The TechAfrica News Podcast

• EP.03 | Jorge Mendes on Cell C’s Strategy for a Sustainable, Customer-Centric Future

  In this episode, Jorge Mendes, CEO of Cell C, speaks with Akim Benamara, Chief Editor and Founder of TechAfrica News, about the company’s ambitious turnaround plan.In an industry marked by rapid technological change and fierce competition, South Africa’s telecom sector faces complex challenges—from constrained cash flows to the persistent digital divide across the continent. For Cell C, a key player in this market, overcoming these challenges requires more than quick fixes. So, how does Cell C navigate these hurdles while staying true to its customers and long-term vision?About our Guest - Jorge Mendes Jorge Mendes brings nearly 30 years of telecom experience, known for people-centric leadership and building high-performing teams. Before Cell C, he led consumer business at Vodacom South Africa, driving market share growth and partnerships. He holds executive credentials from Harvard Business School and Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership. Cell C’s Turnaround: Culture, Sustainability, and Strategic Agility Mendes reflects on a transformative year focused on sustainability amid significant cash flow and technology challenges. Central to this is shaping a strong culture based on transparency, honesty, integrity, and simplicity “We've always wanted to have the best culture in the country. We've been deliberate in building a good team that fits our value system. We also had to structure our technology setup, especially network quality.”  — Jorge Mendes, CEO, Cell C Lean Technology Strategy and Customer-Centric Innovation  Cell C’s technology approach prioritizes agility and partnerships over heavy infrastructure investment. By leveraging networks from providers like MTN and Vodacom, Cell C maintains competitive quality with a “fundamentally different” CapEx model. Customer-centricity drives both core services and innovation. Mendes insists on excelling at “bread and butter” voice and data offerings while exploring new revenue streams through partnerships, especially in financial services.  MVNOs and Market Positioning: Integration Over Wholesale Cell C’s Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) strategy moves beyond traditional wholesale models to deep, integrated partnerships tailored to partners’ industry needs. Mendes critiques past MVNO failures due to lack of integration, asserting that “when you align that with personalization, you’re onto something very special.” Driving Digital Inclusion and Affordability Committed to bridging Africa’s digital divide, Cell C invests in connectivity for underserved communities, digital literacy programs, and supports emerging technologies like Starlink. Affordability efforts focus on lowering communication costs and increasing access to modern devices. Collaborations with government and industry aim to phase out older technologies in favor of 4G/5G, with potential subsidies and tax reforms.  Pragmatic Views on 5G, Fair Share, and New Revenue Models Mendes offers a realistic assessment of 5G’s role, noting limited consumer monetization but potential niche enterprise applications like automation in mining. A final priority is product clarity. Mendes also wants to eliminate ambiguous bundles and hidden costs that confuse customers.  This episode was filmed on: 12th November 2024Thank you for listening The TechAfrica News Podcast in Partnership with Smart Africa! For more insights, subscribe to our podcast and visit:www.techafricanews.com/podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network. © 2025 TechAfrica News & The TechAfrica News Podcast. All rights reserved.

