Vodafone (VOD.L), the world’s second-biggest mobile operator, has recruited Jean-Francois Van Boxmeer, the current CEO of brewer Heineken (HEIN.AS), to succeed Gerard Kleisterlee as chairman from November this year.

The British company said Van Boxmeer, a Belgian, will join as a non-executive director on July 28.

He has been Heineken’s CEO since 2005, presiding over a nearly threefold increase in its share price through a combination of strategic transactions and organic growth. He will hand over the role to Asia-Pacific chief, Dolf van den Brink, in June.

Van Boxmeer “is a very experienced businessman, with an in-depth knowledge of our geographic regions and he brings very strong sales and customer focus,” said Kleisterlee, who has been Vodafone’s chairman for nine years.
“I am greatly looking forward to working with (CEO) Nick (Read) and the executive team to drive forward Vodafone’s strategy, ensuring that we create significant value for all stakeholders,” Van Boxmeer said.

https://www.reuters.com/...&utm_source=twitter

Started with Peter Ndegwa from Diageo Europe to Safaricom.

Having a government as a 50%+ owner can be problematic unless they follow the Kenya model by selling a stake to the public.

Safaricom: 40% Vodafone/Vodacom ; 35% GoK ; 25% listed

NTSA Seeks Ban On Use Of Cash For Matatu Fares

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2020 9:00

Use of cash in public transport services is likely to be banned once the government approves a digital fare collection system that will also have the technical capability to contact trace passengers in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has advertised for bids inviting tech companies to install mobile software and web applications for the nearly 2 00,000 matatus in the country.

Once the system is in place, all passengers could be required to pay their fares via mobile money platforms, giving the government access to their identities and personal contact information that is needed to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, which has disrupted lives worldwide.

NTSA Director-General George Njao said through a tender notice the authority plans to introduce the mandatory use of cashless payments for all Public Service Vehicles (PSVs)”.

“The cashless system will also provide a platform for development of an effective contact tracing application to support the government effort in addressing the coronavirus pandemic.”

Contact tracing, a disease control method that traditionally relies on patients’ memories of their movements, identifies people they might have infected so they too can be isolated either for monitoring or treatment.

Firms are expected to submit their bids before June 16, an indication of the State agency’s plan to roll out the cashless payment platform.

That means companies have two weeks to submit their bids.

Source: The Business Daily Newspaper: https://www.businessdail...9816-ftl5d0z/index.html

The post is about a system to help "trace" people's movements.

The context is that The Blue Monster has a head start in winning the bid.

By the time we are done with tendering,evaluation of the bids,selection of the winner,testing,implementation of the system a vaccine would have been discovered.

What if there are 10 different systems that don't talk to each other?
Would I need EquiCard on some routes and SafCard on others?

I am wondering if they need to create a system at all. They can pass the law and say use mpesa or other mobile forms of payment already in place. Matatu owners have paybill or phone number for every matatu. Already digital payment are all over the country.

I like competition too. What I am asking is will one need EquiCard for some routes, SafCard for others, etc?

In the technology world, the wheel gets reinvented over and over. The question should be, will the new wheel render the current one irrelevant?

True. We need a neutral system that can accept money from any payer.

Perhaps a "national clearing house" that is publicly owned so we can also benefit. Payment via debit cards, mobile phone apps, credit cards, prepaid (debit) cards, etc.

BUT it is not as simple as that given the small amounts required. Check this out. https://tech.economictim...small-purchases/64551380