Vodacom Group CEO Affirms Ongoing Investment Plans for Lesotho
Vodacom Unveils Vision 2030 Strategy for Africa's Digital Transformation
Vodacom, a leading telecommunications company, has announced its strategic direction for the next decade, focusing on significant investment in local communities, environmental sustainability, customer satisfaction, connectivity expansion, and advancing mobile money services for underserved populations across Africa.
The company's CEO, Shameel Joosub, shared the details of the new strategy during a visit to Lesotho this week.
Community Investment and Empowerment
Vodacom's strategy emphasises empowering individuals through digital inclusion initiatives, particularly in emerging markets like Lesotho and Tanzania. This involves support for infrastructure, education, healthcare projects, and enabling affordable smartphone access via device financing programmes to foster digital entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Environmental Sustainability
Protecting the environment is a core pillar of Vodacom’s Vision 2030 strategy. The company aims to build a resilient and responsible business aligned with sustainable development goals.
Customer Satisfaction
To build trust and loyalty, Vodacom aims to deliver reliable and high-quality connectivity services. Collaborations like the infrastructure sharing agreement with Airtel Africa enhance network availability and service quality even in remote areas, improving customer experience.
Connectivity Expansion
Vodacom is aggressively expanding 4G and 5G networks, particularly in underserved rural and remote areas. The acquisition of a 30% stake in Maziv fiber network supports broadband infrastructure growth in South Africa. Infrastructure sharing with Airtel across Mozambique, Tanzania, and DRC accelerates rollout, lowers costs, and boosts coverage.
Mobile Money and Financial Services
Expanding mobile money is a strategic priority to increase financial inclusion. By enhancing connectivity and digital platforms, Vodacom supports broader access to mobile banking and digital financial services, which are particularly critical for underserved populations in emerging markets.
Growth Targets
Vodacom aims to connect 260 million customers by 2030, leveraging partnerships, technological innovation, and infrastructure investments to narrow the digital divide across the continent.
A Focus on Lesotho
During his visit to Lesotho, Shameel Joosub met with Prime Minister Sam Matekane and his delegation, discussing plans to facilitate online payments for state services. He also addressed Vodacom Lesotho employees, reiterating the company's commitment to the nation's development.
Vodacom has pledged continued investment in Lesotho's digital transformation, aiming to empower communities, protect the environment, and deliver superior customer service.
In addition, Shameel Joosub announced Vodacom's partnership with Amazon Web Services for providing free digital and tech skills training to young people. This partnership is part of Vodacom's efforts to tackle youth unemployment beyond the provision of mobile money services.
With this new strategic direction, Vodacom is poised to drive inclusive digital transformation in Africa, integrating community empowerment, environmental care, superior customer service, broad network expansion, and financial inclusion.
[1] Vodacom Group, "Vodacom Group announces Vision 2030 strategy," 2022. [2] ITWeb, "Vodacom unveils Vision 2030 strategy," 2022. [3] MyBroadband, "Vodacom acquires 30% stake in Maziv fiber network," 2022. [4] ITWeb, "Vodacom, Airtel Africa ink infrastructure sharing deal," 2021. [5] ITWeb, "Vodacom eyes 260 million customers by 2030," 2022.
- Vodacom's strategy in technology includes fostering digital entrepreneurship and economic growth in Africa by providing affordable smartphone access through device financing programs and expanding mobile money services, which are crucial for underserved populations.
- As part of Vodacom's commitment to education and self-development, the company has partnered with Amazon Web Services to offer free digital and tech skills training to young people across Africa, aiming to tackle youth unemployment beyond mobile finance services.
