Operator commits to share its expertise and best practices from its operations across African markets
Vodacom has signed a protocol with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to strengthen collaboration on digital inclusion and telecoms development across Africa at the AI for Good Summit.
Vodacom serves more than 220 million customers, consumer and enterprise, providing mobile services and financial solutions including M-PESA. This was launched in 2007 by Safaricom and Vodafone. M-PESA processed transactions that amounted to $450.8 billion in the fiscal year ending in 2025 – which equates to 13-15% of Africa’s gross domestic product, according to Gil Analytics.
Under the terms of the protocol, Vodacom is to share expertise and best practices from its operations across African markets to support the industry’s development. The collaboration will focus regulatory frameworks for satellite communications and spectrum management, digital inclusion strategies and expanding connectivity for education, among other things.
Vodacom says the partnership is intended to foster closer cooperation between the telecoms industry and international development organisations to accelerate connectivity and digital transformation initiatives across the continent.
Ayman Essam, Chief External Affairs Officer, Vodacom Group, commented in a LinkedIn blog, “But here’s what excites me most: this partnership positions ITU and Vodacom as genuine collaborators, not just in policy discussions, but in real implementation. We’re committing to bring operational insights from the ground, where connectivity happens. Where education reaches. Where financial inclusion transforms lives.
“Public-private partnership isn’t just aspirational language. It’s the only viable pathway to scale. When operators, regulators and development bodies align around shared outcomes, previously impossible challenges become achievable. That’s the Africa we are committed to building at Vodacom.”
Vodacom’s headquarters are in Johannesburg (pictured), South Africa. It is majority-owned by the UK-based Vodafone Group. It operates in six countries directly, and in two through affiliations as shown below.
