Africa & Middle East – Page 29
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Strategy & ChangeVodacom to unify network and IT functions
Push for efficiencies encompassing rework of network and IT platforms, alongside major skills and capability upgrade. Following 2020 reorg, CEO Joosub concentrating heavily on extracting value and savings out of Group assets and operations. Programme likely to see cloud-based overhaul of Vodacom IT stacks and network functions.
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People
Fresh faces bedded in at Joosub’s Vodacom ExecCo
Vodacom Executive Committee confirmed with five newcomers. Vodacom South Africa joins Safaricom with a seat at the table, while other African OpCos grouped under International Business.
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Strategy & Change
Ethiopia: Kenyan president gets behind Safaricom entry
President Kenyatta urges Ethiopia to open up m-money market. Safaricom reveals planned ownership structure of future Opco, with Vodafone set to play a very limited role.
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PeopleRalebitso fills Vodacom Lesotho’s MD vacancy
OpCo appoints “transformational leader” as it pushes into the realm of becoming digital services specialist.
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Vendor VoiceCelfocus: Agile mindset and precision key to digitalisation
In an interview with Telefónicawatch, Paulo Trigo, CEO of European telco SI Celfocus, outlines a belief that operators must think more nimbly as they engage in strategic transformation programmes. IT implementation needs greater influence to enable digital transformation. Agile is more than a buzzword and must to be part ...
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Global: Egypt license renewed
Egyptian licences get a refresh; Global turns to IR to help tie together virtual rooms.
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Products & ServicesSafaricom unveils in-house VOD platform
Kenyan operator launches Baze to support local creative industry. “One-shop entertainment platform” seen as successor to recently dissolved Songa by Safaricom.
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PremiumRejigged tie-up could find Vodafone Egypt a home
Vodafone secures route to in-Group transfer of Egypt stake in quid pro quo deal with local partner. Kenya-esque Vodacom hand-off of Egyptian interest one possibility.
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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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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Associates and JVs: Vi and Vantage on 5G
Vi and Vantage Towers Greece get involved in 5G trials.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Partner Markets: Altice rolls into BT
MTS surfs tower spin-out wave; SoftBank boosted by digital shift and gets strategic with LEO satellite venture OneWeb.
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M&AVodafone Turkey buys into enterprise IT specialist FGS
OpCo takes 50% share of business services provider and frames deal as reflecting Vodafone’s march into “TechCo” territory. FGS products to be launched in Vodafone markets outside Turkey.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT seeks South African alternatives after partner breakup
Group abruptly severs ties with longstanding partner Sekunjalo, but is under pressure to remain compliant with the country’s black economic empowerment agenda.
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OperationsVodafone banks on the Nile for flow of efficiencies
Group Annual Report sheds light on shared services transformation under the _VOIS division. Egypt emerges as the Group’s largest territory by headcount. CFO Della Valle points to _VOIS “role efficiencies” as it de-siloes, standardises, and harmonises operations.
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Venturing & InvestmentsTelefónica Venturing Roundup: Wayra reaches double figures
Wayra reaches double figures; Israeli startups sought for Rosetta use-cases; and Andalusian accelerator welcomes its latest cohort.
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PremiumQ4 FY20–21: Vodacom turns to M&A to turbo-charge change
Fibre expansion back on as Vodacom steps up diversification plans. Operator negotiating potential strategic partnerships across infrastructure assets, as it develops own take on Vodafone’s leaner and lighter TechCo vision. South African group-within-a-group being offered greater freedom by Vodafone than increasingly tightly-controlled businesses in Europe. One question, as it ...
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PremiumVodafone Q4 FY20–21 headlines: footing regained and Group ready for climb
Top execs keen to portray Vodafone as ready for bounce-back. Top-line recovery remains Africa- and Germany-centric. Signs domination of efficiency drives may have run course and revenue base needs a boost.
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PremiumVodafone Q4 FY20–21 spend: a rare loosening of the purse strings
Leadership keen to assure that RoI will dictate where capex flow is directed. Lack of opex focus suggests digital efficiencies programmes could be in for a reboot.
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Network & InfrastructureEthiopia tender win: gov talks up Vodafone’s ‘quality’
Safaricom-led consortium emerges as sole new entrant in damp squib of an auction. Group’s rare move into new market muddied by competitors’ apparent wariness regarding risks in Ethiopia. Only two bidders emerge for new licences. Fears of incumbent’s political heft added to suitors’ macro uncertainties. Plan for an Ethio ...
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PremiumSafaricom upgrades order management software
Longstanding partner Celfocus said it has implemented a ‘master orchestrator’ to improve order processing.