WEDNESDAY, 12.00NOON
TELKOM and its strategic partner Telekom Malaysia are planning to expand operations into African countries where telecom privatisations are under way and major opportunities are opening up. Telkom international business unit head Alan Hooper said the two parties are investigating opportunities in a number of African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Uganda
Telekom Malaysia Berhad international ventures head Hamal Anuar Haji Ali said: “When Telekom Malaysia bought a stake in Telkom it was agreed that we would look at other areas in Africa where investment opportunities might present themselves.” Ali said Telkom already has operations in African countries, including Malawi, Guinea and Ghana.
Industry analysts say there is a possibility of Telkom and its partner looking more closely at equity arrangements in these operations. Brian Cheesman, an executive with Telkom’s international business development and services division says the telecom is assessing whether to bid to operate a second telehone network in Uganda. “Apart from other investments, we plan to expand cable and satellite operations in Africa,” Cheesman said. There appear to be no plans for Telkom’s other foreign partner, SBC Communications, to invest separately in Africa.