Nigeria’s First indigenous network raring to beat Airtel, Dangote Group, others to lucrative bid
In a few days, all things being equal, one of Africa’s leading telecom giants, Globacom would acquire 9mobile thus affirming its clout as Africa’s most successful telecoms network. There is something about Globacom network that distinguishes it among its peers and cutthroat rivals no doubt. The network’s merit probably lies in its capacity to make forays where none of its peers and rivals would dare venture.
Globacom plans to buy 9mobile (formerly Etisalat) and after buying it, the network stands the possibility of emerging as Nigeria and Africa’s number one network, according to pundits in the telecoms sector.
There is no limit to Globacom’s entrepreneurial depth; the past six months for instance has heralded the telecoms giant’s ingenious marketing and penetrative business strategies. Globacom has been inundating its customers with data gifts, bumper call credits, posh cars. among other perks.
It’s data offering is superb and affordable thus establishing it as Africa’s most reliable and customer-friendly network.
Industry pundits affirm that Globacom’s acquisition of 9mobile would be an epic coup considering stiff competition from top telecoms players who have shown interest in the company. The list of those who have tendered bid for 9mobile includes: India’s Bharti Airtel, operating as Airtel in Nigeria; Dangote Group’s telecoms business unit, Alheri Engineering Limited, which has the backing of U.S.-based Blackstone Group with an investment portfolio of $378 billion and a Nigerian subsidiary called the Black Rhino Group.
Others are Smile Telecoms Holdings, a South African telecommunications group with subsidiaries in Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda; and Helios Towers, the former owner and operator of the largest telecoms tower network in Nigeria and other countries, before it sold its Nigerian infrastructure to HIS.
Despite the fierce competition, Globacom is expected to scale through as the only successful bidder; if it succeeds in acquiring 9mobile, Globacom will consolidate its position as the most successful player in Nigeria’s telecoms industry and the network to beat in the African telecoms sector.
