Industry News

Vodafone Group Plc will hand over management of its Ghana unit to the United Kingdom carrier’s separately listed South African division in April, the latest step to bring the company’s operations on the continent under one roof.

Johannesburg-based Vodacom Group Limited will take responsibility for the West African business alongside other units including Tanzania, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa, Chief Executive Officer Shameel Joosub said in an interview.

Vodafone Ghana will keep its branding and there will be no transfer of assets from the UK parent, he said.

The move marks the second change by Vodafone to its Africa operations this year, part of a wider effort to simplify the sprawling global carrier and focus management attention on fiercely competitive European markets.

The Newbury, England-based company agreed to sell its Egyptian business to Saudi Telecom Co. for $2.4 billion last month to focus on the sub-Saharan region.

And in 2017, Vodafone transferred a minority stake in Kenya’s Safaricom Ltd., East Africa’s biggest company, to Vodacom in an all-share deal worth about $2.6 billion.

The changes add the kind of geographical reach that Vodacom could benefit from if the parent company eventually decides to sell down its 60 per cent stake. Even if it doesn’t — Joosub said such a move is not on the cards — putting the African businesses under the same management may help Vodacom gain economies of scale.

“The larger group has sold some assets in north Africa, and the focus will be on sub-Saharan Africa under Vodacom,” Joosub said at the carrier’s offices north of Johannesburg.

The CEO was also awarded a place on Vodacom’s executive committee late last year, bringing him closer to the ear of Vodafone CEO Nick Read.

Source:mobileworldlive

Data from the Bank of Ghana has revealed that mobile money transaction-growth continues to be a dominant force in the financial sector, growing at double the rate compared to bank transactions – a further testimony that it holds the key to financial inclusion in the country.

According to the Summary of Economic and Financial data, mobile money transactions recorded GH¢32.8billion in value as at the end of 2019 – signifying a more than 45 percent increase from the previous year’s value. However, cheques – which are the main payment system for banks – recorded GH¢16.9billion in December 2019; a decline of GH¢300million from the value recorded in the previous year.

What makes the mobile money platform seem even more powerful is the number of transactions being brought into focus. The total number of transactions recorded under mobile money as of December 2019 was 200 million; whereas that of banks was 599,000 – just about 3 percent of the mobile money number.

Even the mobile money interoperability, which was launched less than two years ago, has seen a 215 percent jump in value of transactions since December 2018 – recording GH¢132million in transaction value from 1,642 transactions.

These analyses affirm one thing: that the mobile money platform plays an integral role in the country’s financial inclusion agenda. In fact, the fourth Economic Update Report on Ghana published by the World Bank says the country is the fastest-growing market for the mobile money platform of any in Africa.

According to the report, of the 17 percentage points increase in access to formal financial services between 2010 and 2015, mobile money alone accounted for 7 percent while banks contributed only 2 percent. Again, mobile money and other non-bank financial institutions contributed an additional 8 percent.

This essentially means that, within the five-year period, a lot more people are using mobile money platforms and other non-bank financial institutions to access financial services such as paying bills, sending and receiving money, among others, rather than the traditional method of using banks.

What has accounted for this change in paradigm, the report says, is the rapid penetration of mobile phones in the country – making Ghana the fastest-growing mobile money market in Africa. The total number of mobile voice subscriptions grew 39 percent from 25.6 to 37.4 million between 2012 and 2017, resulting in a six-fold increase in registered mobile money accounts between 2012 and 2017 – from 3.8 million to 23.9 million.

The report adds that banks have, on the other hand, recently contributed the least to increasing financial inclusion across the country as a result of their lack of focus on offering financial solutions to everyday Ghanaians. They have instead focused on corporate banking and high net worth individuals.

Source: thebftonline.com

Chinese smartphone makers Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo and Vivo are joining forces to create a platform for developers outside China to upload apps onto all of their app stores simultaneously, Reuters reports. People familiar with the matter said the four companies are working on the final details of what will be known as the Global Developer Service Alliance (GDSA).

