All Shameel Joosub articles
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Strategy & ChangeTowerCo agenda in “final stages” as Vodacom targets power resilience
Inter‑operator synergies and power supply assurance the top priorities for upcoming TowerCo.
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Financial & Performance
Super apps and fintech investment to drive Vodacom growth
FY21–22 results underline revenue diversification ambitions, with ‘new services’ set to contribute increasing proportion to bottom line.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodacom signs “exclusive” deal with Visa in South Africa
New contract builds on similar deal between Safaricom and Visa for M‑PESA. Visa payments option likely to be available as a virtual card integrated into the recently launched VodaPay Super App.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Africa: corruption in Lesotho?
Allegations of corruption in Lesotho said to be hampering 5G deployment; Vodacom appeals Please Call Me High Court ruling.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodacom is big spender in SA spectrum auction
Long-awaited auction finally complete, but legal challenge looms. Vodacom is highest bidder, just ahead of MTN, and snags most spectrum. Government halts plan for controversial Wholesale Open Access Network.
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Network & Infrastructure
Joosub says ‘all systems go’ for spectrum auction
Telkom secures court hearing dates in April 2022, after the auction is due to take place. President Cyril Ramaphosa says auction will start by early‑March 2022. Six operators apply to take part, including MTN, Telkom, and Vodacom.
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Network & Infrastructure
Auction fate unknown as Telkom mulls interdict U‑turn
Spectrum auction may still go ahead, despite initial Telkom protests. Vodacom and MTN unite with South African regulator to fight deferral. Telkom offers to withdraw its interdict, provided rivals are open to an “expedited review” of its complaints. Any delay would represent a sixth postponement of the auction, currently ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Joosub highlights opportunity for 5G FWA across Africa
Vodacom is readying networks for 5G across its footprint. 4G and 5G FWA likely to play a greater role than fibre in supporting broadband connectivity.
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Products & Services
Safaricom to implement advertising on M-PESA platform
Operator hopes to open additional revenue streams for its biggest earner. Parent Vodacom will apply lessons from similar offering with Alipay in South Africa.
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M&A
Vodacom expands into Egypt with Vodafone stake switch
Vodafone to increase its stake in Vodacom to more than 65% following the transaction. Internal deal follows STC’s failed mission to buy Vodafone Egypt during 2020.
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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.
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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.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodacom starts TowerCo separation sequence
Operator looking to install managing executive, and then fuller leadership team, to drive tower separation plans outlined in May. Plan to explore stake sale reiterated. Initial focus on biggest market South Africa.
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Network & Infrastructure
Joosub 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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People
Vodafone’s Ethiopian OpCo gets a leader
Anwar Soussa takes job as first MD of as‑yet‑unnamed OpCo. Industry veteran brings M‑PESA experience. EOC plans and ownership remain vague.
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Products & Services
Safaricom, 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 & Change
Vodacom 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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Strategy & Change
Van Boxmeer gifted remit to disrupt Vodafone Board
Latest Board Evaluation calls for increased “ liveliness ” of conversations across the Group’s top table. Composition changes mooted for dozen-strong grouping brought together by former Chairman Gerard Kleisterlee. Start of TechCo strategy seen as moment to strengthen accountability of top duo Read and Della Valle. ...
