MTN Group is among 90 companies competing for one of two mobile network licences in Southeast Asian country Myanmar, with chief executive Sifiso Dabengwa describing the country’s 60 million population as an “excellent opportunity”.
The major African network operator, which has 164.5 million users across the continent, is seeking opportunities in a country where mobile penetration is less than five per cent, meaning there is huge potential for growth.
Sifiso Dabengwa told journalists: “This is really a one-off. This is a greenfield that every operator is interested in.
“Any other opportunity in Asia or any other country would be looked upon on its merits.”
MTN operates in 21 countries across Africa and the Middle East, with substantial market shares in South Africa and Nigeria.
HumanIPO reported last month MTN Group had taken full control of its Cypriot partner Amaracos Holdings through MTN Dubai.
Dabengwa told Reuters the company is not interested in Vivendi’s 53 per cent stake in Maroc Telecom, in Tunisia.
HumanIPO reported in February Etisalat were working with banks to secure loans to make a bid. Qatari based QTel and South Korean KT Corp are rival bidders.
