The Tunisian government is looking to sell off its 25% stake in local mobile operator Tunisiana.
Finance secretary Slim Besbes was quoted saying at a press event today (26 July) that only financial companies and investment funds can participate in the…
The Tunisian government is looking to sell off its 25% stake in local mobile operator Tunisiana.
Finance secretary Slim Besbes was quoted saying at a press event today (26 July) that only financial companies and investment funds can participate in the tender. Telecoms operators will not be allowed to bid for the stake.
Offers will be accepted until 2 November.
Tunisiana is 75%-controlled by Kuwaiti carrier Wataniya Telecom, itself majority-owned by Qatar Telecom (Qtel).
The remaining 25% in Tunisiana was confiscated by the current Tunisian government from Princesse Holding, a conglomerate headed by Sakher El Materi, according to Reuters.
Materi is the son-in-law of former Tunisian president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, who was ousted during the Arab Spring at the beginning of last year.
Besides Tunisiana, the country is home to another two operators: incumbent Tunisie Telecom and Orange Tunisia, partly controlled by France Telecom.
