by MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – AFRICAN businesses can now access faster, more affordable, and locally supported optical networking technology following the launch of the continent’s first locally backed Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) solution.
The innovation is the result of a strategic partnership between NEC XON, a leading African systems integrator, and Smartoptics, a global provider of optical networking solutions.
For years, African companies have faced a difficult choice: either pay high prices for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) modules or rely on generic imports with lengthy lead times and no local support.
The new partnership aims to close this gap, ensuring enterprises, internet service providers, and data centres have reliable access to cutting-edge connectivity.
“African businesses can now connect with speed and convenience,” said Ryno Weideman, Networking Operations Manager at NEC XON.
“Demand for high-speed, cost-effective optical solutions is surging, and this partnership is designed to meet that demand with global innovation tailored for Africa.”
The new SFP offering provides immediate local availability, competitive local-currency pricing, a lifetime warranty, and 99 percent OEM compatibility—features that are expected to transform how African enterprises scale their digital infrastructure.
Smartoptics, known for its advanced optical networking solutions, said combining its technology with NEC XON’s local expertise would ensure high performance and simplified operations.
“Our technology, together with NEC XON’s presence in Africa, delivers the right solution at the right time,” said Björn Andersson, Senior Vice President for Optical Devices at Smartoptics.
“This partnership will enhance network performance while reducing operational complexity.”
Industry observers see the collaboration as a milestone for Africa’s digital economy, enabling faster adoption of next-generation services while strengthening local technical support ecosystems.
– CAJ News