The African Business Journal: Battle for the Congo

Battle for the Congo
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John Pinching on 26 January, 2012 10:15:00
 
TABJ – Jan 26 - Vodacom Group Ltd. has announced plans to sell its 51 per
cent stake in a mobile-phone business in the Democratic Republic of Congo to MTN
Group Ltd. or Unitel SA.
Congolese Wireless Network (CWN) SPRL holds 49 per cent in Vodacom Congo and
Alieh Conteh, chairman and founder of the network said: “Vodacom is
selling its investment in Vodacom Congo.”
MTN is Africa’s largest mobile-phone company with a presence in 22
countries and will be battling against Unitel, the biggest operator in Angola,
in the bid for Vodacom’s stake in the Congo company.
Since a plan to inject $484 million into Vodacom Congo in early 2010, Vodacom
and CWN have not seen eye to eye.
According to Conteh, Vodafone is persuading CWN to sell its stake but Simon
Gordon, spokesperson for Vodafone refused to comment.
Earlier last week, the head of Vodacom’s international operations, Johan
Dennelind, said that they phone company was “making good progress”
in resolving the Congo dispute.