Africa isn’t waiting – and neither are we

Closing the financial year – and with it, the first year of our Vision 2030 strategy cycle – feels like exactly the right moment to share a few words with you. When I was appointed Chief External Affairs Officer last August, it was a new role but a familiar home – and these past months have reinforced something I’ve long believed: that when connectivity is truly fair and inclusive, it becomes a force for opportunity that lifts individuals, communities and economies alike.

Across our markets, I’ve seen how reliable access can change the trajectory of a person, a family or a small business – opening doors that were once firmly closed. That belief is what drew me here, and it’s alive in every story this edition tells.

This March, International Women’s Day gave us more than a moment to celebrate. It was an opportunity to reflect honestly on our progress, the persistent barriers, and our responsibility to build an organisation where women lead without fighting for a seat at the table. Women’s voices drive better decisions and outcomes. We believe that deeply, and we’re acting on it.

A tangible expression of this commitment is our Technical Career Path (TCP). Spotlighted in this edition of One Spirit, TCP isn’t just a slide-deck initiative; it’s a structured programme rewriting who shapes Africa’s digital future, one talented woman at a time. Read on to meet some of these rising stars. This is Vision 2030’s Talent & Culture pillar in practice – not a target, but a multiplier effect.

Momentum is also building in unexpected places. The Democratic Republic of Congo’s reputation is often shaped by its challenges, but our 23.4 million customers there tell a different story: one of unstoppable energy, digital appetite and incredible potential. This edition’s cover feature may change how you view one of Africa’s most exciting markets.

The DRC also highlights a broader truth. Across Africa, millions remain invisible to formal financial systems. Yet informal traders didn’t wait to be included – they built their own networks. Vodacom connects that ingenuity to real opportunity. Services like Safaricom’s Ziidi Trader, a new stock-trading feature within the M-PESA app, bring investment tools to those who’ve never had access. This is what democratising wealth looks like.

What connects all of this – the programmes, market stories and innovations – is a deep belief in Africa’s potential and the people bringing it to life. From a TCP participant charting a new path, to a Kinshasa trader accessing financial tools, to our teams from Cape to Cairo building what’s next, this edition reminds us why the journey matters.

That’s Vision 2030 in motion. I hope it inspires you as much as it inspires me.

Happy reading!