By Business Insider Reporter
Telecommunications giant Vodacom Group has once again secured continental acclaim after being named Africa’s Top Employer for 2026 by the Top Employers Institute, extending its winning streak to three consecutive years.
The recognition places Vodacom among a select group of organisations globally that have demonstrated world-class people and workplace practices.
The Top Employers Institute certification programme evaluates companies across 20 rigorous human-resources categories, including people strategy, talent acquisition, learning and development, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and leadership.
In the latest assessment cycle, Vodacom delivered an exceptional performance, achieving one of the highest overall scores recorded in the programme.
The accolade reflects the Group’s sustained investment in employee experience, digital skills development and inclusive workplace culture across its African footprint.
Group Chief Executive Officer Shameel Joosub (pictured) said the hat-trick victory underscores the company’s long-term commitment to building a purpose-driven and future-ready workforce.
“Being recognised as Africa’s Top Employer for the third year running is a powerful validation of our people-first strategy and the culture we continue to nurture across our markets,” he said.
The certification covered several of the Group’s operating companies, highlighting strong and consistent performance across countries. Vodacom Tanzania, Vodacom South Africa, and Vodacom Mozambique all achieved scores above 99 percent, while Safaricom – part of the Vodacom Group – ranked first in its respective markets.
Industry analysts say the recognition strengthens Vodacom’s employer brand at a time when competition for digital and technology talent across Africa is intensifying.
The company has in recent years scaled up programmes focused on employee wellbeing, leadership development, ethical artificial intelligence and flexible working arrangements.
For Tanzania, the strong showing by Vodacom Tanzania reinforces the subsidiary’s position among the country’s leading employers of choice and highlights the growing importance of progressive workplace practices in attracting and retaining skilled professionals.
In Tanzania, the Top Employers cohort continues to be largely dominated by banking, telecommunications, and multinational industrial firms – sectors where formal human capital systems and HR maturity are typically most advanced. This pattern underscores the strong link between scale, regulatory pressure, and sustained investment in people practices.
Beyond Vodacom Tanzania, the other locally operating organisations that earned the recognition include NMB Bank Plc, CRDB Bank Plc, Yas Tanzania (Honora Tanzania PLC), DHL Tanzania Limited, Barrick Gold Corporation – Tanzania, and Coca‑Cola Kwanza Ltd.
Together, these firms highlight the growing emphasis among leading employers in Tanzania on structured talent development, workplace culture, and employee value proposition as key drivers of competitiveness.
The Top Employers Institute annually certifies organisations that meet globally benchmarked HR standards across more than 100 countries. Achieving the continental No. 1 ranking for three straight years signals not only consistency but also continuous improvement in Vodacom’s people strategy. With the Vision 2030 roadmap placing human capital at the centre of its growth ambitions, Vodacom’s latest accolade is expected to further enhance its competitive edge in Africa’s fast-evolving telecommunications and digital services landscape.
TOP EMPOYER AFRICA 2026
Vodacom Group has been recognised as Africa’s Top Employer for 2026 by the Top Employers Institute, marking the third consecutive year the telecoms giant has secured the continental title.
More Info: Group and country performance
Vodacom Group has been recognised as Africa’s Top Employer for 2026 by the Top Employers Institute, marking the third consecutive year the telecoms giant has secured the continental title.
The certification covered multiple operating markets, demonstrating consistency across the Group:
- Vodacom Mozambique: 99.96% (highest in the Group)
- Vodacom South Africa: 99.88%
- Vodacom Tanzania: 99.76%
- Safaricom Kenya and Ethiopia: ranked first in their countries
These results reinforce Vodacom’s ability to maintain strong employee-experience standards across diverse African markets.
