In a bid to deepen collaboration across Africa, Vodacom has signed a protocol with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Under the agreement, Vodacom will share operational expertise and best practices drawn from its markets across Africa to support broader industry development.
The collaboration will center on regulatory frameworks for satellite communications and spectrum management, strategies for digital inclusion, and efforts to expand connectivity for educational purposes, among other areas.
According to Vodacom, the partnership aims to strengthen cooperation between telecom operators and international development bodies, helping accelerate connectivity and digital transformation efforts across the continent.
Chief External Affairs Officer at Vodacom Group, Ayman Essam said, “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.”
He added, “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 is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is majority-owned by the UK-based Vodafone Group. The company operates directly in six countries and maintains affiliate operations in two others. Vodacom serves more than 220 million consumer and enterprise customers, offering mobile services and financial solutions including M-PESA, which was launched in 2007 through a partnership between Safaricom and Vodafone.
In the fiscal year ending 2025, M-PESA processed USD 450.8 billion in transactions, an amount equivalent to roughly 13-15% of Africa’s GDP.
