All Africa articles – Page 11
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PremiumJoosub highlights opportunity for 5G FWA across Africa
Vodacom is readying networks for 5G across its footprint. 4G and 5G FWA likely to play a greater role than fibre in supporting broadband connectivity.
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Products & ServicesSafaricom to implement advertising on M-PESA platform
Operator hopes to open additional revenue streams for its biggest earner. Parent Vodacom will apply lessons from similar offering with Alipay in South Africa.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodacom in talks over rural wireless alliance
Operator scoping out partners to share investment in thousands of extra sites across its sub-Saharan African footprint. Venture adds to wider technology and business model experimentation by Vodacom, to fund network expansion.
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M&AVodacom expands into Egypt with Vodafone stake switch
Vodafone to increase its stake in Vodacom to more than 65% following the transaction. Internal deal follows STC’s failed mission to buy Vodafone Egypt during 2020.
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Financial & PerformanceSafaricom confident on Ethiopia despite ‘staff evacuation’
Staff safety and security a priority in Ethiopia, says Safaricom’s Peter Ndegwa, but progress remains on track despite distractions. Break-even forecasts braced for impact of conflict. Employees evacuated from Addis Ababa, according to reports.
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Suppliers & SCMSafaricom in talks with Kenya Power to install smart grid
Build, operate, and transfer deal reportedly under discussion.
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PremiumSafaricom to debut 5G in 2022
Kenyan operator extending 5G trials to “additional towns”; commercial launch slated for 2022. Operator looking to further boost mobile data revenue. Rival Airtel on 5G scene too.
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Public AffairsUK government defends Ethiopian mobile investment
Vodafone and CDC investment in Ethiopian mobile operator crops up in parliamentary debate on Tigray humanitarian crisis. Investment deemed to be “right” and long term. CDC emphasises role as impact investor with a lot of patience. Vodacom agrees to fund Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Google extends finance initiative support
Google arrows on Africa; XLink ties with AWS; Trend Micro extends range to Africa.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodacom’s Super App cushioned if “politics” plays up
Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub says operator’s VodaPay Super App smarts are protected if political changes affect Alipay. Alipay technology underpins Vodacom’s financial services growth plans. Super App set for commercial launch in South Africa this month.
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M&AVodacom aims for 100m fintech users on road to sale
CEO Shameel Joosub sets sights on nine-figure base to win better bargaining position with potential buyers and partners. Vodacom taking control of fintech offerings in Ghana and Egypt, to fuel expansion.
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M&AVodafone’s nudge technique gets STC ‘back to table’
Regional media reports indicate that Saudi Telecom Company is seeking to revive a buyout of the Group’s Egyptian business, after failure of 2020 deal. Move follows Vodafone’s exploration of an internal switch of Egyptian OpCo.
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M&AT-Systems offloads South African remnant
Deutsche Telekom’s enterprise unit wraps up SA exit after selling training and development provider. Continuation of T-Systems slimming drive
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Partner Markets: MTS acquires Factorin
Developments from around Vodafone’s softpower network. MTS acquires control of Factorin. SoftBank continues satellite broadband endeavours. Musical chairs at Tele2.
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PeopleSafaricom taps Guinness exec as Ethiopian CFO
Top finance and people hires confirmed as Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia plots build out. Startup operator aiming for 1,000-strong headcount to support 2022 launch.
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Strategy & ChangeVodacom-owned XLink lays groundwork for new MD
Fleet-footed 2016 acquisition on the lookout for new leader. MD incumbent yet to reveal next step. Recent re-positioning sees provider embrace cloud and up focus on finance and retail markets.
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Network & InfrastructureVodacom starts TowerCo separation sequence
Operator looking to install managing executive, and then fuller leadership team, to drive tower separation plans outlined in May. Plan to explore stake sale reiterated. Initial focus on biggest market South Africa.
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Venturing & InvestmentsAfrican energy startup borrows $100m for scale-out plan
Safaricom partner Circle Gas secures nine-figure loan to drive expansion in African (and potentially Asian) markets. Targets include Nigeria and neighbouring markets of Kenya and Tanzania, where startup is already present. Capital needed for investment-heavy distribution platform.
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PeopleVodacom Tanzania names Mdlalose CEO
Former Vodacom SA CFO takes the reins from Madrid-bound Hendi. Well-travelled Mdlalose looks to settle into Tanzanian challenge.
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Network & InfrastructureVodacom talks up Dialog network upgrade
OpCo “enjoying the benefits” from ST Engineering’s Newtec Dialog VSAT migration. Installation completed under lockdown, with remote support key.