124: Chapter 124 Major Infrastructure Projects: A New Opportunity

Mr. Adebayo turned around immediately.

"Mr. Van Dijk, you spoke about positions earlier, saying that we are all Africans. But I must tell you, I have my own position as well."

He glared at Van Dijk for a moment, then said word by word: "One must also have a position in one's professional role. I am a corporate executive at Transsion, and Mr. Shen has shown me great favor. I cannot betray the company. Furthermore, I have a heart for China; this is no joke. Without Mr. Shen, I would have nothing of what I have today. One must not forget their roots."

He said the last few words in broken Chinese.

Although it was laughable, it made Van Dijk feel a sense of discomfort.

Aren't corporate executives, or professional managers, all supposed to work for whoever pays them? How does Transsion... The opportunity to invest in these high-quality assets seems harder than imagined.

After Mr. Adebayo left, Van Dijk stood by the window for a long time.

He recalled ten years ago, when he made the decision to invest in Tencent; the entire industry was pessimistic, believing they hadn't found a profitable business model and that continuing to burn cash would only lead to losses, and that they would go bankrupt once new funding dried up.

But later, Tencent became the king of the Chinese internet.

It used to be them invading China with capital, but now it is China invading them with capital.

Along with the capital, they also brought culture; they are even more terrifying!

Van Dijk suddenly realized that the opponent he had encountered this time was not so simple. Transsion was not cultivating employees in Africa; they were cultivating believers.

The next day, Van Dijk flew back to Cape Town.

He immediately began writing a progress report: "The equity structure of companies like AfriLink is very clear, with Huaxin Investment holding a 70% stake across the board, and management holding 30%... Huaxin Technology is the actual controller but does not interfere with company decisions; they are truly high-quality assets. These businesses are deeply bound to Transsion Smartphones, and any investment must be approved by the actual controller: Shen Fei himself."

The project summary was long. In the final line, Van Dijk suggested: Consider reducing some Tencent shares to exchange for an opportunity to enter.

At the same time, shift towards establishing broader strategic cooperation with the Chuan Yin Group, including but not limited to co-investing in African internet infrastructure, jointly developing digital content, and...

He thought for a long time: "Jointly cultivating new enterprises."

Yangcheng, Transsion Headquarters.

Shen Fei looked at the report sent by Huang Tianya and laughed out loud.

However, with the existence of the loyalty system, he believed Mr. Adebayo's words.

After all, this was his first loyal follower!

"Mr. Adebayo's words are a bit grandiose," he said. "A heart for China—people hearing that would think I brainwashed him."

Huang Tianya did not laugh; as for the favor of recognition, it was only right.

"He is not wrong, either. The African internet is indeed being built by Africans. It's just that most of them are Africans following Transsion, but some people's hearts have started to drift."

Shen Fei nodded and put the report aside.

"What do you think about Naspers?"

Huang Tianya thought for a moment: "They won't give up. The African internet market is too big a cake, and they want a seat at the table. Some people do have ambition and want to break free from our control. According to the information we've received, some people have already met with Van Dijk in private."

"Then let them on," Shen Fei said, "but not now."

"Wait until AfriLink's registered users reach over 80 million, and wait for the transaction volume of those payment apps to double again. By then, their valuation can double again, and we can talk then. Naspers can also cough up more meat... To snatch things, one has to spend money."

In Lagos, inside Mr. Adebayo's office, Mr. Adebayo, having returned to the company, immediately reported his previous work to Shen Fei.

"Mr. Shen, I have met with Van Dijk, and I said what needed to be said."

"You've worked hard. For this year's annual meeting, come to Yangcheng. Prepare a work summary report in advance; there will be time for your presentation at the annual meeting."

Mr. Adebayo was completely thrilled. The company annual meeting! A speech! This was truly bringing Honor to one's ancestors.

He stared at the photo on the wall; it was a snapshot of him and Shen Fei standing by a street phone stall when Shen Fei first came to Nigeria the year before last.

The photo was blurry; one could only tell that Shen Fei was dressed brightly and beautifully, while he was wearing a wrinkled shirt, but both of them were smiling.

Now, he was also a true success, a multinational corporate executive.

January 19, 2010.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology officially released a brand-new announcement: To accelerate the development of our country's mobile communications industry, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has officially launched a direct investment of 280 billion into 3G, to build 3G communication facilities.

280 billion immediately caused huge changes throughout the industry.

The scale of the Chinese mobile phone market in 2009 was only 300 billion.

This meant that the country was going to pour an amount equivalent to an entire year's worth of the mobile phone market into 3G to promote faster market development.

Almost immediately, the three major operators simultaneously announced a reduction in 3G tariff packages, with an average reduction of 30%.

China Mobile's TD-SCDMA tariff dropped to as low as 18 yuan per month.

This news immediately hit the trending lists of major websites.

#China Mobile 3G tariff only 18 yuan#

#280 billion massive infrastructure project#

"18 yuan to use 3G? Is that real or fake?"

"Transsion, Huawei, ZTE, are the new Smartphones ready?"

"The wave of phone replacements is coming; manufacturers need to be smart."

"But this package is still not as good as China Unicom's. When will they release a Honor Youth Edition? Longer talk time, but mainly I want data!"

[Wang Jianzhou: No one can take my position!]

Yangcheng, Transsion Headquarters conference room.

Shen Fei sat in the main seat, and the projector in front of him was playing the video of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology press conference.

On the screen, the leader of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology was still reading the document.

But Shen Fei had already withdrawn his gaze and looked at the dozen or so people present.

"Did you hear that?"

No one spoke, but there was a glimmer of excitement in everyone's eyes.

The beneficiaries of the massive infrastructure project were certainly equipment manufacturers like Huawei and ZTE, but terminal manufacturers would also be able to get a piece of the pie.

"280 billion poured in, 3G tariffs reduced by 30%."

Shen Fei walked from the table to the whiteboard and wrote down two numbers: 2009 Smartphone sales 32 million. 2010 forecast: ?

He turned around.

"Who wants to guess?"

Huang Tianya spoke up: "60 million."

Big Mouth Yu was not there, but people from Huawei terminals were present. A vice president continued, saying: "Double it and a bit more, 70 million."

Shen Fei still shook his head. He picked up the pen himself and wrote a number after the question mark.

One hundred million.

Someone in the conference room gasped softly.

"32 million last year, 100 million this year—that's more than a three-fold increase?"

Someone couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Shen, this growth rate..."

Shen Fei interrupted him.

"In 2007, when Apple released its product, global Smartphone sales were 120 million units; in 2008, 160 million; in 2009, 200 million. The Chinese market accounts for a little over 10% of the global total, but the growth rate is faster. This year, the growth rate of the Chinese market will reach three times that."