w w w . a F R I C a o u t l o o k m a g . C o m
A i r t e l t e l e c O M ( S e yc h e l l e S ) lt D Airtel Seychelles are proud to always be the first to bring new services to Africa
W W W . A F r i c A . A i r t e l . c O M / S e y c h e l l e S
A I R T E L
S E Y C H E L L E S
#01 innovation BRINGING
TO SEYCHELLES FIRST
Boasting exemplary customer service coupled with dedication to technological innovation, airtel Seychelles bring the latest technologies and data services straight to the user Writer Emily Jarvis Project Manager Donovan Smith
2
www.aFRICaoutlookmag.Com
T
E
C
H
N
O
L
O
G
Y
irtel Seychelles is a special member of the Bharti airtel family because the Seychelles operations became the tech giant’s first venture into africa 15 years ago. Since then, Seychelles has seen vast technological improvements and a whole array of new services moulded to suit the needs of the community; and no one man is prouder to have been a part of this change than airtel Seychelles’ current managing Director, amadou mahamat Dina. “Everything in airtel Seychelles is always a first. By this I mean we were the first to launch pre-paid mobile services, the first to bring in 3.75G data services in Seychelles and we are soon to launch 4g ltE services in the country– and we are proud to be the first to enter the mobile finance market in Seychelles with Airtel money,” he highlights. the company have come on leaps and bounds since entering the country and have expanded their footprint across all of Seychelles’ islands, ensuring that their services are available to everyone. “It is important to us that our services are available to all customers and are at an affordable price. whether our customer is corporate, an SmE’s or an individual, our services are available to all,” explains amadou Dina. Boasting the fastest Internet speeds in Africa - as per the broadband the testing company Ookla - Airtel Seychelles offer a wide range of communications services locally including pre-paid, post-paid, fixed line, ISP, mobile banking and much more. Supporting their growth, the company have received many awards and accolades for their dedications to innovation and customer needs, the most notable include: Best Product Innovation Award from the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SCCI); and Best Network Utilisation for Airtel in Africa across the airtel africa operations.
Launching New Product Lines many of the challenges for airtel Seychelles stem from rapid changes in communications
www.aFRICaoutlookmag.Com
3
A i r t e l
S e y c h e l l e S
BARCLAYS
B
arclays Bank (Seychelles) Limited was the first commercial bank to set up operations in Seychelles in 1959 and today remains the leading global bank in the Seychelles. Barclays has historically been a major partner in the country’s socio-economic development and was the first bank to venture into international banking in 2004. Barclays is today firmly entrenched in the financial services sector, with a leading position in international business banking.
technology, as amadou Dina further explains: “Airtel is always keen to get the latest technologies to market and as such, we are launching three new products to the mobile and internet markets. Firstly, the coming weeks will see the introduction of 4G ltE in Seychelles. this demonstrates that we welcome new technological developments. Secondly, we will be becoming first in the Seychelles finance market with the release of airtel money, which has already been established by airtel in the African markets to great success. In contrast to most other african countries, everyone in Seychelles has a bank account and is educated in basic banking practices, meaning airtel money will be a bonus for the country. Finally, we have interconnected the islands with fibre and are investing to cover the mainland with fibre in the next few years, so that everyone has access
4
to fast broadband. Right now, we only have a few kilometres of cable, so this will be a huge project for the entire country.” Currently, the mobile penetration rate in Seychelles stands at above 100 percent, an impressive figure which emphasises just how important telecommunications are island-wide. “This is in stark contrast to some of the other African markets, where penetration rates are as low as 20-30 percent. So this is also a big deal for us. accompanying this figure is mobile data usage, which has only reached 20 - 25 percent in Seychelles at present; clearly this holds huge opportunity and can be identified as an advantageous gap in the market for future growth,” comments amadou Dina, who hopes that airtel money will also play a significant role in achieving the full potential of mobile data use.
www.aFRICaoutlookmag.Com
our services are tailored to meet the requirements of non–resident commercial clients. the International Business Bank in Seychelles provides our international customers with a comprehensive range of sophisticated transactional and risk products and solutions, comprising cash management, fixed deposits, treasury and trade services that meet the specific needs of each client. our aim is to facilitate international trade and services, and protect the value of our customers’ assets and investments. Barclays Seychelles form parts of the Barclays africa group limited, one of Africa’s major financial services providers. we aspire to being the ‘Go to Bank’ in Africa and remain the number one bank in Seychelles, recognised as an innovative, customer-centric bank that delivers outstanding solutions and services, provides excellent careers for our people and contributes positively to the communities in which we live and work. Our skilled team of Relationship managers are dedicated to providing you with banking solutions that meet your requirements as well as providing professional personalized services to each and every client.
