All Kenya articles – Page 5
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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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Enterprise (B2B)Safaricom upping B2B ante with new marketplace
Kenyan operator looking to connect better with small business requirements. Move furthers Safaricom’s “fintech-anchored” digital growth strategy.
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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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Public AffairsSafaricom split proposal all but quashed
Overwhelming majority of MPs choose not to engage in debate over Kenyan operator’s future structure. Controversial proposal does little to revive ghosts of the past.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom’s tax hike response
Safaricom responds to excise tax hike; M-PESA management rejig reaches Lesotho; change at top of Xlink.
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PeopleVodafone’s Ethiopian OpCo gets a leader
Anwar Soussa takes job as first MD of as-yet-unnamed OpCo. Industry veteran brings M-PESA experience. EOC plans and ownership remain vague.
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Products & ServicesSafaricom, Vodacom launch m-money Super Apps
Safaricom’s m-payment and remittance service leaps into the digital services realm with an experience-focused facelift. “Super App”- tag attached to revamped M-PESA, with new functionality showing resemblances with Vodacom–Alipay’s ‘app-within-an-app’ concept. Vodacom’s Super App now onboarding partners.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Vodacom debuts new products
Safaricom rival Ethio making hay in m-money; Vodacom debuts new products in youth market and SMME lending; Aziz back on radar in Tanzania.
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PremiumElsewhere in Africa: Vodacom pairs with Microsoft
Vodacom pairs with Microsoft for Mozambique SMEs; Safaricom adds digital menus to M-PESA ecosystem.
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PremiumSafaricom upgrades order management software
Longstanding partner Celfocus said it has implemented a ‘master orchestrator’ to improve order processing.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom’s data centre refresh
Safaricom plans data centre refresh; Millicom backs out of Tanzania.
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Products & ServicesVodacom eyeing M-PESA’s biggest money transfer yet?
M-commerce froth suggests possible eight-figure valuation for M-PESA. High-profile friends could add further appeal. Joosub showing signs of monetisation interest, possible temptation.
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Products & ServicesJoosub hints at pan-African ambitions for Vodacom’s Super App
Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub says Alipay-backed “Super App” could “transform the continent”. Super App’s enterprise offering will build on current VodaTrade and VodaPay functionality, with Vodacom targeting SMEs in its expanding financial services goals.
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Suppliers & SCMEricsson joins team on Safaricom’s backhaul refresh
Deal sees Safaricom expanding focus on E-band microwave for bandwidth boost. Ericsson joins Aviat Networks in declaring participation in Safaricom’s 5G-era network programme.
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Network & InfrastructureSafaricom partners Huawei, Nokia for 5G trials
Kenyan operator becomes the first East African telco to launch commercial 5G services in a limited rollout. Huawei and Nokia named technology partners, with local communications authority giving full backing to the China vendor’s security credentials.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom seeks partners
Safaricom looks to expand app ecosystem; Vodacom wins Cell C traffic but loses state mobile exclusivity.
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Strategy & ChangeVodafone said to be considering Ghanaian switcheroo
Possible offload to Vodacom said to be under consideration. Deal would chime with Group leadership’s bid to consolidate Africa and Europe power bases while improving financial position. Political complications likely to be a factor.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: banking products extended
Vodafone Ghana and Safaricom look to expand financial services offering with new products.
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Network & InfrastructureSafaricom puts 5G on ice
Kenyan operator plans to focus on building its 4G business for now. Safaricom’s previous reliance on Huawei comes under spotlight amid ongoing US trade talks.
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Network & InfrastructureHigh hopes: Vodafone plans African SpaceMobile debut
Territories such as Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo seen as low-hanging fruit for edgy new satellite venture. Vodafone working behind scenes to build beyond investment in SpaceMobile, and exploit platform for network gain.