Technology entrepreneur and Tizeti CEO, Kendall Ananyi, has described 2025 as a landmark year for the company, marking its transition into its teenage years alongside major infrastructure expansion, strategic partnerships, and successful investment exits.
At the start of the year, Tizeti set out with ambitious goals, including expanding its partnership with USAID, accelerating fiber deployment through its subsidiary FreeFiber.Africa, and推动 consolidation within Nigeria’s internet service provider (ISP) sector. While the shutdown of USAID disrupted early plans, the company regained momentum midyear after securing regulatory approval for price increases. Improved cash flow enabled Tizeti to deploy thousands of kilometers of fiber across two countries.
As a result, Tizeti now operates what it describes as the fastest unlimited-speed fiber network in Nigeria.
During the year, the company partnered with Galaxy Backbone to launch unlimited WiFi hotspots at the University of Lagos and in Abuja, with plans to expand to additional locations. Tizeti also supported the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy on Project BRIDGE, an initiative aimed at extending fiber connectivity to every state in Nigeria.
Ananyi also highlighted the formal launch of FreeFiber.Africa, a long-envisioned project designed to deliver lasting digital infrastructure. The launch coincided with a personal milestone as his daughters returned to Nigeria and began early careers in technology, interning at Y Combinator–backed companies and participating in local innovation programs. One of his daughters launched SparkTechAfrica.com, a platform connecting female mentors in the United States with girls in Nigeria, while the other achieved national recognition in volleyball and competed in junior athletics.
Despite a challenging year for African tech investment, Ananyi recorded notable successes through diversification outside the continent. In November, a fund investment resulted in two exits: an artificial intelligence–related exit following Meta’s acquisition of voice startup PlayAI, and a biotechnology exit after AbbVie acquired Gilgamesh in a unicorn-scale deal.
Within Tizeti, artificial intelligence played an increasingly central role in 2025. The company integrated AI deeply into its operations, significantly improving customer service and reducing costs. Through its WiFiCall.ng platform, Tizeti applied AI-driven voice solutions that helped a startup cut annual communication expenses from approximately $200,000 to under $2,000. For Ananyi, the initiative marked his first hands-on technical project since stepping away from coding in 2019.
Reflecting on the year, Ananyi described the impact of AI as transformative, urging companies to rethink and overhaul their operations to fully leverage the technology.
He concluded his reflection on a personal note, expressing gratitude for the year’s achievements and challenges, and citing faith as a guiding force behind both personal and professional milestones.