Tel +248 4383 939 Email seybdm@barclays.com
A i r t e l
S e y c h e l l e s
Securing Top Talent
In terms of further educating their own staff locally, Airtel provides all staff with the opportunity to explore new ways to expanding their horizons. “In Seychelles, we have all of the top talent within the company. We let them go to expos and events in order to expand their way of thinking and meet the Airtel standard of excellence.” Over the past few months, Airtel Seychelles have sent a few members of staff out to other countries in order to expose themselves to different African markets. “Indeed, when these people come back, they will bring new knowledge home with them.” Amadou Dina aims to continue this exchange programme in order to secure welltrained and market-aware staff by the end of the year.
In Seychelles, we have all of the top talent within the company. We let them go to expos and events in order to expand their way of thinking and meet the Airtel standard of excellence”
6
www.aFRICAoutlookmag.com
Airtel Premier Airtel Seychelles is an arm of Bharti Airtel that really directs its focus towards the customer, in terms of both service and experience. “We have a dynamic young team which offer 24/7 support to respond to customer needs. Plus we are the most affordable network in the country and we like to think of ourselves as the best,” affirms Amadou Dina. The company is further strengthening their customer-orientated focus in Seychelles with the advent of a Premier Lounge for valued customers, which is another first for Seychelles in the telecom world. “What is Premier? Premier is identified by a customer who exemplifies being premier. In Airtel, this is for customers who have been with us for a long time and who expect the best service. The premier customer has a fast track for any interaction with the company, priority routing on services on the network plus earns loyalty rewards in terms of offerings like Priority Pass – a services that allows our customers access to over 600 Airport lounges across the world,” Amadou Dina further explains.
t
e
c
h
N
O
l
O
G
y
Amadou Mahamat Dina, Managing Director
We always listen to the customer and are here to improve in order for them to enjoy the best customer service ever. Coupled with our dedication to technological innovation, we bring the latest technologies and data services straight to the user”
Supporting Seychelles on a monthly basis, airtel Seychelles runs a CSR project in order to reach out to the lives of ordinary people, whilst also nurturing undiscovered talents. their current community focuses are on youth, education, health and sport. under the education banner, the company have adopted a disabled school in Seychelles in its entirety including the provision of teachers, supplies and refurbishment. moreover, airtel Seychelles are an official sponsor of Carnival International. Carnival International de Victoria is a joint partnership between airtel and the Seychelles tourism board. “It’s one of the must do things on the
Seychelles calendar. Seychelles carnival parade of the island’s 2014 Carnival International De Victoria and the 26 International Delegations with the 151 members of the International Press. It is a melting pot of cultures and attracts a lot of tourists to Seychelles,” comments amadou Dina. In terms of supporting health and sport infrastructures, airtel Seychelles take part in Airtel Rising Stars and hold airtel Seychelles national Cup, which amadou Dina was keen to highlight: “We give young people the opportunity to take part in the football cup to win a trophy. airtel Rising Stars is a youth football initiative undertaken by airtel africa. this programme, launched in
2011, is a soccer talent programme that aims to focus on identifying and nurturing budding soccer talent from the grassroots onto an international stage. two young footballers were selected from Seychelles and went to tanzania to attend the manchester united Football Clinic.” with a proud and positive attitude, amadou Dina is sure that airtel have a secure future in Seychelles. “we always listen to the customer and are here to improve in order for them to enjoy the best customer service ever. Coupled with our dedication to technological innovation, we bring the latest technologies and data services straight to the user,” he concludes.
www.aFRICaoutlookmag.Com
7
E n q u iries Tel (UK): +44 (0) 1603 559 151 Tel (SA): +27 (0) 21 527 0053 ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel (UK): +44 (0) 1603 559 152 matthew.bone@outlookpublishing.com
www.africaoutlookmag.com
AIRTEL TELECOM (SEYCHELLES) LTD PO Box 1358, Providence Industrial Estate, Mahè, Seychelles Tel: +248 460 06 09 Email: caretouch@airtel.sc
www.africa.airtel.com/seychelles