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Vodacom Group, a Johannesburg-based telecommunications giant, led by South African executive Shameel Joosub, has announced an investment of more than R500 million ($29 million) in its Limpopo network infrastructure for the 2026 financial year.
The new funding builds on last year’s R414 million ($24 million) commitment and brings Vodacom’s total investment in Limpopo’s radio and transmission network to R3.1 billion ($179 million) over the past seven years.
Lynn Benjamin, managing executive for Vodacom’s Limpopo region, said the company’s focus goes beyond improving signal coverage. “Our vision is to connect every person and community so that everyone has the opportunity to participate in the digital economy and share in its benefits,” she said. “By investing in advanced network infrastructure and affordable digital solutions, we’re laying the foundation for a more inclusive future.”
Expanding coverage and rural access
Of the R500 million set aside for the current year, R312 million ($18 million) will go toward expanding radio network coverage, with another R346 million ($20 million) planned for 2027. Transmission infrastructure will receive R194.2 million ($11.2 million) this year to strengthen coverage and capacity. The rollout includes more than 250 new 5G sites in areas such as Polokwane, Makhado, Thohoyandou, Greater Tzaneen Rural, and Ba-Phalaborwa Rural.
Benjamin said extending connectivity to remote communities remains a top priority. New towers will be deployed in towns like Giyani, Malamulele, and Musina, giving residents of the province’s far north access to high-speed data for the first time.
Investing in local business and affordability
Vodacom has also committed R40.3 million ($2.3 million) to support small and medium-sized enterprises between FY24 and FY26, part of its effort to strengthen Limpopo’s digital economy and create local jobs.
Over the past year, data prices have dropped by an average of 30 percent, and customer engagement on Vodacom’s personalized platforms has grown 11 percent. The company said these steps are helping more residents connect at lower costs.
To help more people own smartphones, Vodacom introduced the EasyToOwn program, which allows customers to buy devices for as little as R6.50 ($0.40) per day using airtime. Since launching in 2023, the initiative has grown 113 percent. During Mandela Month, the company offered 4G smartphones to 2G users for R67, helping thousands upgrade affordably.
“Our commitment to digital inclusion is about more than technology,” Benjamin said. “It’s about empowering people, fostering growth, and building a province where no one is left behind.”
Broader growth across Africa
Vodacom serves more than 210 million subscribers across Africa, including in Tanzania, Mozambique, Lesotho, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite currency pressures, the group continues to post growth. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, revenue rose 1.1 percent to R152.23 billion ($8.67 billion), up from R150.59 billion ($8.58 billion) a year earlier.
Joosub, who holds a 0.09 percent stake in Vodacom worth about $15 million, has steered the company through South Africa’s energy and infrastructure challenges while maintaining shareholder returns.
Last month, Vodacom signed a clean energy deal with SOLA Group to reduce reliance on the national grid. It also invested $40 million to improve rural connectivity in KwaZulu-Natal and another $27 million to modernize broadband in Cape Town, deepening its role in expanding digital access across South Africa.
