Tunisie Telecom, Telecel BSA telecommunication and COMATEL have concluded the sale of Mauritano-Tunisienne des Télécommunications(Mattel) Telecom one month after announcing the acquisition deal. The UK based Telecel Group will acquire 100 per cent of the shares of the company Mattel. Both companies are yet to disclose the amount poured into the acquisition agreement.
The Mauritanian-Tunisian telecommunications company Mattel has, for more than ten years, been at the heart of an intense struggle between operators including Orange France and other potential buyers who have once again failed to seal the agreement. Sources have revealed that Orange France and the Telco have been in negotiations since 2012 and the deal was finally cancelled after negotiations between orange and the Tunisian government. deal and particularly Orange who have failed twice to seal the sale.
Speaking on the acquisition, Mattel Shareholders have declared that “After a competitive process, we are pleased to announce that Telecel Group has been selected for the sale transaction of Mattel’s shares. We are satisfied with the interactions with the Telecel group and remain confident for the rest of the process.”
The acquisition will see Telecel pursue its African strategy. Over the years, Telecel has been positioning itself as a market disrupter of the traditional model of services in Africa. Present on the continent since 1986, the mobile operator has completed four transactions in Africa since 2018. Telecel also plans to invest more than 700 million dollars over the next three years. The investment is set to fund acquisitions of mobile operators, and the construction of infrastructure for fibre optics and infrastructure in the continent.
Mattel holds more than 30% market share in Mauritania, just behind Mauritel, a subsidiary of Maroc Telecom. In 2021, it exceeded its objectives, thus attracting several investors which with Telecel’s acquisition in place, will bring its strategies to fruition.
Mattel is already a major player in the ICT sector and digital transformation in the country. As such, Mattel plays an essential role in the development of broadband in Mauritania through its 4G and fibre optic infrastructures deployed in the main cities of the country.
Mattel holds nearly a 33 per cent market share and in 21 years of existence, Mattel has constantly modernized its network thanks to the latest generation of technical equipment and the know-how of its engineers. The company backs on a network of more than 120 agencies spread throughout the national territory.
The Telecel Group is experiencing strong growth on the continent. It has completed four transactions since 2018. Thanks to its activities, Telecel Global Services, Telecel Play and the Africa Startup initiative Program have become major players in the digital economy in Africa.