Photo by Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi
MTN is considering divesting some of its smaller operations in West Africa as it focuses on core markets, people familiar with the matter said.
Africa’s largest mobile phone company is currently reviewing its portfolio in the region to identify potential candidates for removal, according to the people. MTN’s assets in Nigeria and Ghana, its biggest West African markets, are not part of the review, they said.
The deliberations are in the early stages and there is no certainty that they will result in divestments, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information was confidential.
An MTN spokesman said the company would communicate any firm intention to sell assets publicly to its interested parties and declined to comment further.
Johannesburg-based MTN, which has a presence in West African countries including Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and Liberia, has been narrowing its focus on its home continent and beyond since 2020.
Last month, it sold its Afghanistan business to Beirut-based M1 New Ventures for $35 million as part of plans to target higher growth areas such as data sales and mobile money.
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