Maroc Acquisition Alters The Landscape In Mali

Privatisation in the telecoms industry continued this week with the news on January 19 that Maroc Telecom has emerged as the winning bidder in the auction for a 51% stake in Malian incumbent Sotelma. The Moroccan operator has apparently offered EUR250mn for a majority stake in Sotelma, which holds full licences to offer fixed-line, internet and mobile services in the West African country. BMI analysts estimate that Mali had just under 3.4mn mobile subscribers at the end of 2008, giving it a penetration rate of 25%. The subscriber base grew by an estimated 40% in 2008, down from 73% growth in 2007. BMI expects growth to continue to decline over the next five years as the total number of subscriber's increases, with 18% growth in 2008 taking the subscribers base to 9.8mn and 66% penetration

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