Vodacom’s $548 billion mobile money business shows fintech is driving its future

Vodacom, a pan-African technology group, processed nearly $548 billion in mobile money transactions over the past year, signalling that the telecom giant’s future lies beyond phone calls and data bundles. In a trading update for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 , released on Monday, the company said its mobile money platforms, including Safaricom’s M-PESA, processed nearly $548 billion in transactions over the 12 months to June 30, 2026. The milestone comes weeks after Vodacom completed its acquisition of an effective 20% stake in Safaricom, increasing its shareholding to 55% and giving it controlling ownership of East Africa’s largest telecom operator. While the South African-headquartered operator built its business on voice and data, its future growth strategy is now firmly centred on digital financial services across the continent. Vodacom’s latest quarterly trading update reveals a company undergoing a profound transformation. The Safaricom transaction not only expands its geographic footprint but also accelerates its ambition to become a leading pan-African fintech player. According to the trading update, financial services now contribute more than 22% of Group service revenue