Telecom Provider Orange, Moving into Nigeria to Challenge MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile

Another Telecom provider, Orange, is finding its way into two of Africa’s biggest markets Nigeria and South Africa.

Orange, France’s largest telecom company is reportedly looking to make entry into two of Africa’s biggest markets, Nigeria and South Africa.

Reports say Orange CEO, Stephane Richard said the company is looking to widen its footprint in Africa by establishing a presence in these countries but this might take a few months.

It is important to note that Orange is more than capable of taking over the Nigerian market with over 266 million customers worldwide and 89,000 employees in France and 59,000 employees in other parts of the world where its operations are situated.

Although how and when these entries will take place is still unknown, but it is important to bring to your notice that Orange has once played a role in the acquisition of some telco units across Africa.

In 2016, it acquired four of Airtel’s units in Africa. Though Orange had not made any play for South Africa’s telecom market, it had previously made investments in eCommerce, WiFi access, and business services.

Also in 2016, the telecom giant invested N32.7 billion in African Internet Group (Jumia), and in 2017, when Etisalat Nigeria (now 9mobile) fell into a financial crisis, Orange was one of the investors and they purchased a 65% stake in Etisalat Nigeria.

What Could This Mean For Nigeria’s Resident Telcos?

If Orange eventually finds its way into these African markets, this may pose a big challenge to already established telecom providers like MTN, Airtel, Glo, and others. But some persons believe that Orange coming into Nigeria won’t make much of a difference.

According to Mr. Mobility on twitter, as seen below

Orange coming into Nigeria won't make much of a difference. Etisalat didn't. What's Orange going to do differently – manufacture mobile Internet out of thin air? They are coming to face the same challenges that operators on ground are facing.

— Mister Mobility📱 (@moverick) June 21, 2020

What we are not sure of at the moment is if the company will seek a fresh entry into the market or acquire the license of any of the existing telcos like what Airtel did acquiring a license that has been passed from several telecoms starting from Econet, and 9mobile.

Orange is currently the tenth-largest mobile network operator in the world and the fourth largest in Europe after Vodafone, Telefónica, and Veon.

Via | YomiProf