Technology

Bharti Airtel Buys Millicom Operations in Rwanda

By Joseph Lubandi

Posted on December 19, 2017

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After news of their alleged possible exit from the Rwandan market a week ago, Bharti Airtel has rather bounced back with a bang and has silenced critics with their major upgrade in Rwanda. In the latest from Rwanda, Millicom announced today that it has signed an agreement for the sale of its Rwanda operations to subsidiaries of Bharti Airtel limited.

Bharti Airtel Limited (“Airtel”), a leading global telecommunications services provider with operations in 17 countries across Asia and Africa, today said that, through its subsidiaries, it has entered into a definitive agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A.

International Cellular S.A. (“Millicom”) ‘ under which Airtel Rwanda Limited (”Airtel Rwanda”) will acquire 100% equity interest in Tigo Rwanda Limited. The acquisition will consolidate the Rwandan telecom market and position Airtel as a strong number 2 operator in Rwanda. The consideration for the transaction is based on approximately 6x EBITDA multiple, payable over two years. The agreement is subject to regulatory and statutory approvals.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Airtel, said, “Airtel has taken proactive steps in Africa to consolidate and realign I the market structure in the last few remaining countries where its operations 1 are lagging on account of lower market share and presence of too many operators.

Airtel and Tigo have already merged their operations to create a strong viable entity in Ghana. Today, it has taken yet another important step to acquire Tigo Rwanda to become a profitable and a strong challenger in a two-player market.

Mauricio Ramos, CEO of Millicom, commented:”The sale of our business in Rwanda is in line with our strategy to focus on providing advanced fixed and mobile data services in Latin America.We are very grateful to the government of Rwanda for their support throughout the last eight years, which allowed us to extend digital inclusion to thousands of Rwandans.

We are also very grateful to all our employees, whose drive and commitment enabled Tigo Rwanda to become a leading provider of digital services In the country. We are confident that Bharti Airtel will build on the strength of Tigo Rwanda and enhance the services provided to customers.”

Raghunath Mandava, MD and CEO, Airtel Africa, said,”The acquisition reinforces our commitment to the Rwanda market and is a significant step towards creating a stronger presence in the country. It will create synergies with our existing business and help boost operational efficiencies in the market. The Rwandan telecom market will significantly benefit from this acquisition, further reiterating our stand that in-market consolidations do not just help achieve better market positions but benefit customers and the industry as a whole.”

Acquisition to consolidate the Rwandan telecom market and position Airtel as a strong number 2 operator in Rwanda with revenues of over USD 80 million and a revenue market share of over 40% Existing Millicom Rwanda customers will join over 370 million customers on Airtel’s global network across 17 countries and enjoy the benefits of a superior network, international roaming, and high quality 3G, 4G speed as well as Airtel Money services.

On completion, the proposed acquisition will undergo seamless integration, both on the customer as well as the network side, and further strengthen our market position. Over the years Airtel has been solidifying its market position to become a key player in the continent with in-country acquisitions. In the past, Airtel acquired assets in Uganda (Warid) and Congo B (Warid), Kenya (yu Mobile) and Ghana

We are also committed to the long-term viability of our operations in two other countries i.e. Kenya and Tanzania, to ensure that in 2018 all our 15 operations in Africa start contributing positive margins and cash flows towards a healthy and profitable Airtel Africa.” The agreement aims to bring together the strengths of Airtel and Millicom in Rwanda and offer benefits to customers in the form of a wider network, affordable voice and data services, and superior customer care. The existing customers of Tigo Rwanda will join Airtel’s global network, which currently serves over 370 million customers across 17 countries.They will enjoy amongst other things, benefits of the ‘One Airtel’ network with lower roaming rates across Africa and South Asia, an exciting bouquet of innovative services including Airtel Money.

Soruce: Internet

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