Vodafone and Microsoft Partner to Revolutionise Digital Services in Africa and Europe

Vodafone (VOD.L) and Microsoft (MSFT.O) have joined forces in a transformative 10-year partnership set to impact more than 300 million businesses, public sector organisations, and consumers across Europe and Africa. The collaboration capitalises on each company’s strengths in providing scalable digital platforms.

Key Highlights of the Partnership:

• Customer Experience Enhancement: Vodafone will invest $1.5 billion in customer-focused AI, utilising Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI and Copilot technologies. This investment aims to create highly personalised and differentiated customer experiences across various channels.
• IoT Expansion: Microsoft will invest in Vodafone’s standalone global Internet of Things (IoT) managed connectivity platform, which connects 175 million devices and platforms worldwide. Vodafone will also become part of the Azure ecosystem, making the IoT platform accessible to a broader developer and third-party community through open APIs.
• Digital Acceleration in Africa: The partnership intends to further scale M-Pesa, Africa’s largest financial technology platform, by hosting it on Azure and launching new cloud-native applications. A purpose-led program will enrich the lives of 100 million consumers and 1 million SMEs in Africa, focusing on digital literacy, skilling, and youth outreach programs.
• Enterprise Growth: Vodafone will expand its distribution of Microsoft services, including Azure, security solutions, and modern work offerings, to support SMEs across Europe. This will provide business customers with cost-effective access to Microsoft’s cloud-based services and managed platforms that grow with their businesses.
• Cloud Transformation: Vodafone plans to modernise its data centres using Microsoft Azure, enhancing responsiveness to customers while reducing operational costs. This transformation includes replacing physical data centres with virtual ones, reducing energy consumption and aligning with sustainable business strategies.

Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group CEO, emphasised the partnership’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation for businesses, particularly SMEs, and enhancing customer experiences. Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, highlighted the potential of generative AI to unlock new opportunities across industries worldwide.

This strategic partnership represents a significant step in the digital future of Europe and Africa, aiming to deliver innovative solutions and drive economic growth in both regions.

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Original Source: Microsoft