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Kirtan Sita Digital Growth Partner – Vodacom Business

A recent Vodacom Business executive roundtable focused on vertical industries that have frontline workers, such as security, logistics, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, mining and facilities. These types of organisations have the majority of their employees away from desks, without email addresses and thus disconnected from business-critical tools, communication, information, feedback, and systems.

Research indicates that 80% of the world’s working population are frontline workers yet 75% are disconnected. This disconnection is estimated to cost businesses €450 and €500 billion each year. Kirtan Sita, Vodacom Business’ Digital Growth Partner, says: “Digital transformation has evolved from a corporate ambition to a human imperative. Today, the conversation has shifted. It’s no longer just about enabling systems, but about enabling people. Nowhere is that more critical than with the essential frontline workforce, individuals who, for too long, have remained excluded from the digital narrative, simply because they don’t sit at desks or have corporate email addresses.”

“What we’re witnessing now is a groundswell of recognition that digital inclusion is a business and social imperative. Organisations that prioritise inclusive connectivity are seeing tangible benefits, such as streamlined communication, faster decision-making, real-time feedback loops and, importantly, a renewed sense and culture of belonging among employees. We’ve seen this play out across clients who have embraced Vodacom Business’s first mobile Employee Engagement Platform, where tools like USSD, data-light mobile sites and apps on smartphones have enabled them to reach every worker, regardless of device, role or geography.

“This impact goes beyond communication. It’s also about development. Frontline-focused solutions have started to close the industrial skills gap by delivering bite-sized learning, safety prompts, and coaching nudges – directly into the hands of workers in the field. That kind of empowerment creates a workforce that’s not just connected, but capable and confident. Digital inclusion reduces risk, improves employee safety, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency, and affords the organisation the ability to reach all or targeted employees 24/7, whether in a crisis or for daily communication.”

As Vodacom Business - Digital Co-X Growth Partner Head, in his role Sita follows an eco-system-led approach, partnering with organisations, working closely with leadership teams to understand their operational pain points, co-design inclusive technology strategies, and implement solutions that are practical, scalable and human-centred.

“Whether it’s rethinking digital onboarding for retail staff, or streamlining compliance communication for miners, we focus on what works for real people in real environments.

“Our roundtable made it clear that connectivity is no longer a fringe discussion. Executives are acutely aware of the urgency to unlock the value of their entire workforce. What resonated most was the shared belief that engaged frontline employees are more than productive – they are resilient, loyal, and deeply invested in the business outcomes. The question is now, ‘how fast can we scale?’. “That said, meaningful transformation doesn’t come without its challenges. While data costs and device limitations are often cited, the more persistent barriers are deeper. There’s fragmented internal systems, a lack of integrated change management, and fear that frontline tech adoption might stall. These are not small hurdles, but they are solvable, especially when tackled through partnership. “That is why Vodacom Business takes an ecosystem-led approach — combining our proprietary platforms with best-of-breed technology partners to ensure every solution is fit for purpose, future-ready, and vendor-agnostic. It’s about inclusion, empowerment, and impact.

“As we collectively shape a more connected future, our focus is on delivering measurable outcomes — advancing ESG goals, supporting economic transformation, and elevating the role of essential workers through human-centric technology. Because when frontline employees feel seen, heard, and supported, organisations don’t just perform better — they become extraordinary.