Africa & Middle East Telecoms News
All the latest telecoms insight, news and analysis from across Africa and the Middle East, including BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone.
Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone Oman opens new HQ
Partner Markets’ greenfield operator expected to launch services “very soon”. Taps Ericsson for network and Netcracker for BSS.
Products & Services
Vodafone commences Group wide roll out of ‘Eco‑SIMs’
Group ups ante on waste reduction with launch of recycled SIM chips. ‘Eco‑SIMs’ to be rolled out in 15 territories. Available in UK from spring next year.
Partnerships & Alliances
Vodacom’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.
M&A
Vodacom 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.
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.
M&A
Vodafone’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.
People
Vodafone people moves: Ethiopia hierarchy laid out
Inaugural leadership team named at Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia, with remaining executives reported in local press. Vodafone Ghana opens search for new CTO after incumbent exits for MTN. Further changes at Partner Markets after meld within Vodafone Business.
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone Turkey CEO signals support for three‑way FibreCo
Turkey’s President is said to be in favour of a joint infrastructure company. Recently appointed Vodafone Turkey CEO appears keen too, as part of new 2025 growth strategy.
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Systems Solutions: oneclick expands partnership
oneclick expands partnership; Telekom Security offers training tools.
Financial & Performance
Vodafone Q1 FY21–22: ‘Phase two’ relaunched with M&A sweetener
Some hints of compromise with City overseers as Vodafone re-seeds post-pandemic, digital-led growth plan. New Chairman van Boxmeer appears to be lighting a fire under Group mindset and strategy. M&A talked up as a lever to help Vodafone in the push to revive growth. Another chunk of Vantage could ...
Financial & Performance
Vodafone Q1 FY21-22 Headlines: pandemic snags unwind, gradually
Group bounces out of pandemic slump, helped by lapping and increased business confidence. Cautious CEO warns of further “bumps in the road”. In Spain, another large-scale downsizing move made under cover of Digital Telco transformation, and as fodder for Group’s centralisation-led efficiency plans.