Vodacom Group is expanding services designed for Deaf and hard-of-hearing customers across its eight African markets, and is urging governments to recognise national sign languages officially, TechAfrica News reported. The announcement coincided with the International Week of Deaf People (21 to 27 September).
What is already in place
- South Africa: a relay contact centre with agents who use South African Sign Language, and a free Vodacom 112 emergency app that lets people with communication barriers reach ambulance, police, fire and rescue services.
- Kenya: Safaricom has built the assistALL mini-app into the M-PESA app, giving on-demand sign language interpretation.
- Tanzania: a contact centre with sign language support.
- Egypt: Vodafone Egypt offers a dedicated prepaid plan and sign language customer service.
Inside the company, Vodacom has added a sign language font to Microsoft 365 in South Africa and created a 12-module sign language course with Deaf educators.
A call to governments
Vodacom says it has been working with the African Union to encourage member states to strengthen accessibility laws and to recognise national sign languages. “Africa’s digital transformation cannot be regarded as inclusive if people still encounter barriers when they try to use the services that are increasingly shaping everyday life,” said Ayman Essam, Vodacom Group’s chief external affairs officer. The company will hold its annual Accessibility Conference in Cairo on 9 November 2026.
Why it matters
As banking, healthcare booking and government services move onto phones, customer support that only works by voice call shuts out millions of people. Nigerian telecom operators and banks have made few comparable commitments so far, even though the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 requires public services to be accessible.
Source: TechAfrica News.
