FTTX Council Africa (now Digital Council Africa) is an independent, not-for-profit organization fostering dialogue to maximize the societal benefits of digital access and promote equality and inclusivity across Africa.
The FTTx Council Africa — now rebranded as the Digital Council Africa — is a not-for-profit industry body representing the fibre-optic and digital infrastructure ecosystem across the African continent. Co-founded in 2010 by Juanita Clark and Richard Came, and led by president Andile Ngcaba (founder of Convergence Partners), the organisation serves as the primary advocacy, education, and networking platform for fibre network operators, equipment suppliers, installers, and service providers in Africa. While not a vendor or distributor in the traditional sense, the Digital Council Africa is a critical industry body for SA telecoms resellers operating in the fibre broadband space — providing access to industry conferences, standards guidance, code of conduct frameworks, skills development through the Fibre Optic Association Africa, and a collective voice for policy advocacy with government and regulators.
The Digital Council Africa, originally established in 2010 as the FTTH (Fibre to the Home) Council Africa, is a not-for-profit industry association that represents and advocates for the fibre-optic and digital infrastructure ecosystem across the African continent. The organisation was co-founded by Juanita Clark, a telecoms industry veteran with nearly 20 years of experience across multiple technology layers, and Richard Came, a prominent South African technology investor and industry figure.
The council was formed in recognition of the rapid growth expected in Africa’s fibre broadband industry and the need for coordination to ensure quality service delivery, skills development, and policy advocacy. Over its 15-year history, the organisation has evolved from a narrow focus on fibre-to-the-home deployments to encompassing the broader digital infrastructure landscape — prompting the strategic rebrand from FTTx Council Africa to Digital Council Africa. This name change reflects the council’s expanded mandate to champion all forms of digital infrastructure, including fibre, 5G, data centres, and smart city technologies.
For South African telecoms resellers operating in the fibre broadband value chain — whether as fibre network operators (FNOs), internet service providers (ISPs), installation contractors, or equipment suppliers — the Digital Council Africa provides several important benefits. Membership connects resellers with the broader fibre ecosystem, including potential customers, partners, and suppliers. The council’s annual CONEXT conference is one of Africa’s premier fibre industry events, bringing together operators, equipment vendors, regulators, and government officials.
The council’s code of conduct is particularly valuable for resellers. Member companies commit to delivering work of a high standard, providing consumers and property developers with confidence when selecting fibre installation and service partners. This quality assurance framework helps reputable resellers differentiate themselves from fly-by-night operators in a market that has seen rapid, sometimes unregulated, growth.
The Digital Council Africa plays a crucial role in representing the fibre industry’s interests to South African government, policymakers, and regulators. The council’s charter commits it to educating African governments and political leaders on how high-speed fibre connectivity can be delivered to citizens. This advocacy work directly benefits resellers by shaping a regulatory environment that supports continued fibre deployment, fair access to wayleaves, and infrastructure sharing frameworks.
The annual CONEXT conference (formerly the FTTH Council Africa Conference) is the council’s flagship event, attracting fibre industry professionals from across Africa and internationally. The conference features keynote addresses from government ministers and industry leaders, technical workshops, equipment exhibitions, and networking opportunities. The FibreCONEXT concept was introduced in 2020 as a virtual format, and has continued to evolve as one of Africa’s most important fibre and digital infrastructure gatherings.
Juanita Clark co-founded the Fibre Optic Association (FOA) Africa alongside the Digital Council, creating a professional society for fibre optic professionals with a core focus on skills development. The FOA Africa provides internationally recognised fibre optic certifications, training programmes, and professional development for installers, technicians, and engineers. For resellers in the fibre installation space, FOA certification is increasingly becoming a market differentiator and a requirement for tender eligibility.
The Digital Council maintains industry standards and a code of conduct that member companies commit to upholding. These standards cover fibre installation quality, consumer service levels, and professional conduct. For property developers and consumers, the council’s member directory provides a vetted list of companies committed to delivering high-quality fibre infrastructure and services.
The Digital Council Africa is a member of the Fibre Council Global Alliance (FCGA), connecting the African fibre industry with counterpart organisations in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East. This global network provides access to international best practices, technology trends, and cross-border collaboration opportunities for South African fibre industry participants.
The Digital Council Africa has been operating since 2010, initially as the FTTH Council Africa. Over 15 years, the organisation has grown from a small advocacy group into the preeminent voice of Africa’s fibre and digital infrastructure industry. Key milestones include the appointment of Andile Ngcaba as president (bringing the credibility and network of the Convergence Partners founder), the establishment of the FOA Africa for skills development, the launch of the annual CONEXT conference, membership of the Fibre Council Global Alliance, and the strategic rebrand to Digital Council Africa to reflect the broadening scope of digital infrastructure beyond fibre alone.
