MTN and Vodacom are believed to be interested in the African assets of Oi SA, formerly Brasil Telecom SA, according to a report by Bloomberg.<\/p>\n
The news service said that South Africa’s two largest operators were ‘studying’ a purchase of a stake in Oi\u2019s African businesses’, citing four people familiar with the matter.<\/p>\n
MTN and Vodacom would aim to buy a minority stake in Unitel, Angola\u2019s largest wireless operator.<\/p>\n
Unitel is part of Africatel Holdings, the holding company that Oi put up for sale last in October. Oi owns 75% of Africatel, which is valued at about 5 billion reais (R23 billion), Bloomberg reported, citing one of the people.<\/p>\n
Oi has been working on a sale of its stake in Africatel after acquiring it earlier this year as part of its merger with Portugal Telecom.<\/p>\n
“We constantly review investment opportunities, but I can’t comment on any particular country or company,” a Vodacom spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMTN continues to look for value-enhancing opportunities, including M&A, as part of its long-term growth strategy. However, we don\u2019t comment on market speculation,” said Nik Kershaw, executive for investor relations, MTN Group.<\/p>\n
Both MTN and Vodacom have expressed an interest in acquiring additional assets in Africa, with Ethiopia a particular target according to reports.<\/p>\n
In September, Romeo Kumalo, chief officer of international business at Vodacom said that the group is eying new assets in Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are lots of interesting new markets we are looking at, but the valuations aren\u2019t right,\u201d the executive told BusinessTech.<\/p>\n
Vodacom has an agreement with parent company, Vodafone, to stick within Sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\n
Vodacom\u2019s current territories include Tanzania, DRC, Mozambique and Lesotho, as well as South Africa.<\/p>\n
Government may pull out of Vodacom: report<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n