Africa – Page 19
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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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Strategy & ChangeSafaricom: deadline for Ethiopia entry bid pushed back (again)
ECA grants Kenyan operator and other interested parties more time to consider ins and outs of Ethiopian expansion. Deadline revised for the second time in as many months. Laws blocking Safaricom from operating fintech service in country remain in place (for now).
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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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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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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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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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PremiumVodafone people moves: former execs take vendor CxO spots
Recent Vodafone alumni changes include a Syniverse CEO; Avanti CTO; and LogMeIn CISO. Cloud & Hosting guru Colin Barrett swaps to IoT in Ireland. Vodafone Albania commercial promotions. More Vi senior leadership changes: CFO out; regional CTO in.
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PremiumVodafone people moves: Group tech rejig spreads out
Donà and El Sayed share technology leadership at Vodafone UK. Vodafone Business builds out SoHo commercial team. Vodacom draws Paytm’s Kaul as financial services Super App emerges with its first “tenants”. YeboYethu rotates its board, with long-time Chair Bassa set to leave.
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Network & InfrastructureICASA digs heels in over spectrum auction rules
Regulator stands firm against legal action taken by MTN, Telkom. VdSA proves unlikely ally.
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Public AffairsRegulations hit Vodacom customer tally
Vodacom Tanzania indicates impact of regulator’s fraud reduction scheme. Another 1.1 million SIM cards due for disconnection imminently.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa
Vodafone launches Africa.Connected campaign to bridge the digital divide, while Joosub clears things up regarding Ghana in Q3 results.
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PremiumVodafone people moves: Italy’s commercial leadership confirmed
Veteran executive departures at the top of India’s Vi. Vodafone Hungary’s Enterprise Business Unit gets a new lead from Apple. Raimondi named Commercial Director in place of now-Chief Commercial Officer Duilio.
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PremiumVodafone people moves: new lead to drive Group transformation plans
New Transformation Director in as CFO mulls yet another step-up in efficiencies plans. New CEO Aksoy formally takes over at Vodafone Turkey. Vantage Towers inaugurates its Supervisory Board with Grube as Chair. CISO swap at India’s Vi.
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Strategy & ChangeVodacom’s Joosub dismisses Vodafone Ghana buyout talk
Acquisition of Ghanaian OpCo by Vodacom not under consideration, according to Chief Executive.
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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 & InfrastructureVodacom SA files 4G/5G auction application
Much-delayed auction of spectrum licences still mired in controversy and legal action.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodacom Tanzania fine-tuned for Mdundo music
Co-developed “proof of concept” lays groundwork for VdT digital media set expansion. Group enabling ambitious Kenya-based startup to broaden horizons in Africa.
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Suppliers & SCMAltiostar flagged as supplier for Vodafone partner AST SpaceMobile
Vodafone signals plan to integrate SpaceMobile service with Vodacom, Safaricom, and Vodafone offerings initially in DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
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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.