Vodacom Group

Vodacom Group

Vodacom Group commits to advancing digital inclusion for persons with disabilities by addressing barriers to access, affordability and usability, and by embedding accessibility across its products, services and workplace.

About Vodacom Group

Vodacom Group is a leading, purpose-led African connectivity, digital and financial services company. Headquartered in South Africa, the Group has grown its operations to include Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Lesotho, Egypt and Kenya and Ethiopia through its associate holding in Safaricom. Vodacom serves more than 210 million customers across these markets, with its mobile networks reaching a population of over 500 million people.

As part of its vision to connect the next 100 million Africans to the digital economy, Vodacom is committed to driving digital and financial inclusion and ensuring equitable access to technology for all.

Disability Inclusion Initiatives

Vodacom’s purpose of connecting everyone for a better future underpins its long-standing commitment to accessibility and inclusion. The company recognises persons with disabilities as not only valued employees, but also consumers who deserve to interact with its brand on equal terms.

By endorsing the GSMA Principles for Driving the Digital Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, Vodacom has reinforced its commitment to closing the digital divide through accessible, inclusive solutions.

“Our accessibility agenda is proudly led by a woman with lived experience of disability, ensuring authenticity and relevance in our approach. We highly value partnerships with Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, enabling dialogue with the community—not about it—reflecting the slogan: “Nothing About Us Without Us.”


At Vodacom Group we remain steadfast in our mission to expand digital inclusion for people with disabilities across Africa. The journey continues, and we know there’s still much to be done to ensure no one is left behind.”


A middle-aged man with short dark hair smiles, standing with his arms resting on the back of a chair. He wears a light blue dress shirt and a dark pinstripe vest. His left hand wears a black watch. The background is plain grey.

– Shameel Joosub, Chief Executive Officer, Vodacom Group
(Executive Sponsor: Accessibility and Disability Inclusion)


Key disability inclusion initiatives to date:
  • Accessibility embedded in strategy: Vodacom’s Empowering People pillar champions accessibility and inclusion across its operations and services.
  • Accessible products and services: Vodacom has developed offerings tailored to the needs of persons with hearing, mobility and visual impairments, enabling more meaningful participation in the digital society.
  • Inaugural Accessibility Conference: In May 2024, Vodacom hosted its first Accessibility Conference, convening persons with disabilities, government representatives, academia and ICT organisations to identify and address systemic barriers to inclusion.
  • Inclusive leadership and partnerships: Vodacom’s accessibility agenda is led by a woman with lived experience of disability. The Group works closely with Organisations for Persons with Disabilities to ensure meaningful dialogue and representation, embodying the principle, “Nothing About Us Without Us.”
  • Recognition for leadership: Vodacom’s efforts were acknowledged with an InspiringFifty award at the AfricaTech Festival, celebrating the organisation’s impact on disability inclusion in technology.
Planned disability inclusion interventions:

Building on its momentum, Vodacom Group is continuing to scale its efforts to ensure digital technologies are inclusive by design and accessible to all. The following planned initiatives will further strengthen the Group’s commitment to disability inclusion across Africa:

  • Africa Accessibility Conference: Vodacom will host its second Africa Accessibility Conference later this year (2025), continuing to promote the digital inclusion of persons with disabilities in Africa.
  • Strategic partnerships: The Group will establish strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to develop and implement innovative solutions that respond to the real needs of consumers with disabilities.
  • Staff training and awareness: Ongoing awareness-raising sessions and training initiatives will be conducted across the organisation to embed a culture of inclusion and ensure employees are equipped to support accessibility goals.

Explore resources developed in collaboration with Vodacom Group.

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