News

Bharti Airtel, one of the largest players in the fast-growing India telecommunications market, has been in merger talks with MTN, the largest provider of telecommunications services in Africa. Talks expired today, 30 September, without the parties reaching agreement after hitting stumbling blocks over the deal structure and reservations of the South African government.



The deal would have created the world's 4th largest mobile phone operator and an emerging markets giant with annual sales of USD20 billion and 200 million mobile phone subscribers throughout Africa, the Middle East and Asia.



Although some of the political hurdles appeared to have been removed a few days ago with indications from the South African treasury that it supported the deal, the South African government today announced that it could not accept the terms of the proposal.



Bharti has expressed its hope to keep discussions open and that the South African government will review its position.



This is the 3rd time in 18 months that merger talks between MTN and an Indian operator have failed.