South Africa’s MTN announced today that it is in early talks to buy Telkom, the partially state-owned fixed-line telephone operator.
Africa’s largest mobile phone operator said in a statement it had entered into discussions
to buy the entire issued share capital of Telkom in return for shares or a
combination of cash and shares in MTN.
“Discussions are at an early stage and there is no certainty that the Transaction will be consummated,” stated MTN.
“The board of directors of MTN (Board), individually and collectively, accept full responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained in this announcement and certify that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, such information is true, and that this announcement does not omit any facts that would make any of the information false or misleading or would be likely to affect the importance of any information contained in this announcement.
“The Board has made all reasonable enquiries to ascertain that no facts have been omitted and that this announcement contains all information required by law.”
Also read: MTN Invites Developers To Create Apps For FinTech Business
MTN Group’s Mobile Money Application Interface (API) is inviting developers across several markets to participate in an Open API Hackathon, with a challenge to create a mobile application that uses MoMo APIs for use in their markets.
The hackathon will be the second conducted by MTN Group Fintech and will take place in the following countries: eSwatini, Zambia, Congo Brazzaville, