In a significant milestone that coincides with the 11th anniversary of Vodafone M-Pesa, the mobile financial giant has taken a bold step into the future of Mozambique by appointing Salimo Abdula as its new Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Salimo, a strategic leader with a wealth of business experience, steps into the role at a pivotal moment for the mobile financial services market, which is in a crucial period of expansion and innovation. 

Vodafone M-Pesa is poised to redefine the landscape of financial inclusion in Mozambique. Under Salimo’s stewardship, the company aims to introduce cutting-edge solutions to meet the dynamic needs of the market. 

Salimo Abdula, the new Chairman of Vodafone M-Pesa

It is an opportunity he looks forward to. “Leading Vodafone M-Pesa is a challenge that honours me and allows me to contribute to the country’s growth,” he says. “I reaffirm M-Pesa’s commitment to operational excellence and in delivering financial services to all Mozambicans. 

“We intend to take M-Pesa to new heights of success. The experience and vision of our team are crucial for future growth plans and for sustaining our ongoing success in the market.” 

A visionary at the helm

Salimo has an impressive track record with more than three decades of experience in leading various companies. He achieved his first success as a young man, managing to turn around a business that was deeply in debt. 

Since then, numerous organisations have thrived under his strategic leadership. He founded Intelec Holdings Group and has held several prominent positions, including presidencies at the CPLP Business Confederation and the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA), as well as chairing Vodacom Mozambique. 

His academic accolades include honorary doctorates in entrepreneurship and philosophy from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and the Trinity International University of Ambassadors, respectively. 

The new Board Chairman is passionate about Africa’s potential. As he posted on Instagram for Africa Day, “If there is a continent where the phrase ‘the dream guides the life’ makes complete sense, it is Africa. When we dream of freedom, we fight for it. Now, we dream of development, and we will fight for it.”

The future of financial services

Salimo is excited about what lies ahead. Vodafone M-Pesa stands at the forefront of financial innovation, offering a comprehensive ecosystem of services that facilitate deposits, payments, transfers, withdrawals and access to savings, credit solutions and insurance.  

With a robust customer base in Mozambique exceeding six million and a network of 54 000 active agents nationwide, M-Pesa’s impact on financial inclusion is unrivalled. 

Vodafone M-Pesa will also continue to offer secure financial services and assist the government and the Bank of Mozambique in their ambitious and important financial inclusion programme for Mozambicans.