Vodacom Group Ltd. is in discussions with France’s Orange SA about a strategic partnership in Africa to explore infrastructure deals to help keep down costs on the continent.
Sources told Bloomberg the companies are looking at
potential agreements in countries where they both operate, including Egypt and
the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A partnership could involve sharing infrastructure and the
joint rollout of connectivity to rural areas. In a statement seen by the
outlet, Vodacom claims its aim is to “potentially alleviate costs” for the
incentives and therefore “narrow the digital divide”.
No deal has been finalised and Vodacom said it will comment
on specific agreements once they have been made. It is exploring similar
arrangements with other operators in overlapping markets.
In March, Vodacom reportedly readied plans to let go of 80
staff in its South African operation, in a drive to lower costs and transition
to a more technology-oriented business.
Meanwhile in its Q1 2024 earnings report, Orange CEO
Christel Heydemann highlighted double-digit revenue growth for its Middle East
and Africa unit, which booked a €1.8 billion revenue, up 11 per cent from Q1
2023.
The executive credited increased earnings from data and mobile money services in the region.
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