The race to build Africa’s 5G networks is entangled in a U.S. push to cut Huawei’s dominance

Steve Papa isn’t a well-known name outside niche telecomms circles. An Ivy League-educated tech entrepreneur, he has had an eclectic career, developing software, working in philanthropy, and was an early investor in US food delivery app, Toast. His current position, as the CEO of telecomms vendor Parallel Wireless, has thrust him into a more high-profile role, as he positions himself, and his company, in the geopolitical tussle between China and the U.S.

Over the past few years, New Hampshire–based Parallel Wireless has been deepening its reach into Africa and elsewhere, pitching itself to mobile operators as a low-cost route to deploy wireless broadband technology. It’s signed 18 contracts so far, including one announced in June with MTN Group, Africa’s biggest mobile network. 

The rollout of mobile broadband, particularly 5G, in global markets has become increasingly political, as the U.S. government tries to rein in the global leader, Shenzhen-based Huawei, a Chinese national champion. Over the past few years, particularly during the Trump administration, the U.S. has blacklisted major Chinese telecomms companies and lobbied its allied countries to do the same. The conflict has forced mobile operators to consider not just the financial costs but also the political implications of choosing a 5G equipment provider.

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