Orange has announced it has entered into an agreement with Cellcom Telecommunications Limited to acquire, through its subsidiary Orange Côte d’Ivoire, Cellcom Liberia, the leading mobile operator in the West African country.
Orange said it will provide its marketing expertise and world-class technical capability to further strengthen Cellcom Liberia, with the company’s existing founders and employees to remain involved in the business to ensure a smooth integration.
The acquisition is part of the international development strategy of Orange, which aims to accelerate its growth by entering new emerging markets with high potential. With a mobile penetration rate of 66 per cent - lower than many neighbouring countries - Liberia is seen as a good opportunity for the company.
“With a national mobile license and its significant market share in the country in number of subscribers, Cellcom has excellent potential for growth over the coming years,” Orange said.
The completion of the transaction - the price of which is undisclosed - remains subject to approval by the competent authorities.
Orange has been scaling back in Africa in recent months. In November the company announced it had signed an agreement with Helios Investment Partners for the sale of its entire 70 per cent stake in Telkom Kenya.
This came after Orange also exited the Ugandan market, selling out to Africell. The company originally entered East Africa in 2008.