  --------  

  34:24
• EP.02 | Lacina Koné on AI, Connectivity and why Africa must lead itself

  In this episode, Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, joins Akim Benamara, Chief Editor and Founder of TechAfrica News, for a candid conversation exploring bold strategies, mindset shifts, and the collaborative efforts driving Africa’s digital transformation.Africa’s digital future holds immense promise but faces challenges. Fragmented policies, outdated mindsets, and uneven access threaten to stall progress just as emerging technologies like AI offer unprecedented opportunities. The critical question is no longer if Africa will transform digitally, but how it can harness AI, build a unified digital identity, and leapfrog legacy constraints to secure its place in the global tech landscape. About our Guest – Lacina Koné Since 2019, Lacina Koné has led Smart Africa’s digital agenda, spearheading initiatives in Digital Identity, ICT startups, Smart Villages, and broadband strategy. Recognized as a top influencer in Africa’s digital transformation, he ranked 12th among the continent’s most impactful digital leaders in 2021 and 3rd in Jeune Afrique’s 2022 technology ranking. With over 25 years in telecommunications and ICT, Koné previously advised Côte d'Ivoire’s Prime Minister and President on digital reforms. He holds degrees in electronic engineering and an MBA and serves on advisory boards including the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development.  Reclaiming Africa’s Digital Narrative and Vision for Unity Koné stresses the importance of Africans controlling their own digital transformation story, partnering with platforms like Tech Africa News to shape an authentic narrative. Smart Africa aims to create a single digital market by uniting governments, private sector, academia, and development partners in a multi-stakeholder platform focused on practical impact. "Your story is only better told when it's told by yourself, and this gives us a ground for particularly our partnership with TechAfrica News that we tell our story ourselves and we have the control of the narrative."  — Lacino Koné, CEO, Smart Africa Mindset, Regulation, and AI as Drivers of Inclusive Transformation Koné identifies mindset change as the biggest hurdle and opportunity, emphasizing that “you are what you decided to be.” Also, AI plays a central role as a catalyst for social inclusion, allowing Africans to interact with services in their own languages and contexts. To harness AI effectively, Koné announced the creation of an Africa AI Council—a collaborative task force under the ICT ministers’ umbrella—to address computing power, data governance, and algorithm development. Digital Identity, Private Sector Empowerment, and Connectivity Challenges Digital identity is foundational to Africa’s integration and transformation. With over 450 million Africans lacking formal ID, Smart Africa’s Trust Alliance pilots interoperable digital ID systems between countries like Rwanda and Benin to enable seamless cross-border services.  Looking Ahead: Transform Africa Summit 2025 Scheduled for July 22–24 in Kigali, TAS 2025 will spotlight AI as a key accelerator for digital transformation under the theme “Innovate locally, impact globally.”  Thank you for listening The TechAfrica News Podcast in Partnership with Smart Africa! For more insights, subscribe to our podcast and visit:www.techafricanews.com/podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network. © 2025 TechAfrica News & The TechAfrica News Podcast. All rights reserved.

  --------  

  50:12
• EP.01 | Minister Solly Malatsi: Is South Africa Ready for a Digitally Inclusive Future?

  In this episode Solly Malatsi, South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, joins Akim Benamara, our Chief Editor and Founder, to unpack the country’s digital strategy, recent policy shifts, and his vision for a truly connected South Africa. Recorded early in Malatsi’s tenure, the conversation reveals the clarity of his vision and the commitment to action that has since followed.  South Africa has no shortage of tech innovation, talent, or potential. But what if the real roadblocks to digital transformation aren’t technical—but systemic? Outdated policies and misplaced priorities may be slowing down the nation’s digital future. How can the country overcome these to lead in connectivity, economic growth, and tech inclusion? About Our Guest: Min. Solly Malatsi Solly Malatsi brings a unique perspective to South Africa’s digital transformation. Though he considers himself an “outsider” to the sector, his brief time on the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technology gave him a firsthand look at the industry’s scope. Now, with a focus on affordability, accessibility, and innovation, he is determined to drive meaningful change. Digital Inclusion: Infrastructure, Affordability, and Policy Reform Malatsi identifies three key barriers to inclusion: broadband infrastructure, device affordability, and data costs. “Having a smart device is not a luxury,” he says, calling it a necessity. The government is pursuing tax reforms to lower device costs and pushing forward initiatives like SA Connect, which offers free Wi-Fi in schools and clinics. For him, ICT policy is a tool for economic opportunity and job creation. Leadership, Political Will, and Bureaucratic Alignment Political will means “the ability to take decisions when they need to be taken.” Malatsi credits the national unity government with fostering responsiveness but emphasizes that leadership must also engage the bureaucracy—the drivers and executors of policy—to maintain momentum. Emerging Technologies: Ethical AI and Cross-Sector Impact Malatsi rejects narrow definitions of digital transformation, stressing its cross-sector impact, particularly in cybersecurity. On AI, he sees potential in productivity and creativity but also cautions against ethical risks like misinformation and IP misuse. Digital Literacy, Education Reform, and Meaningful Digitization Digital literacy is a government priority, with plans to integrate digital tools into education and reform curricula for future-ready skills. Malatsi stresses that technology must be “an instrument for progress, not a box-ticking exercise.” He critiques shallow digitization and calls for better digital public services. “The ultimate goal is to have a digitally inclusive South Africa. As long as I'm in this role, everything we do will be geared towards digital inclusion—expanding digital skills, creating opportunities, and ensuring that as many South Africans as possible can participate in the digital economy.”  — Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies This episode was filmed on: 7th August 2024 at the Multichoice Headquarter in JohannesburgThank you for listening The TechAfrica News Podcast in Partnership with Smart Africa! For more insights, subscribe to our podcast and visit:www.techafricanews.com/podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network. © 2025 TechAfrica News & The TechAfrica News Podcast. All rights reserved.

  --------  

  34:25

More Technology podcasts

Trending Technology podcasts

About The TechAfrica News Podcast