Business Chief takes a look at some of the top companies who have contributed to the region’s digital disruption in 2019.
10. Airtel
Airtel, founded in 1995, is a leading telecommunications company. It offers its customers 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, mobile commerce, fixed line services, high speed home broadband, direct-to-home (DTH), enterprise services including national and international long distance services to carriers.
Implementations made in 2019:
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Digitally transforming the payment landscape in Africa via its partnership with Mastercard, to enhance connectivity and accessibility for its 100mn customers in Africa. As a result, customers will be able to make safe mobile payments.
HQ: New Delhi, India
Website: www.airtel.in
CEO: Gopal Vittal
9. Ericsson
Founded in 1876, Ericsson is a leading provider of information and communication technology, the company utilises innovative technology such as 5G, IoT and automation to achieve its ‘quest for easy’ when it comes to full value connectivity.
Implementations made in 2019:
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Ericsson supported MTN during its transformation strategy to modernise and upgrade its core networks. “With this deal MTN South Africa will be one of the true 5G pioneers in Africa. Citizens, enterprises, industries and societies in South Africa are set to benefit enormously from 5G and we are here to help MTN South Africa make that happen.”
HQ: Stockholm, Sweden
Website: www.ericsson.com/en
CEO: Börje Ekholm
8. Capgemini
Capgemini, founded in 1967 is a global leader in consulting and technology services for digital transformation. Capgemini aims to be at the forefront of innovation, delivering evolving opportunities to drive businesses towards their ambitions.
Implementations made in 2019:
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Capgemini developed ‘Project FARM’, an intelligent data platform designed to optimise the agricultural value chain and improve global food supply. The platform harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) to determine farming patterns and generate insights from Big Data for strategic optimisation.
HQ: Paris, France
Website: www.capgemini.com
CEO: Paul Hermelin
7. Deutsche Post DHL Group (DPDHL)
Founded in 1995, Deutsche Post DHL Group (DPDHL) is a world leading mail and logistics company, focused on “making a positive contribution to the world by connecting people and enabling global trade, while being committed to responsible business practice.”
Implementations made in 2019:
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DPDHL has introduced its subsidiary road freight platform, Saloodo!, into South Africa. The launch aims to provide a more efficient and connected road freight network for the region’s landlocked and widespread countries and is the first digital solution of its kind in South Africa.
HQ: Bonn, Germany
Website: www.dpdhl.com/en.html
CEO: Frank Appel
6. Interswitch
Interswitch, an integrated digital payments and commerce company that facilitates the electronic circulation of money in Africa.
Implementations made in 2019:
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Interswitch formed a strategic partnership with Visa to expand the region’s digital payments ecosystem to drive financial inclusion in Africa. The partnership aims to create an instant acceptance network across Africa to facilitate greater connectivity.
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Interswitch has also acquired eClat Healthcare Ltd. to drive innovation and modernisation within the healthcare system.
HQ: Lagos, Nigeria
Website: www.interswitchgroup.com
CEO: Mitchell Elegbe
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Read the latest issue of Business Chief, Africa edition, here
5. Safaricom
When it comes to safety within the African region, Safaricom – a leading African mobile network company – continuously works to improve online security and data protection.
Implementations made in 2019:
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Safaricom introduced fraud intelligent solutions for banks, micro-finance institutes and insurance firms to reduce fraud via improved transaction authentication tools for unstructured supplementary service data (USSD), internet banking and smartphone apps.
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It developed IT security solutions to protect the IT systems for enterprises, with access to real time monitoring.
HQ: Nairobi, Kenya
Website: www.safaricom.co.ke
CEO: Michael Joseph
4. Vodacom
Vodacom is committed to empowering the African region to be confidently connected. As part of its strategy, the company has been partnering with the likes of Google to accelerate development.
Implementations made in 2019:
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Vodacom has invested US$5.57mn into the Mpumalanga province to improve the network experience in rural areas.
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Vodacom is partnering with SEACOM to expand Africa’s connectivity and drive digital growth beyond its existing markets.
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Vodacom reduced low latency by 40% for African based American corporations by extending its pan-Africa network connectivity to the United States.
HQ: Nairobi, Kenya
Website: www.vodacom.com/index.php
CEO: Mohamed Shameel Aziz Joosub
3. MTN Group
MTN Group has been dedicated to leading digital transformation across Africa and the Middle East, to be at the forefront of innovative technology.
Implementations made in 2019:
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MTN Group utilised innovative OpenRAN technology to deploy over 200 commercial rural sites to provide cost effective coverage and increased connectivity.
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It partnered with Internet Watch Foundation to combat the exploitation of children, ensuring connectivity continues to have the desired positive effect on the region.
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By launching ‘MoMo’, an AI chatbot service, MTN now offers customers engaging, mobile money assistance.
HQ: Johannesburg, South Africa
Website: www.mtn.com
CEO: Rob Schuter
2. Liquid Telecom
Simply put, Liquid Telecom is a data voice and IP provider in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. The company is “driven by one simple yet powerful belief that everyone in Africa has the right to be connected.” Liquid Telecom has built Africa's largest independent fibre network in economies where fixed networks have never been before, running from Cape Town to Cairo and spanning nearly 70,000km.
Implementations made in 2019:
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Through Microsoft Azure cloud technology, Liquid Telecom is driving enterprise collaboration, as well as providing low latency and high capacity connectivity.
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Liquid Telecom is Implementing the first fibre broadband infrastructure in Sudan, providing more affordable internet connectivity with the ambition to create a foundation for digital innovation and prosperity.
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It is connecting East Africa to West Africa via a high capacity land based fibre broadband infrastructure. The new infrastructure is primed to reduce the reliance on mobile broadband and provide high-speed, reliable connectivity.
HQ: Mauritius, East Africa
Website: www.liquidtelecom.com
CEO: Nic Rudnick
1. Orange
When it comes to paving the way for digital disruption, Orange is truly setting a high bar. Last year, the telecommunications company launched its outlook for the MEA region, highlighting its core vision to “set the standard as a multi-service operator supporting digital transformation in the Middle East and Africa.” Alongside its vision, Orange wants innovation to be a driver for growth, meeting essential customer needs, providing an unmatched experience and becoming a reference partner for digital transformation.
Implementations made in 2019:
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Through the construction of a multi-regional West African network infrastructure Orange is providing large scale capacity, connectivity and a developing digital ecosystem.
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It launched two ‘Orange Digital Centres’ in Tunisia and Dakar to support the growing digital ecosystem, foster innovation and promote shared knowledge and experience.
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Orange is also installing a submarine telecommunications cable to connect French Guiana and the Antillies to increase capacity, driving growth and development.
HQ: Paris, France
Website: www.orange.com/en/home
CEO: Alioune Ndiaye (Orange MEA)
For more information on business topics in the Middle East and Africa, please take a look at the latest edition of Business Chief MEA.
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