The platform aims to make it easier for developers of games, music, movies and other apps to market their apps in overseas markets. The GDSA was initially aiming to launch in March, the report said, while noting it is not clear how that will be affected by the recent coronavirus outbreak.

A prototype website says the platform will initially cover nine countries and regions, including India, Indonesia and Russia. Developers can register on the site to access tools for converting and publishing their apps.

Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi confirmed they jointly developed the GDSA as a way to upload apps to their stores simultaneously. Huawei is not mentioned on the website.

A Xiaomi spokesman said the alliance was not intended to challenge Google and denied Huawei’s involvement with it. Oppo and Vivo made no mention of Huawei in their statements. Huawei declined to comment on Reuters’ report.

Huawei earlier launched its own apps store and a major campaign to win over developers. This follows US trade restrictions against the company limiting its access to the Google Play Store and Google apps.

Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi announced last month an alliance aimed at making easier for their customers to transfer files between smartphones.

Source: Telecompaper.com

Vodacom Group unveiled plans to launch 5G in its home market of South Africa during 2020 despite issues acquiring spectrum from the country’s regulator, while reporting increased uptake of data and mobile money during its fiscal Q3 (calendar Q4 2019).

In a trading update, CEO Shameel Joosub said the company would be able to launch 5G in South Africa due to a recently-signed roaming agreement to use Liquid Telecom’s 3.5GHz spectrum assets in 5G-suitable frequencies.

Vodacom laid claim to the launch of Africa’s first 5G network in Lesotho during August 2018 and, at the time, Joosub stated the company was ready to replicate the strategy in its home market as soon as it acquired suitable licences.

However, 5G spectrum has still not been formally assigned to operators by the country’s regulator. This leaves only those holding licences from legacy services, including Liquid Telecom, able to access the band.

Data, money growth
Elsewhere in its fiscal Q3 results statement, Vodacom revealed a 6.6 per cent year-on-year increase in group revenue to ZAR23.6 billion ($1.59 billion). Net profit is not disclosed on a quarterly basis.

Growth in South Africa was attributed to an increase in its customer base and uptake of data services following price cuts and seasonal promotions.

For its International division, Joosub said the company produced “solid results on the back of strong demand for data and m-Pesa services”. It added 550,000 mobile money users across its markets, excluding Safaricom in Kenya and South Africa, to reach a base of 14.8 million by end-December.

At the same point, more than 37 per cent of mobile users covered by its International division also used its mobile money platform.

Vodacom noted revenue increases attributed to m-Pesa had been “supported by higher transactions per customer as we continue to introduce new services such as micro-loans, merchant payments and interconnection with banks and other operators.”

Source: Mobileworldlive.com

In pursuit of its goal of contributing to bridge the financial divide, MTN Group has granted third parties access to its Mobile Money (MoMo) Access Programming Interface (API) platform accessible on https://momodeveloper.mtn.com/.

The open API enables developers and programmers to innovate on the platform and develop products and other innovative solutions to enable a wider range of digital solutions for MTN’s customers.

To further foster innovation and enhance financial inclusion, MTN is now inviting developers and entrepreneurs across five countries to participate in the MoMo API Hackathon. The Hackathon, run in partnership with Ericsson (MTN’s Mobile Money technology partner), will give App developers based in Ghana, Uganda, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Zambia the opportunity to create innovative financial and transactional applications using the MTN MoMo API platform.

Commenting on the initiative, MTN Group Executive for Mobile Financial Services, Eli Hini said: “Enhancing financial inclusion through the use of digital technology is an essential element in furthering the continent’s economic development, particularly for the previously unbanked. We see this as an opportunity for more tech-developers, entrepreneurs and businesses to work with us in creating more opportunities for themselves while contributing to bridging the financial divide.”

