Vodacom Reports 18% Net Income Drop on Currency Pressures

AFRICAN STOCKS AND FINANCENovember 11, 2024 at 9:55 AM UTC

TLDR

Vodacom Group, Africa's largest phone company, reports an 18% decrease in net income for the first half of the year, citing currency devaluations in Ethiopia and Egypt as primary factors.
Currency challenges impact earnings in Ethiopia, with Vodacom experiencing a 1.1 billion rand hit due to changes in exchange rates.
Despite setbacks, Vodacom CEO emphasizes growth potential in markets and ongoing investments in data, content, fiber, and financial services in Egypt.

Vodacom Group, Africa’s largest phone company by market value, reported an 18% drop in net income for the first half of the year, primarily due to currency devaluations in Ethiopia and Egypt. The Johannesburg-based company’s net income fell to 6.84 billion rand ($388 million), and it reduced its interim dividend to 2.85 rand per share, marking the third consecutive cut.

Currency challenges have impacted African companies broadly, with Vodacom’s earnings in Ethiopia taking a 1.1 billion rand hit following a currency reform that ended the fixed exchange rate with the dollar. Despite the setbacks, Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub highlighted growth potential in these markets and ongoing investments in data, content, fiber, and financial services in Egypt.

Vodacom shares dropped 5.4% in early Johannesburg trading, marking their biggest intraday fall since January. The company aims to generate 25%-30% of its revenue from new services, including fintech, which already serves 83 million customers, positioning Vodacom as Africa’s largest fintech operator.

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Key Takeaways

Vodacom’s earnings highlight the ongoing impact of currency volatility on African markets, with Ethiopia’s currency reform and Egypt’s currency devaluation affecting profitability. However, the company remains committed to growth in these markets and expanding its fiber and fintech services, which are expected to contribute significantly to future revenues. While currency challenges persist, Vodacom’s focus on new digital and financial services reflects its strategy to diversify income streams amid regulatory and market pressures. This approach could help stabilize earnings as the currency environment becomes more favorable, positioning Vodacom for medium-term growth across its 200 million-strong customer base.

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