Nigerian mobile operators Starcomms, Multilinks and MTS have applied for regulatory approval to merge, revealed a director of the Nigerian Communications Commission yesterday.
Lolia Emakpore said that the move was a purely commercial decision to make a…
Nigerian mobile operators Starcomms, Multilinks and MTS have applied for regulatory approval to merge, revealed a director of the Nigerian Communications Commission yesterday.
Lolia Emakpore said that the move was a purely commercial decision to make a larger operator, according to media reports.
The three operators have been struggling to survive in the crowded Nigerian market which is dominated by larger regional or global players.
A source close to the companies commented that he saw Starcomms as the strongest out of the three operators . “MTS is not doing well,” the person said, speaking to TelecomFinance, and “Multilinks is also in a weak position.” However, he thought the managing director of Multilinks would be “pivotal to the deal”.
TelecomFinance reported back in August that the three-way merger was being considered, although this was not confirmed at the time. Investors in the company were expected to include MBC, Middle East Capital Group and Helios Investment Partners, according to a local report in August.
Starcomms refused to comment on the merger.
