At the just-concluded Future Ready Summit held in Dar es Salaam, Philip Besiimire, Managing Director of Vodacom Tanzania, emerged as a leading voice advocating for the ethical and inclusive deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) across Africa and the Global South.

The high-level summit, co-hosted by Vodacom Tanzania, the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) convened policymakers, innovators, and private sector leaders to chart a sustainable path for AI adoption, with a strong focus on digital sovereignty, local innovation, and equitable growth.

In his keynote address, Besiimire emphasized the importance of contextual solutions in the AI era:

“AI is not a one-size-fits-all solution. At Vodacom, we are ensuring that technology is tailored to the realities of Tanzanians empowering farmers, expanding financial access, and connecting remote communities.”

Under his leadership, Vodacom Tanzania has rolled out transformative, AI-powered platforms such as M-Pesa, which now processes over $135 billion annually and leverages machine learning to provide credit and financial tools to unbanked populations. Additionally, the company’s M-Kulima initiative supports over three million smallholder farmers with AI-driven insights for pest management, soil health, and productivity enhancement.

Besiimire also spotlighted Vodacom’s infrastructural investments, with over TZS 156 billion injected in 2024 to expand digital access in underserved and rural areas, enabling real-time applications in agriculture, financial services, and education.

“Africa is not just a consumer of technology we’re co-creators,” he noted. “What we build today must empower tomorrow. At Vodacom, we are focused on building intelligent futures rooted in equity, resilience, and human potential.”

In addition to his role at Vodacom, Besiimire also serves as Chairman of the Tanzania Mobile Network Operations Association (TAMNOA), where he champions cross-sector collaboration, digital literacy, and policy frameworks that foster inclusive innovation.

The summit concluded with a shared commitment to leveraging AI as a force for good, with Vodacom Tanzania prominently positioned as a catalyst for ethical, people-centered technology across Africa.