South African Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda has expressed caution over a proposed tie-up between MTN and India’s Bharti Airtel.
He told the Sunday Times in an interview that any deal should take into account that MTN was a ”South African company with a footprint in Africa” and ”we are interested that it should remain” here.
South-Africa’s government-owned Public Investment Corporation holds 21% of MTN, while the Mikati family from Lebanon, with 10%, is the other large owner.
Nyanda said South Africa’s government ”had not come out in support” of a deal, adding it would only look at it when it was concluded because ”it would still have to come [to us] for ratification or support”.
He noted that MTN had expanded into Africa ”through government help”.
Africa’s biggest cellphone company needs approval from three quarters of its shareholders to approve the cash-and-share swap, should it reach an agreement to create the world’s third-biggest mobile operator.
Small MTN investors want more money from India’s Bharti Airtel for the planned multibillion-dollar tie-up, casting doubt over whether they will step in line if the two reach a deal.
The two groups have extended exclusive talks twice and given themselves until the end of the month to decide whether to join forces.
An earlier tie-up collapsed over sensitivities over who would control what and the new deal — in which both companies will hold a large stake in each other’s business — seems carefully crafted to avoid a repeat.
But some investors see the deal as being ”like a dead horse” because of the long delay in finalising the transaction, while others say they are being short-changed despite Bharti’s recently sweetened offer. – Reuters