West Africa mobile wrap-up

According to Informa, West Africa could be Africa's fastest-growing market, reaching almost 34m (+92%) mobile subscribers at the end of March. Togo (130%), Niger (103%) and Ghana (103%) are the fastest-growing country markets. The largest mobile country, Nigeria, reported a 92% growth, while other largest countries such as Senegal had 51% growth rate, Ivory Coast had 45%, and Cameroon 48%. Informa suggests that Nigeria should again add 10m new users this year. The introduction of multi-licenses and competition, have made a more dynamic mobile market, boosted by the lack of fixed-line infrastructure. Frequently, West Africa countries have about 3 mobile operators, such as Ghana, Ivory Coast and Gambia (before the end of this year) and up to 5 mobile operators in Sierra Leone. Investors have been and are attracted by deregulation, and business opportunities. As a result, merger and acquisitions are very active and prices are up. Millicom has become a strong local operator in several countries (Senegal, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, ...). Celtel and MTC are now rumored to have plans for Senegal and Ghana. MTN (S. Africa) is pushing in the region through its new acquisition Investcom. GSM is the technology of choice in the region, but CDMA is trying to enter with Kasapa in Ghana, and through CDMA WLL fixed infrastructure.

GSM West Africa 2006 conference and exhibition in Dakar (June 20-21) should be the opportunity for information updating.