Bharti Airtel, Millicom close deal to combine Ghana ops

TIL Desk/Business/New Delhi/ Telecom operator Bharti Airtel and Millicom International Cellular today announced completion of a deal to combine their operations in Ghana. The deal, executed through their respective subsidiaries, will create Ghana’s second largest mobile operator with nearly 10 million subscribers and USD 300 million in revenue.

“The combined networks of the two companies will cover more than 80 per cent of Ghana’s population, in particular in villages and far flung areas and serve customers with affordable world-class voice/ data services, affordable global roaming and mobile banking services,” a Bharti Airtel statement said.

Airtel and Millicom will have equal ownership (that is 50:50 each) and enjoy governance rights in the combined entity. The two will also have board representations and management positions in the merged entity. “The Ghana National Communications Authority (NCA) granted approval for the merger proposal early this month,” the statement added. Roshi Motman, the current CEO of Tigo Ghana, will be the new CEO of the joint entity.