Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Lesotho’s digital transformation, calling the country a vital part of the telco’s DNA during a high-level working visit yesterday.
Lesotho holds a special place in Vodacom’s history, dating to 1995 when it became the first country outside South Africa to grant the telecoms giant an operating licence.
Today, Vodacom Lesotho is the country’s largest mobile operator, serving more than 1.2 million subscribers and holding the lion’s share of the market.
Meeting with prime minister Sam Matekane, Joosub committed to the mobile communications company’s role in advancing Lesotho’s national digitisation agenda, with a focus on e-payment systems, youth empowerment, and cyber security.
“We discussed a number of issues that included digital and financial inclusion, cyber security, and how Vodacom was going to collaborate and partner with the government on its digitisation agenda, noting the need to unlock other opportunities that have the potential to create jobs for the youth within a digital economy,” he said.
A major highlight is the collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to launch the Digital Skills Hub, a free training platform aimed at equipping Basotho youth with in-demand digital and tech skills. “This is about building a robust digital ecosystem that leaves no one behind,” Joosub added.
Vodacom’s Vision 2030 strategy, which Joosub presented to staff at a town hall meeting, is anchored on empowering people, protecting the planet, and building a future-proof business based on trust, loyalty, and technological excellence.
The Vodacom Group CEO stressed that in Lesotho, this translates into continued investment in 4G and 5G connectivity, expansion of mobile money services, and support for infrastructure, education, and healthcare initiatives.
Lesotho, affectionately known as the “Kingdom in the Sky,” is strategically important to the Pan-African telecoms giant not just for its pioneering role in the company’s regional expansion, but also for its potential to serve as a model for inclusive digital growth in emerging markets.
“Our roots here run deep. Lesotho was our first step beyond South Africa, and it will remain a key focus as we strive to improve lives through technology,” said Joosub.
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