Vodacom Group Ltd Ord (VODAF) Q2 2025 Earnings Call

Investor webinar replay

Replay transcript excerpt

Welcome to our strategy update and interim results highlights for the period ended 30 September 2024. As we celebrate Vodacom's 30th birthday, I am particularly proud of the impact we have made on inclusion in Africa. Vodacom connects 206 million customers and provides financial services to 83 million customers, each representing significant milestones in our history. These milestones were achieved in a financial period characterized by significant currency headwinds on the one hand and a resilient operational response on the other, to ensure that we continue to deliver on our medium-term financial targets. While Vodacom has adapted to evolving regulatory pressures and customer needs, our purpose was unchanged for the past three decades, which is to make sure that everyone is connected. To achieve this purpose, we are focused on empowering people and protecting the planet, while maintaining trust in everything we do. At the International Telecommunications Union's recent event at the UN General Assembly, we emphasised the urgency of empowering people through digital and financial inclusion. In low-income countries, only 35% of the population have access to 4G. We have adopted a holistic approach to address inclusion across our footprint that leverages Vodacom's scale and partnerships. From new rural sites to fibre to space, we are expanding our coverage to close the digital divide. The commitment is evident in the 1,133 new 4G sites added across the group over the last six months. As pioneers of mobile financial services, we also contribute significantly to Africa's financial inclusion. Our products are designed to support both consumers and merchants. Over the last 12 months, we added another 9 million financial service customers. In the DRC, our Je Suis Camp and Pa...