Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, recently engaged in high-profile discussions with leading figures from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington, D.C. The meetings aimed to showcase Jazz’s transformative role in Pakistan’s digital and financial sectors and to explore the company’s broader global ambitions.
The delegation, which included Aamir Ibrahim alongside VEON Group Co-Founder Augie K. Fabela II, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and VEON’s Group Director of Corporate Affairs Marine Babayan, presented Jazz’s evolving ServiceCo model to IMF and World Bank representatives. This model illustrates Jazz’s transition from a traditional mobile operator to an innovative tech conglomerate.
During the discussions, Aamir Ibrahim provided a detailed overview of Jazz’s expansion strategy, highlighting the company’s shift into software, analytics, and data centers. This strategic move is designed to position Jazz as a global technology leader, enhance Pakistan’s IT export capabilities, and attract international investors. By establishing operations in favorable jurisdictions, Jazz aims to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) and generate dollarized income for Pakistan.
“This transformation reflects our commitment to continually adapt to our customers’ changing needs,” said Aamir Ibrahim. “By leveraging specialized expertise and fostering innovation, we aim to enhance our agility, focus on key business areas, and drive significant growth.”
Aamir also emphasized the pivotal role of Jazz’s fintech and digital platforms in advancing Pakistan’s digital economy. He provided insights into JazzCash, Pakistan’s largest financial services platform, which has grown to serve 44 million users, including 30% women. JazzCash reported a substantial Gross Transaction Value of PKR 7.4 trillion for the second quarter of 2024.
In addition to JazzCash, Aamir highlighted Jazz’s other digital ventures, including Tamasha, the company’s entertainment streaming service. Tamasha boasts 18 million monthly active users and offers a range of content, from live TV and on-demand shows to live sports events.
Garaj, Jazz’s cloud computing solution, was also a focal point of the discussion. Supporting 98 of the top 100 companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), Garaj plays a significant role in Pakistan’s data sovereignty objectives. Additionally, SIMOSA, Jazz’s self-care app formerly known as JazzWorld, has become the leading lifestyle app on Google Play, with over 18 million monthly active users.
The delegation’s meetings highlighted VEON’s global and local efforts to enhance digital infrastructure, underscoring the importance of these advancements for economic growth. The discussions reaffirmed VEON’s dedication to investing in connectivity and digital services as a cornerstone of its strategy to drive digital transformation.
The meetings with the IMF and World Bank served as a platform to emphasize Jazz’s commitment to shaping the future of Pakistan’s digital landscape while also making a substantial impact on the global stage.
This engagement underscores Jazz’s role not just as a leading telecom operator, but as a transformative force in the technology sector, aligning with broader economic and digital goals.