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

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