokerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance broker administering Mascom Device Insurance policy underwritten by Botswana Insurance Company. Covers accidental loss, theft, or damage of mobile devices.
• Botswana Insurance CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnderwriter for Mascom Device Insurance policy administered by Spectrum Insurance Brokers, providing coverage for mobile handsets and tablets.
• Bofinet (Botswana Fibre Networks)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship partnership for eSchools Project installing internet in all government schools (623 schools connected). Covers primary, junior and senior secondary schools across Botswana.
• Botswana GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Nteletsa II Rural Telecommunications Development Project to rollout 41 Kitsong Centres in 41 villages; expanded to 69 additional centres (total 110).
• Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulatory partner for Cybersmart Schools Roadshow targeting over 15 schools across the country for cybersecurity awareness.
• Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA)minorOthersBotswana's telecommunications regulatory authority. Mascom operates under regulatory oversight and engages with BOCRA for compliance and industry initiatives.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Orange Botswana: Direct competitor mobile network operator in Botswana offering 2G/3G/4G mobile voice, data, and Orange Money services — overlapping the same customer segments as Mascom in prepaid, postpaid, and mobile money.
• Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC): State-owned incumbent operator in Botswana providing fixed, mobile, and broadband services; competes directly with Mascom across consumer and enterprise connectivity in the same domestic market.

Broad incumbents

• Safaricom: East African MNO and benchmark for mobile-money-led telecom (M-Pesa); highly comparable business model where telecom subscription revenue is layered with deep fintech monetization, similar to Mascom's MyZaka strategy.
• MTN Group: Africa's largest mobile operator with consumer prepaid/postpaid, mobile money (MoMo), and enterprise services across multiple markets — comparable as a multi-country MNO with integrated fintech ambitions similar to Mascom's MyZaka.
• Airtel Money (Airtel Africa): African MNO with mobile money (Airtel Money) across multiple Sub-Saharan markets; comparable in combining voice/data subscription with USSD-based mobile money and merchant payments.
• Vodacom Group: Major Southern African MNO with M-Pesa-style mobile money, fibre, and enterprise services; closely comparable to Mascom in product mix (prepaid, postpaid, fibre, fintech) within a SADC-region context.
• Econet Wireless Zimbabwe: Founder-affiliated African MNO with mobile money (EcoCash) and broadband services; comparable in MNO-plus-mobile-money model and Sub-Saharan emerging-market operating context.
• Tigo (Millicom): Emerging-market mobile operator with Tigo Money mobile wallet across Africa and Latin America; comparable to Mascom's mix of prepaid mobile, USSD-based mobile money, and rural community connectivity.

Emerging players

• Smile Communications: African 4G/LTE-focused data operator active in Botswana and other African markets; overlaps with Mascom's MyPocket WiFi and MyHome Fibre broadband/data offerings in the same geography.

Regional players

• Halotel (Viettel): Mobile operator in East Africa with mobile money services; comparable model-wise (prepaid-led MNO with USSD mobile wallet) although operating in a different geography than Mascom.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mascomwireless
• Xx.com/mascomwireless
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mascom-wireless

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mascom Wireless