Global: Vodafone and Microsoft Forge $1.5 Billion Cloud and GenAI Partnership

Vodafone has entered into a groundbreaking agreement with Microsoft, pledging a $1.5 billion investment over the next decade to foster the development of innovative digital and financial services for both businesses and consumers.

Utilizing OpenAI technology on Microsoft’s Azure platform, Vodafone aims to bolster its newly established Internet of Things (IoT) business, providing scalable solutions. The telco also plans to leverage this partnership to enhance personalized customer services and broaden the reach of M-Pesa by introducing it as a cloud-native application.

As part of the collaboration, Microsoft will reciprocate by investing in Vodafone’s managed IoT connectivity platform, slated to become a distinct standalone business by April 2024.

Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, expressed optimism about the transformative potential of this new generation of AI, stating, “This new generation of AI will unlock massive new opportunities for every organization and every industry around the world. Together with Vodafone, we will apply the latest cloud and AI technology to enhance the customer experience of hundreds of millions of people and businesses across Africa and Europe, build new products and services, and accelerate the company’s transition to the cloud.”