Space42 Launches Ad-Funded Wi-Fi in South Africa
The YahClick hotspot solution gives users 20 minutes of free internet after they watch a 30-second video.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Would you support free Wi-Fi in exchange for watching short ads?
Space42 has introduced an advertising-funded Wi-Fi hotspot solution powered by YahClick in South Africa. Users receive 20 minutes of free internet access after watching a 30-second video, and can repeat the process to stay connected.
Why it matters
The model gives businesses a commercial incentive to offer free public Wi-Fi, contributing to efforts to bridge the digital divide. For South African readers, it offers a way to get connected without paying for data, while advertisers gain direct access to engaged audiences.
The service runs on antennas and routers that connect to the YahClick network, with partners using reporting tools to monitor performance. Figures on the number of active hotspots, users and revenue per partner have not been disclosed.
The players
Space42
Space42 is a UAE-based company active in satellite communications, broadband connectivity and geospatial intelligence across Africa.
YahClick
YahClick is the advertising-funded Wi-Fi network platform that powers the hotspot solution introduced by Space42 in South Africa.
The details
Partners with compatible equipment can add advertising and analytics capabilities without replacing their existing infrastructure. The solution builds on Space42's existing activities across Africa, which span satellite communications, broadband connectivity and geospatial intelligence.
Timeline
Space42 introduced the solution in South Africa on 12 November 2026.
Projected African internet advertising revenue is expected to reach US$3.1 billion by 2030.
The Tech Race
The launch places Space42 in the growing contest to monetise African connectivity, where internet advertising revenue across the continent is projected to reach US$3.1 billion by 2030. Ad-funded access models shift the cost of connectivity from users to advertisers and network partners.
South African users can get 20 minutes of free internet by watching a 30-second video, and can repeat the process to stay online. The service does not require a paid data plan, though access depends on partner locations that offer the YahClick network.
The takeaway
Free public Wi-Fi may increasingly come with ads attached, so users who rely on hotspots should expect to watch short videos for access. Businesses considering a similar setup can use the solution's reporting tools to judge whether it suits their customers.
Further reading
For more on how connectivity is expanding across the country, see Telecommunications coverage for South Africa.
Live Poll
Would you support free Wi-Fi in exchange for watching short ads?
