Afrobility: Africa Tech and Business

#6: Safaricom - How Kenya’s largest telco drove M-Pesa to become the most successful mobile financial platform in Africa

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Overview: Today we’re going to talk about Safaricom - The largest telecom carrier in Kenya. We’ll discuss its early history, M-Pesa launch, M-Pesa success, attempted M-Pesa global expansion & Safaricom's future outlook

 

Companies discussed: Safaricom, Vodacom, Vodafone, Telkom, MTN & M-Kopa

 

Business concepts discussed: Unbanked population, Financial inclusion, Mobile money, Payment platforms, government regulation, global expansion, telco competition, state-owned companies & product launch timing

 

Conversation highlights:

  • (00:36) - Kenya context and contrast with other major African countries
  • (01:10) - Safaricom history and ownership structure
  • (03:53) - Safaricom financials and market share
  • (06:58) - M-Pesa background
  • (08:27) - How M-Pesa works
  • (09:45) - M-Pesa ownership - Safaricom, Vodafone and Vodacom
  • (10:15) - How M-Pesa become successful in Kenya
  • (13:50) - M-Pesa’s international expansion
  • (21:20) - M-Pesa in India
  • (24:50) - Safaricom’s other products (Home Internet, M-Kopa solar, Ridesharing, etc)
  • (34:05) - Bankole’s thoughts and overall outlook
  • (37:02) - Olumide’s thoughts and overall outlook
  • (41:17) - Bankole’s recommendations and small wins
  • (45:42) - Olumide’s recommendations and small wins

    •  

    Olumide’s recommendations & small wins:

    • Recommendation: Angel (by Jason Calacanis)
    • Recommendation: Angel Investing (by David Rose)
    • Small win: Link to Text Fragment (Chrome extension)

      •  

      Bankole’s recommendations & small wins:

      • Recommendation: Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution
      • Small win: Roam Research

        •  

        We’d love to hear from you. If you have feedback, topics you’d like to hear, or just want to say hello, please email [email protected]

         

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        Afrobility: Africa Tech and BusinessBy Olumide Ogunsanwo and Bankole Makanju
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