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 info@afrobility.com
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