Safaricom, Vodafone to partner in fight for Africa’s super deals

BY MACHARIA KAMAU

Safaricom is now pursuing revenue from regional operations of multinational firms that are headquartered in Kenya.

This follows Safaricom’s partnership deal with Vodafone Global Enterprise (GVE), an affiliate of Vodafone UK yesterday. Vodafone UK has a 40 per cent shareholding in leading telecoms firm.

The deal will enable Safaricom extend its services to local and global firms using Kenya as a springboard to the region.

The partnership with VGE will help Safaricom service customers in Kenya, who have regional offices, including a single service level agreement provision across different countries. The move will also see Vodafone Global Enterprise (VGE) increase its activities in Africa, with the unit setting up a hub in Nairobi and Accra, Ghana.

This is as the two telecommunication firms angle for businesses of global firms that are increasingly setting up offices in Africa.

Safaricom General Manager Enterprise Business Unit Sylvia Mulinge said the telco has had challenges offering services to clients with operations across the region.

“We have clients who have headquartered their regional operations in Kenya and want service that across different countries. We have had a challenge because we do not have operations in other countries as Safaricom,” she said.

“The partnership with VGE will enable Safaricom follow its customers as they go to the region.”

Services to clients

VGE also hopes to ride on the infrastructure of Vodafone subsidiaries across Africa as well as Vodafone’s global infrastructure to provide services to clients across Africa.

 These  include mobile and fixed line communications. The entry and setting up a hub in Kenya by VGE will aid its expand operations across Africa as it angles for businesses of global firms that have setting up base on the continent.

The Kenya and Ghana hubs are in addition to enterprise customer service operations by the firm in Cairo and Johannesburg already providing service to Vodafone’s customers.

“Africa represents the largest growth opportunity for many multinational firms as they grow their business and at times try to compensate for the shrinking markets in American and European markets,” said Ross Thomasson VGE regional director for Africa.

“Global companies expanding their presence in Africa are daunted by the challenge of setting up operations in different countries such as infrastructure and communication challenges,” he said.

“Companies are looking for expert help in minimising the cost and complexity of their communications across Africa.”

“There is growing interest in our ability to offer a single management contract governing multiple territories, taking away much of the worry for large corporate customers looking to manage their communication in a fast growing but demanding environment.”