The range of solutions to close the financial services gap in markets where MTN operates requires partnerships with financial services providers, regulatory authorities, other mobile network operators, merchants, distributors, businesses, technology providers, entrepreneurs and developers. This Hackathon further illustrates the essence of the company’s ‘We’re Good Together’ initiative, which celebrates the role collaboration and partnerships play in ensuring that more people enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life.

The company is also embracing technologies that can accelerate the realisation of many United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs); the hackathon, which aims to enhance MTN’s financial services offering, speaks to the first UN SDG aimed at reducing poverty.

About the challenge

• Developers are required to create a mobile application that uses MTN MoMo APIs, and the mobile application needs to target consumers, merchants or businesses.
• The application must be useful and usable in the market where the applicants have registered and can cover use-cases beyond payment, but must utilise MTN MoMo APIs.
• MTN/Ericsson in each country will select 12 applicants.
• The pre-selected applicants will have 2 weeks to develop their ideas.
• The pre-selected applicants will need to make a live demo of their application submission.

Finalists stand a chance to win US$2,500 and one team-member will win a trip to Ericsson’s Innovation Lab in Sweden.

Source: thebftonline.com

Vodafone Ghana has rewarded the first quarter winner of its “Live your Life” promotion with a serviced plot at Appolonia City.

A statement from Vodafone to the Ghana News Agency explained that the Live your Life promotion, an SMS subscription-based promotion, allows subscribers to accumulate points by answering multiple-choice questions with the chance of winning exciting prizes, such as mobile phones and airtime, in weekly and monthly draws.

At the end of each quarter, the customer with the highest number of points walks away with an amazing prize.

Ms Bintu Haruna, the winner, expressed her excitement when pronounced the winner at the Vodafone Head Office, saying: “I am delighted to win a plot of land at Appolonia City. It is beyond my imagination! I kept texting to the short code and was not sure whether I would win anything. Vodafone promotions are real, and I urge people to participate anytime they launch new promotions.’’

The statement said, speaking at the prize presentation, Nana Okraku, VAS and New Product Development Manager, Vodafone Ghana said: “Live your Life promotion is a demonstration of our commitment to giving our customers the very best. At Vodafone, we believe in giving life-changing rewards to our customers and a serviced plot at Appolonia City serves that purpose.

“We urge customers to take advantage of this campaign by dialling *570# to win any of the amazing prizes which include an ultimate prize of GH¢100,000.’’

Mr Matthew Ansah, the Marketing and Communications Manager of Appolonia City, commended Vodafone Ghana for the partnership.

He said: “Owning a property is everyone’s dream, and it’s exciting to collaborate with the telecommunication giant, Vodafone Ghana to reward lucky winners with a well-planned city and to give participants the opportunities to be land owners.

“We thank Vodafone Ghana for this partnership and look forward to giving joy to more people in the future. Welcome to Appolonia City family Ms. Haruna.”

Source: GNA

Vodafone continues to show leadership and knowledge in the use of new channels to enhance customer experience delivery.

This year the company announced a number of customer engagement platforms including ToBi, an industry’s first virtual assistant chatbot that performs customer care functions and provides 24-hour assistance to customers on products, services, and enquiries.

One of the many ways Vodafone excites and interacts with its customers is through My Vodafone App. This unique app is a self-care mobile application that allows customers’ access to unlimited Vodafone services; designed with the objective of empowering the customer to do more and manage their accounts on the go.

My Vodafone App, combines customer touchpoints and queries into one place to make engagements with the company much easier. With its sleek new design and new tabs, customers can now send money, top up their account, see the last few transactions and raise any customers concerns for a quick response by ToBi. Customers will also be able to access Vodafone’s media content including the award-winning Healthline programme.

The mobile app has also given birth to a number of groundbreaking consumer campaigns in the past. These include an interactive gaming application named “Yen di Agoro’’, which rewarded thousands of customers in diverse ways with winnings, ranging from laptops, TV sets, smartphones, home theatres, bundles and airtime.

