Africa – Page 19
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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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PremiumVodafone people moves: Technology splits and board changes
Group board changes include Ahuja’s departure. Vodafone networks exec and TIP Chair Tenorio picks up Lime Micro chairmanship. Vodafone Spain continues leadership overhaul in Consumer, Enterprise, and Technology divisions.
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Network & InfraVodacom 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.
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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 & ChangeSpaceMobile targets satellite status quo
AST SpaceMobile’s satellite tech represents break from past, says CEO. US space venture posts first results update since going public, as high-profile, iconoclastic startup edges closer to commercial get-go. Vodafone lends helping hand in satellite-to-cell compatibility tests. FCC opens gateway to domestic market.
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelecom Egypt to hold Vodafone to “strict” dividend deal
Executives of Vodafone’s Egyptian partner suggest new deal gives watertight dividend flow from their joint mobile business. Agreement creates path for Vodafone to do an internal switch of its Egyptian OpCo, following failed Saudi Telecom deal.
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Strategy & ChangeSafaricom looks closer to Ethiopian fintech expansion
Newly established Ethiopian OpCo reportedly given green-light to offer fintech service by market regulator. But incumbent rival already gifted year-long head start in m-money services realm.
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Products & ServicesIoT.nxt takes sports performance platform on tour
Rugby team the first to leverage IoT.nxt’s PLAYER.Connect real-time sports performance platform. Vodacom-owned IoT specialist targets fresh industry segment, drawing on breadth of Vodafone partnerships.
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PremiumVodacom optics take off with Nokia tech
South African optical network trials hailed as a success, with Nokia hardware enabling long-distance, high-capacity data transmission. Testing seen as a proof of concept for wider rollout and 5G services expansion.
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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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PremiumVodafone people moves: Pasquali steps into Italy’s Consumer leadership
With Duilio leaving for Sky Italia, Pasquali is lined up to become Director of Vodafone Italy’s Consumer Business Unit. In Albania’s Consumer division, Kir takes the helm. Safaricom makes two changes to its senior leadership team: Kamunyu and Senanu to lead Channels and Enterprise respectively.
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Network & InfraJoosub fears Telkom will put spanner in SA spectrum works
Vodacom CEO hopeful that operator dialogue with ICASA can solve impasse on 4G/5G spectrum. However, Joosub thinks Telkom has a propensity to “delay or play games”.
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Strategy & ChangeNew Ethiopian OpCo sticks with Safaricom marque
New business formally named. ECA grants operator full operating licence, effective from 9 July. Ethiopia seen as early target for Vodafone’s satellite venture with AST.
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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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Public AffairsDRC: Vodacom denounces ‘arbitrary’ engineer arrest
Vodacom DRC formally protests arrest of engineer on allegations of fraud. Controversial mobile device registry at the centre of the row, which has in recent months seen marches on the streets of Kinshasa.
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PremiumVodafone people moves: Czechs ring the changes
Brazdilova takes Commercial top-spot at Vodafone Czech Republic, with Rutherford out and Hoerová back. Transformation Director Girault heads for the door amid broader Group Technology reshuffles. Turkey’s Aksoy names his team with Enterprise and Marketing appointments.
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Suppliers & SCMEricsson targets African gains on back of Vodafone reorg
Swedish vendor has been punching below weight within Vodafone’s African operations. Tech 2025 organisational changes and geopolitical flux could create openings to grow regional account.
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Network & InfraVodacom to roll out smart-site kit beyond SA
Mozambique operation set for first dibs, with other international markets to benefit during the next phase of the rollout in FY21–22. Half of Group’s SA base stations now fitted with IoT.nxt tech, with efficiency and energy saving benefits trumpeted.
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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.