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Vodacom revenue rises as customer numbers swell in SA

Johannesburg - Vodacom's [JSE:VOD] first-quarter sales gained 3.9% as Africa’s largest carrier by market value invested in its network and increased sales of smartphones in South Africa.

The unit of Vodafone reported revenue of R20.7bn, propelled by a 15% rise in data sales. The Johannesburg-based company added 2.3 million customers in South Africa and 280 000 customers in its four other markets, bringing the total to 70 million people, it said in a statement on Thursday.

“The solid performance the group delivered in 2017,continued into the first quarter of the current financial year,” said CEO Shameel Joosub.

“Although the international operations have turned the corner, currency volatility is still negatively impacting translation of these results.”

Vodacom, about 70% owned by Newbury, England-based Vodafone, is seeking to grow in the continent in partnership with Kenya’s Safaricom, in which it agreed to buy a 35% stake from its parent company.

READ: Vodacom buys R36.7bn Safaricom stake in Kenya

Vodacom trails cross-town rival MTN [JSE:MTN] in terms of total subscribers, though is the market leader in South Africa.

The shares have gained 15% this year, valuing the company at R261bn.

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