Kenya Telecoms News

Vodafone signals plan to integrate SpaceMobile service with Vodacom, Safaricom, and Vodafone offerings initially in DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania.

Network & Infrastructure

Safaricom 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.

Financial & Performance

Africa: resilient SA helps Vodacom through crisis

Vodacom continues to perform well despite regulatory and macro pressures across its regional footprint. However, unfavourable currency trends remain fly in the ointment when Group’s results are translated to Vodafone’s P&L. No sign yet that Vodafone management is going cool on its commitment to Africa, despite weaknesses and willingness ...

Strategy & Change

Elsewhere in Africa: Vodacom's Joosub targets techco transition

Vodacom CEO defends Rain tie‑up; Lesotho crisis continues; dominant Safaricom back in political spotlight; African OpCos keen on Huawei tech.

People

Vodafone people moves: Group SCM “succession planning” underway

Tolga Tomruk takes SCM Networks Director role, leading relationships with established equipment vendors and the ‘open’ challenger set. Safaricom follows up consumer‑centric shift with new CTIO. VodafoneZiggo taps rival KPN for mobile networks lead. Musical chairs on Vodacom Group’s Board of Directors.

Network & Infrastructure

High 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.

Strategy & Change

Safaricom still keen on Ethiopia entry

People

Vodafone people moves: Vi leadership restructured; new Safaricom CFO installed

Vodafone builds open RAN influence with O‑RAN Alliance oversight spot. Takkar handed another three years to lead Vodafone’s troubled Indian JV Vi. Safaricom Board rejigged following exec changes at Kenyan operator and parent Vodacom.

Strategy & Change

Elsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Vodacom in SA and Tanzanian trouble

Vodacom reportedly tangled in murder scandal in South Africa, and taking political fire over Tanzanian election.

People

Vodafone moves: M‑PESA readies for growth; Vi’s Vora departs

Vi CTO Vishant Vora steps down leaving a vacancy. Several changes in Germany across departments. M‑PESA gets a CTO to aid expansion. Former VGE CEO gets board position; Cheang named Huawei security lead.

Analysis

Elsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom shareholder base sees changes

Big boys making their presence felt in Safaricom’s owner family; Loon nearing Mozambique launch.

M&A

Airtel–Telkom merger falls through

Let-off for Safaricom as its two major mobile competitors remain marooned in sub-scale no-mans-land.

Network & Infrastructure

Vodafone Group open gateway trials move into commercial phase

Vodacom South Africa tests used Edgecore‑based DCSG product running Infinera software. Vodafone’s Rossi highlights move to create a “diverse supply chain”.

Strategy & Change

Elsewhere in Africa: Vodacom ties with Cloudflare and Appsflyer

AppsFlyer and Cloudflare gain foothold within Vodacom ecosystem.

Network & Infrastructure

Safaricom to put network disaggregation into the wild

Kenyan operator to expand Vodafone’s Africa test-ground for open solutions. Project gearing is more towards core and backhaul than RAN. Scale and efficiency gains highlighted.

Network & Infrastructure

Safaricom puts Aviat and Nokia to work on 5G prep

Kenyan operator taps old friend Aviat Networks for 5G backhaul as the country preps for commercial 5G rollout. Nokia’s Gigabit Passive Optical Networking will be deployed to combat increased bandwidth demands in the country.

Public Affairs

Vodafone: Elsewhere in Africa

Ghana High Court authorises operators to share subscriber data with government for coronavirus contact tracing, and Vodacom Tanzania extends M‑PESA’s reach with the launch of International Money Transfer.

People

Joseph back in as Safaricom Chairman

Vodafone’s long-time Africa and m-money hand moves upstairs at Safaricom. Power appears re-balanced between Vodacom and state, Safaricom’s two largest shareholders.

Products & Services

Vodacom tags Alipay to launch digital services “super app”

Partnering a world-leader may be indicative of ambitions for mobile payments, and maybe also e-commerce. Early stage African venture for Alipay, but strategic investor Alibaba has been spinning up regional strategy for several years. Where do M-PESA and Safaricom fit?

People

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Kenya Telecoms News

“More insightful and a better summary than what we see internally.” - Customer Experience Lead, BT

"Up to date info on Deutsche Telekom all in one place. No need to search somewhere else.” - Global Delivery Manager, T-Systems

"One place to find all of the relevant information you need.” - Strategic Client Director, Telefónica Business Solutions

"The information is excellent.” – Board Member, Vodafone Procurement Company

"Great, insightful updates that puts everything I need to know in one place." - Director, BT Group

"Great information that hasn't been shared internally.” - Director of Cyber Security Business, T-Mobile

"It´s a wonderful and complete one-stop shop to keep abreast of all the corporate information.” - Head of Communications, Telefónica Group

“Great collection of information on Vodafone. I could not keep up with it myself, nor would I get some of the information internally.” – Sales Lead, Vodafone

"BTwatch provides an extremely informative overview on the state of the business for BT." - Director, BT Security

"Consistently excellent 360 degree info on the Group. I often learn more than I hear internally!” - Cyber Security Specialist, T-Systems