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ES25_IT_GVG_James Claude

SPAIN - Telecoms & IT

James G. Claude

CEO, Global Voice Group, Madrid

Bio

James Gabriel Claude has been at the helm of Global Voice Group for over half a decade, a firm that delivers ICT and RegTech solutions to public sector entities. With a master’s degree in management from Boston University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Telematics Engineering from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Mr. Claude has nearly two decades of experience in the IT field. Due to his profound technological expertise and leadership acumen, Mr. Claude was named Chief Technology Officer of Global voice Group in 2012. In this role, he demonstrated exceptional proficiency until he was promoted to CEO of the company in 2018.

"With 25 years of experience, primarily in Africa, our focus has been direct collaboration with governments."
TBY talks to James G. Claude, CEO of Global Voice Group, Madrid, about data governance, financial inclusion in Africa, and goals for the coming year.
Global Voice Group collaborates with government institutions on data governance. Can you share the evolution of GVG and its key milestones over the years?

With 25 years of experience primarily in Africa, our focus has been direct collaboration with governments. We specialize in adaptable regulatory technology solutions, originally aiming to bridge the connectivity gap between developing and developed regions in Africa. In the early 2000s, Africa’s telecoms sector saw transformation with market liberalization and the emergence of companies like MTN and Ertel. Recognizing the need for regulatory support in this evolving landscape, we pioneered technology solutions for telecom regulators, anticipating their increasing role. This shift positioned us as leaders in regulatory technology well before the term regtech was coined. Telecoms, especially mobile telephony, became essential, driving innovations like M-PESA in Kenya and IoT services. We shifted our focus from telecoms to assisting revenue authorities, acknowledging central banks’ needs in the telecom-driven tech era. This strategic shift in 2000 marked a pivotal moment, with our regulatory technologies now deployed in over 20 countries across Africa, including Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Senegal, Liberia, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. Africa was our launchpad, leveraging opportunities and accumulated expertise to specialize and excel in developing country markets. Our commitment to technology and African markets defines Global Voice Group. Today, data is vital for regulatory authorities. Our solutions enable them to access data proactively, using technologies employed by service providers, enhancing sector oversight and decision-making. Additionally, our tools support revenue mobilization, empowering revenue authorities to gather market insights efficiently. This is crucial for improving tax collection in African countries. Our contributions have elevated the knowledge and expertise of regulatory bodies and central banks over the past decade, fostering a deeper understanding of key sector dynamics.

What efforts are you making to address the large informal market in Africa?

The definition of financial inclusion has evolved beyond simply having a bank account. In Africa, mobile money has transformed the landscape, allowing the informal sector to access savings, loans and repayments directly through mobile platforms. Our role has been to support financial and telecoms regulators in creating an environment that bridges the gap between informal and formal financial services. By ensuring proper KYC and facilitating government initiatives, we enable individuals to participate in the economy, formalize transactions and interact with government services. This broadens financial inclusion beyond traditional banking and into practical, everyday transactions, contributing to the formalization of the economy and improving government-citizen interactions. We collaborate with various government agencies, including National Communications Authorities and Financial Intelligence Units, directly assisting in overseeing mobile money activities. In many countries, mobile money is booming, aiding financial inclusion but also posing risks if mismanaged. Our regulatory technology solutions help ensure proper oversight, preventing issues like inflation by verifying that virtual currencies are backed by real money. This ensures the stability of the financial system and safeguards against potential economic disruptions.

Beyond government agencies, do you have any significant partnerships in these countries?

We have three key partnerships. First, as long-standing members of ITU, we engage with regulators and the private sector, contributing to standardization efforts. Additionally, we collaborate closely with the Smart Africa Alliance, based in Kigali, which aims to unify Africa’s digital economy across over 25 member countries and numerous private sector entities. Our involvement aids in shaping regulatory frameworks for greater harmonization, fostering a larger African market akin to the European model. Smart Africa’s initiatives, including intra-African trade promotion and digital integration, align with our mission. We are proud to support its endeavors, offering expertise and capacity building across various sectors. Another important partnership is with GPSD, collaborating closely with the UN to use telecom and financial data for statistical analysis. This enables countries’ statistics bureaus to monitor key indicators and trends. For instance, during COVID-19, we initiated a project with Botswana to track mobility patterns, aiding in analyzing anonymized data to support better informed government decisions. Our solutions were instrumental in monitoring confinement measures and assisting vulnerable populations. In Ghana, our rapid data analysis facilitated targeted financial assistance to those most in need, demonstrating the practical impact of our collaboration.

What was the strategic rationale behind consolidating technical offices and staff in Spain?

Global Voice Group is an international company with a strong African identity, drawing knowledge from global talent pools. With team members across different continents, our presence in Spain offers a wealth of ICT expertise, which has nurtured our technical department’s know how. Our diverse team, blending insights from developed and developing countries, enriches our value proposition to clients.

How do you face challenges when working in Africa, such as political and financial instability in some cases?

Operating in Africa requires a balance of long-term vision and agile adaptation. Each country presents unique challenges, necessitating a tailored approach informed by political landscape, stability, and risk assessment. Diversifying investments across multiple countries helps mitigate risks associated with instability. By thoroughly understanding the local context and considering various factors such as project duration and potential returns, companies can make informed investment decisions aligned with their risk tolerance. Our business is centered on managing sensitive data securely. With advanced technology, we ensure data privacy and integrity, collaborating closely with clients, government agencies and organizations, particularly during crises such as Ebola outbreaks in Liberia and Guinea and the COVID pandemic. Africa is diverse, and it is crucial for companies to understand each country’s unique context and opportunities.

What are Global Voice Group’s key goals and priorities for the coming year, especially in terms of expanding its global reach?

We operate in a niche market where technology intersects with various industries. Our focus is two-fold: expanding our client base within countries we already operate by identifying government agencies and regulators that can benefit from our solutions, and innovating to adapt to local realities. AI is a major focus for us, and we are integrating AI into our research and development process to ensure our solutions remain relevant and safe. Our goal is to continue growing our client base globally while integrating new technologies like AI into our offerings. Nigeria, Ethiopia, and DRC present a compelling investment opportunity with their vibrant market and strategic vision for addressing key challenges, particularly in security, financial inclusion, and investment in ICT. East African countries like Uganda and Kenya, with their burgeoning talent pool, offer promising prospects, with Nairobi emerging as a hub for tech innovation. Angola seeks to diversify its economy and leverage ICT for sustainable growth. We are actively exploring opportunities to support governments of these countries in their diversification efforts.

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