Telecom operator Bharti Airtel, on Tuesday said that it has signed an agreement with Millicom International Cellular South Africa to acquire 100% stake in its Rwanda operation which operates under the brand name of Tigo Rwanda.
“Bharti Airtel Limited…has entered into a definitive agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. (Millicom) under which Airtel Rwanda Limited will acquire 100% equity interest in Tigo Rwanda Limited,” Bharti Airtel said in a statement.
Under this deal, Tigo’s 370 million customers will join the network of Airtel Rwanda. The acquisition will make Airtel Rwanda the second largest operator in the country with revenues of over USD$80 million and a revenue market share of over 40%, the statement said.
“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,” the statement said.
“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,” Bharti Airtel Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal said.
In the past, Airtel acquired assets in Uganda (Warid) and Congo B (Warid), Kenya (yu Mobile) and consolidated operations in Ghana (Millicom).
“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,” Mittal said.
source: PTI