Vodafone also introduced ‘Shake’ a unique campaign that rewarded customers with free data and weekly rewards by simple shaking their handset.

Known for its passion for innovation and creativity, Vodafone Ghana has taken this game-changer to a completely new level with the introduction of the all-new MyVodafoneApp (MVA).

Angela Mensah-Poku, Director of Commercial & Digital Transformation, said, “This new and redesigned mobile application is completely different from the usual consumer mobile apps. Its unique and intricate features offer a complete all in one solutions platform for our customers.

“The new MVA is the most extensive overhaul the app has seen, since its inception and it will certainly be a key engagement channel between our customers and us. One remarkable thing about MVA is its integration with our Vodafone Cash platform, the most secure mobile money platform in the country.

“Besides engaging with us in real-time, enjoying the rare rewards and matchless experience, customers can now make payments directly whilst using the app.

“We are also proud that this App was delivered by our local team, young talented, Ghanaians whose expertise and creativity have given birth to something world-class ’’

She also stressed that MVA, which is in line with Vodafone’s digital strategy, empowers and allows customers to be in control 24 hours a day.

The telecommunications giant aims to significantly increase the number of customers using the app to reach out on their demands.

The redesigned MVA has a new look and feels as well as an enhanced user experience. Customers are placed on an exciting customer loyalty scheme in addition to 1GB data when they download the app that is available on the various smartphone download stores.

Source: www.myjoyonline.com

Apple recovered ground on Samsung to become the world’s largest smartphone vendor in Q4 2019, as lower pricing of its iPhone 11 range spurred healthy demand in North America and Asia, Strategy Analytics stated.

The research company said the vendor shipped 70.7 million units during the quarter, some 4.8 million more than Q4 2018, with Samsung relegated to second place on 68.8 million units despite what Strategy Analytics noted had been good growth across all price points.

Huawei placed third, with shipments down 7 per cent to 56 million due to a slowdown in China, its biggest market, and tougher competition in key overseas markets including Europe. Domestic rival Xiaomi came in fourth, with success in Western Europe and a steady performance in India contributing to shipments of 33 million, 7 million higher than Q4 2018.

Oppo rounded out the top five by shipments on 30.5 million units, a dip from 31.5 million in the 2018 period.

Total shipments in the quarter of 374.5 million units were down from 376 million in Q4 2018.

The pattern was similar across the full year, with 1.41 billion units shipped down marginally on 1.43 billion in 2018, with “sharp declines” in China balanced by strong growth in emerging markets in Africa and India.

Strategy Analytics noted Samsung maintained its leading position in full year shipments on 295.1 million units, followed by Huawei (240.5 million); Apple (197.4 million); Xiaomi (124.8 million); and Oppo (115.1 million).

The research company’s figures showed Apple and Oppo were the only top-five vendors to see declines in full year shipments.

Source: www.mobileworldlive.com

The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) approved Airtel Kenya’s acquisition of rival operator Telkom Kenya, a move which would step up competition against market leader Safaricom.

CAK director general Wang’ombe Kariuki outlined conditions for the acquisition in The Kenya Gazette, the government’s official publication, stating Airtel Kenya cannot sell the merged entity for the next five years and must fulfil all existing contracts with government entities.

In a move to safeguard jobs, CAK demanded 349 of Telkom Kenya’s 674 employees be retained after the acquisition. Two-thirds must be employed for a minimum of two years, with the rest to be absorbed by network partners. Telkom Kenya stated in August it would make 575 of its staff redundant as a result of the acquisition.

One last hurdle for the merger is an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, which already delayed the process.

Prior to the probe, a committee in Kenya’s National Assembly said the deal had “all the hallmarks of a scandal” noting it enabled private individuals to acquire a public company “through the backdoor for a song”.

The merger of the second- and third-largest operators in Kenya was announced in February: the new company would be called Airtel-Telkom.

Source: mobileworldlive.com