Vodacom Group Reports 11% Revenue Growth to R65.8 Billion in First Half of 2025

Vodacom Group has posted strong financial results for the first half of its 2025 financial year, with group service revenue rising nearly 11% year-on-year to R65.8 billion (about US$3.8 billion). The growth reflects solid performance across key markets, including South Africa, Egypt, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Vodacom’s total customer base grew to 223.2 million, reinforcing its expanding footprint across Africa.

Resilient Growth Across Core Markets

Group CEO Shameel Joosub attributed the results to Vodacom’s operational strength and strategic flexibility.

“The encouraging revenue trend highlighted in the Vodacom Group’s performance in the first three months of the financial year continued into the second quarter,” Joosub said. “This has contributed to a strong set of interim results while underscoring the resilience and agility of our business.”

In South Africa, Vodacom’s largest market, service revenue reached R31.7 billion (approximately US$1.83 billion). The performance was driven by contract mobile growth and increased diversification beyond traditional mobile services.

Revenue from contract customers rose 3.7% to R12.5 billion (about US$722 million), supported by a price adjustment in March 2025. However, prepaid mobile revenue declined by 1.6% to R13.2 billion (US$763 million), as consumers faced rising economic pressures and intensified market competition.

Despite this, data consumption remained a key growth driver. Vodacom reported 34.3 million smart devices on its network, with average monthly data usage per device climbing to 5.9 GB.

Egypt Powers Regional Performance

Vodacom’s operations in Egypt delivered exceptional results, contributing R17.6 billion (about US$1.02 billion) in service revenue—representing 26.8% of the Group’s total. The Egyptian customer base grew to 53.1 million, while average revenue per user (ARPU) surged 36.2%, signaling strong demand and successful monetization strategies.

Elsewhere in Africa, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) also performed well. Service revenue in Tanzania rose to R6.1 billion (US$353 million), while the DRC delivered nearly R7 billion (US$405 million). Vodacom also confirmed a planned US$100 million investment in Tanzania, focused on strengthening infrastructure and supporting long-term market growth.

Strategic Milestones Strengthen Vodacom’s Position

Alongside its financial achievements, Vodacom reached two major strategic milestones during the reporting period:

1. Resolution of the 17-year “Please Call Me” legal dispute, ending one of the most prolonged court battles in South Africa’s telecom history.

2. Regulatory approval for the acquisition of Maziv, paving the way for a significant infrastructure expansion following a three-year regulatory process.

These developments mark a turning point for Vodacom, enabling the company to consolidate its leadership in connectivity, accelerate fiber and 5G rollout, and deepen digital inclusion efforts across Africa.

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Outlook

With its growing customer base, expanding infrastructure, and new investments across the continent, Vodacom is positioned to strengthen its status as a leading digital services provider in Africa. The company’s focus on innovation, affordability, and financial inclusion will continue to drive its next phase of growth.