South Africa’s largest fixed-line operator Telkom has acquired the remaining 25 percent of its Nigerian subsidiary Multi-Links for US$130 million, extending its pan-African ambitions. According to a statement, Multi-Links is a “Nigerian private telecoms operator with a Unified Access License and ISP license providing fixed, mobile, data, long distance and international telecoms services throughout Nigeria.” Multi-Links also claims to have been the first operator to have launched CDMA2000 1x technology in Nigeria. Telkom acquired its initial 75 percent shareholding in Multi-Links in May 2007. “Our 100 percent ownership of Multi-Links not only meets Telkom’s broader investment criteria but also provides us with the opportunity to expand our mobile capability,” said Telkom CEO, Reuben September, according to reports. According to Wireless Intelligence, Nigeria is a market with great potential, having mobile market penetration of only 46 percent.

Telkom is aiming to become Africa’s leading ICT solutions provider. In November the company announced it was to acquire Sub-Saharan African ISP MWEB Africa for US$63 million, a move that included a 75 percent stake in MWEB Namibia. The deal gave Telkom access to satellite-based Internet access offerings currently focused on corporate customers, with operations in Namibia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, an agency arrangement in Botswana, and distributors in 26 Sub-Saharan African countries. Last year, Telkom divested its 50 percent stake in South Africa’s largest mobile operator Vodacom by selling 15 percent to partner Vodafone for ZAR22.5 billion (US$2.3 billion at the time of the deal). Telkom distributed its remaining 35 percent stake in Vodacom to Telkom shareholders by way of an unbundling.