The Digital Council Africa occupies a unique position in the South African telecoms landscape as the only dedicated industry body representing the fibre and digital infrastructure ecosystem. While organisations like ISPA represent internet service providers and WAPA represents wireless access providers, the Digital Council specifically focuses on the physical fibre infrastructure layer — the foundation upon which broadband services are built. This focused mandate enables deep expertise in fibre deployment policy, installation standards, and infrastructure investment advocacy.
The council’s leadership is another distinguishing factor. President Andile Ngcaba, through Convergence Partners, has been instrumental in driving digital infrastructure investment across Africa, while CEO Juanita Clark brings hands-on telecoms industry experience and a passion for skills development. This combination of investment-level strategic thinking and operational industry knowledge gives the council credibility with both government policymakers and industry practitioners.
South Africa is the Digital Council’s home market and the largest fibre broadband market on the African continent. The council is headquartered in Midrand, Gauteng, and its membership includes major South African fibre network operators, equipment manufacturers, installation companies, ISPs, and supporting service providers. The organisation has played a significant role in South Africa’s fibre rollout story, advocating for new-build premises to come standard equipped as fibre-ready and working with government on policies that facilitate rapid fibre deployment.
The South African fibre market has grown dramatically since the council’s founding in 2010. Multiple FNOs now operate in the market — including Vumatel, Openserve, Metrofibre, and others — with millions of homes and businesses now passed by fibre infrastructure. The Digital Council’s advocacy work, standards development, and skills programmes have contributed to this growth by creating a more favourable regulatory environment and ensuring a pipeline of qualified fibre installation technicians.
The Digital Council Africa’s membership is open to companies operating across the fibre and digital infrastructure value chain. This includes fibre network operators, internet service providers, fibre installation and splicing contractors, equipment manufacturers and distributors, property developers, and professional services firms serving the fibre industry. Membership provides access to the CONEXT conference, industry networking events, the code of conduct framework, advocacy representation, and the member directory.
For telecoms resellers, membership is particularly valuable if the business operates in fibre-related services — whether installing fibre infrastructure, selling fibre broadband, supplying fibre equipment, or providing professional services to the fibre industry. The council’s events and networking opportunities can generate business leads, partnership discussions, and visibility within the broader fibre ecosystem.
The Digital Council Africa can be reached through its website at digitalcouncil.africa (or the legacy domain fttxcouncil.com). Membership enquiries, event registrations, and general information are available through the website. The council is active on LinkedIn and regularly publishes industry news, event announcements, and policy updates. The annual CONEXT conference is the primary engagement opportunity, offering exhibition stands, speaking opportunities, and networking sessions for member companies.
For resellers interested in fibre optic technician training and certification, the Fibre Optic Association Africa (co-founded by Juanita Clark) provides internationally recognised certification programmes that can be accessed through the council or directly through the FOA Africa.
The Digital Council Africa is the rebranded name of the FTTx Council Africa. The name change reflects the organisation’s evolution from a narrow focus on fibre-to-the-home and fibre-to-the-x deployments to a broader mandate encompassing all forms of digital infrastructure including fibre, 5G, data centres, and smart city technologies. The organisation was originally founded in 2010 as the FTTH Council Africa and maintains the same leadership under CEO Juanita Clark and President Andile Ngcaba.
Membership provides access to the annual CONEXT conference (Africa’s premier fibre industry event), networking with fibre network operators, ISPs, and equipment vendors, the council’s code of conduct framework that signals quality and professionalism, advocacy representation with government and regulators, and the member directory that provides visibility to potential customers and partners. Membership is particularly valuable for resellers operating in fibre installation, broadband services, or fibre equipment supply.
The Fibre Optic Association (FOA) Africa, co-founded by Digital Council Africa CEO Juanita Clark, provides internationally recognised fibre optic certifications, training programmes, and professional development for installers, technicians, and engineers. FOA certification is increasingly becoming a market differentiator and tender requirement in South Africa’s competitive fibre installation market. Training covers fibre splicing, testing, design, and installation standards.
The Digital Council Africa is led by CEO Juanita Clark, who co-founded the organisation in 2010 with Richard Came. The president is Andile Ngcaba, founder and majority shareholder of Convergence Partners, a major African ICT infrastructure investment firm. Clark brings nearly 20 years of telecoms industry experience, while Ngcaba provides strategic investment perspective and high-level advocacy capability with government and industry stakeholders.
The Digital Council Africa hosts the annual CONEXT conference, which is Africa’s premier fibre and digital infrastructure industry event. The conference features keynote addresses from government ministers and industry leaders, technical workshops, equipment exhibitions, and networking opportunities. The event was rebranded from FibreCONEXT in 2020 and typically takes place in the second half of the year. Visit digitalcouncil.africa for upcoming event dates and registration information.