Ep 98 - Safaricom: On the hunt for revenue (Fawzia Ali)

Telco in 20

• 21 min

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In 2007, Safaricom PLC (Safaricom) and Vodafone invented M-PESA, a mobile payment system that has transformed financial services in Kenya and beyond by bringing banking capabilities to unbanked populations. M-PESA has become a cornerstone of the Kenyan economy and helped Safaricom build a reputation for innovation.  In this episode, I'm talking with Fawzia Ali, chief consumer business officer at Safaricom. We discuss the success of M-PESA, the company’s efforts to use AI and machine learning for continued innovation, and how it’s preparing its workforce for an AI-driven future. Listen now to hear: <ul> <li>How M-PESA simplicity and wide distribution changed the game for unbanked populations [02:12];</li> <li>How Safaricom is using AI and ML to create hyper-personalized plans [06:52];</li> <li>The power of starting with small cohorts of customers and iterating quickly [09:45]; and</li> <li>How Safaricom is boosting employees’ AI know-how and fostering a culture of AI innovation [13:00].</li> </ul> Links and Resources <ul> <li>In 2015, American television news show 60 Minutes <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/video/the-future-of-money/" rel="nofollow">told the story of M-PESA’s success</a>, and in June of this year, Forbes continued the story with the article, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/christianstadler/2024/06/11/m-pesa-why-the-worlds-first-large-mobile-payment-platform-keeps-on-winning/" rel="nofollow">M-PESA: Why the world’s first large mobile payment platform keeps on winning</a>.</li> <li>Earlier this year, Fawzia wrote <a href="https://joom.ag/kPAd/p10" rel="nofollow">an article for Marketing Africa Magazine</a> called Learn, Unlearn, Relearn about the importance of setting personal and professional goals and learning new skills. Look for it on page 8.</li> <li>Ready to unlock the power of your data and supercharge your customer experience? Listen to my MWC23 MVNO Summit Talk, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NsYTv4ebXY&t=223s" rel="nofollow">SUPERCHARGE your MVNO with personalization</a> where I talk about how you can use ML and hyperpersonalization to drive new revenue.</li> <li>Fawzia and I both have a special relationship with shoes, and she’s even talked about her passion for them in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A9Cr3J6m84" rel="nofollow">this video from Engage+</a>.</li> <li>My go-to shoes are <a href="https://www.goldengoose.com/us/en/search?q=mid+star&lang=en_US" rel="nofollow">Golden Goose mid-stars</a>: They have wingtip styling like a man’s business shoe. They’re my “business sneaker.”</li> <li>Watch this episode on our <a href="https://youtu.be/NS_NV6EvlfM" rel="nofollow">YouTube channel</a>.</li> <li>You can find the episode transcript <a href="https://telcodr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Episode-98-Fawzia-Ali-Safaricom-PLC-Transcript.pdf" rel="nofollow">here</a>.</li> </ul> Wanna talk AI and public cloud? Telco execs, <a href="https://www.telcodr.com/contact/?utm_source=TDREm031221" rel="nofollow">set up a meeting</a> with our team to learn how to tap the immense business value it can bring.  Follow DR <ul> <li>Have an idea for a Telco in 20 podcast guest or topic?<a href="https://www.telcodr.com/contact" rel="nofollow"> Send it in!</a></li> <li>Want to sponsor a podcast?<a href="https://www.telcodr.com/contact" rel="nofollow"> Let us know</a></li> <li>Follow Telco in 20 on X<a href="https://twitter.com/TelcoIn20" rel="nofollow"> @TelcoIn20</a></li> <li>Follow DR on X<a href="https://twitter.com/TelcoDR" rel="nofollow"> @TelcoDR</a></li> </ul> The Telco in 20 podcast won 2024 and 2022 Hermes Awards, 2023 and 2022 MarComm Awards, and was recognized as a <a href="https://tecknexus.com/5g-network/5g-and-beyond-5g-magazine-feb-2024-edition/top-12-telco-and-tech-podcasts-essential-listening-for-industry-insights/" rel="nofollow">TeckNexus Top 12 Telco and Tech Podcast</a>, Forrester <a href="https://go.forrester.com/blogs/the-100-best-channel-podcasts-of-2021/" rel="nofollow">Top 100 Channel Podcast</a> and Feedspot <a href="https://blog.feedspot.com/telecom_podcasts/" rel="nofollow">Top 10 Telecom Podcast</a>. If you enjoy the podcast, would you leave us a short review? It takes you seconds to do in your app and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. And I love reading your feedback and reviews! This week’s guest Fawzia Ali is a transformational commercial leader in the FMCG and telecommunications sectors, currently serving as the chief consumer business officer at Safaricom PLC, a leading technology company in Africa. With an impressive track record of success and a deep understanding of the ever-evolving consumer landscape, Fawzia plays a pivotal role in shaping Safaricom's customer-centric strategy and driving the company's growth in the competitive technology sector. She leads a diverse and talented team focused on creating value for Safaricom's customers. Podcast Credits <ul> <li>Executive Producer and Host: Danielle Rios, TelcoDR</li> <li>Senior Producer: Lindsay Grubb, TillCo Media</li> <li>Senior Editor/Brand Manager: Alisa Jenkins, Springboard Marketing</li> <li>Audio Editor: Andrew Condell</li> <li>Supervising Producer: Amanda Avery</li> <li>Associate Producer: Kriselda Dionisio</li> <li>Music: Dyami Wilson</li> </ul> Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com" rel="nofollow">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.