At Vodacom Tanzania, our strategic mission is centered around ‘Inclusion for All,’ aligning closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at eradicating poverty and combating inequality by 2030. We’ve wholeheartedly embraced this mission as one of our core strategic pillars, with a focus on enhancing the lives of our customers by bridging the digital divide for individuals with disabilities.

Vodacom Tanzania is deeply committed to its role in accelerating the achievement of SDG no. 10 – reducing inequality. We believe that through leveraging our technology and services, we can expedite progress in this regard. To this end, we have embarked on a comprehensive journey to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to our financial and digital products; and receive the necessary support.

Our journey begins with raising awareness of the barriers faced by disabled consumers among our staff through webinars and close collaboration with societies of people with disabilities to understand the existing gaps and challenges. In addition, we have embraced inclusive design thinking in the development of all our products and services to ensure that the needs of disabled individuals are a central consideration.

Furthermore, our physical shops are designed with the utmost inclusivity in mind, featuring wheelchair ramps, priority desks for disabled customers, and access to sign language service advisors. We’ve extended this inclusive approach to our call centre with sign language video support for customers with hearing disabilities.

To better understand and support the disabled community, Vodacom has actively engaged with various disability societies to identify the barriers preventing them from accessing financial services and technology.

In collaboration with the GSMA, Vodacom is fully committed to the principles of advancing digital inclusion for persons with disabilities at every level of our organisation. We strive to understand their unique needs and deliver products and services that cater to the diverse requirements of disabled customers. Vodacom Tanzania remains dedicated to making a meaningful impact by fostering inclusivity and equality, ultimately contributing to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Leaving no one behind.

– Philip Besiimire, Managing Director, Vodacom Tanzania