In an interview with TechAfrica News at Gitex Africa 2024, Mounia Terhzaz, the Regional Director for Africa at Digital Virgo, offered an in-depth look into the company’s strategic efforts to boost digital connectivity and infrastructure across the continent. Emphasizing the significance of the African market, Terhzaz underscored the company’s expansive presence in 12 countries, including key regions such as West Africa, South Africa, and East Africa. With a dedicated team of over a hundred professionals in these areas, Digital Virgo is committed to driving forward alternative payment methods and mobile content services.
One of the major highlights of Terhzaz’s discussion was the role of alternative payment methods, particularly in regions like West Africa, where mobile payments account for approximately 40% of total transactions. She emphasized the critical role of direct carrier billing, a service managed by Digital Virgo for telecom operators, which reaches around 700 million mobile users. Terhzaz stressed the importance of such services in fostering economic growth and digital infrastructure development across the continent.
Alternative payment methods are crucial for Africa’s economic growth. In West Africa, for example, mobile payments represent around 40% of total transactions. Direct carrier billing, which we also manage for telecom operators, reaches about 700 million mobile users. The potential is enormous, and we are here to support telecom operators by bringing the right offers and connecting all players—merchants, telecom operators, and users—to benefit from high-quality content and services.
—Mounia Terhzaz, Regional Director for Africa, Digital Virgo.
Terhzaz further elaborated on Digital Virgo’s role in enhancing telecom operator services through advanced platforms and localized mobile services tailored to the unique needs of the African market. The company’s platform, which connects over 150 operators through a single API, simplifies the connection process and supports a wide range of content, including sports, music, and educational resources.
An essential aspect of Digital Virgo’s strategy involves connecting merchants with telecom operators, ensuring a seamless user experience and comprehensive ecosystem management. Terhzaz highlighted the company’s platform, which starts with a single API to facilitate connections, while also managing customer acquisition, care, and security.
The platform and technology start with a single API, simplifying connections. Beyond the platform, we manage the whole ecosystem, including customer acquisition, care, and security. Providing mobile services also involves addressing security and ensuring a seamless user experience.
Despite the diverse and complex regulatory environment across Africa, Terhzaz highlighted the importance of localization in delivering relevant and non-generic content that meets the specific needs of each market.
The main challenge is localization. Providing the right, non-generic content is essential. Delivering the same content across different countries can be a mistake. We focus on localizing content, whether it’s in sports, music, or other entertainment and educational verticals. Education is particularly crucial as we aim to digitalize and ease access to books and learning resources. Additionally, addressing regulatory challenges is critical, which requires a local presence to meet each country’s requirements.
—Mounia Terhzaz, Regional Director for Africa, Digital Virgo.
Terhzaz also outlined Digital Virgo’s key priorities, which include expanding its presence in Africa to reach more areas, such as East Africa, and delivering high-quality services to a broader range of users. She emphasized the company’s focus on supporting new trends like the second screen phenomenon in sports and TV and staying at the forefront of digital innovation.
By focusing on alternative payment methods, localized content, and innovative service delivery, Digital Virgo is well-positioned to support Africa’s ongoing digital transformation and economic growth.
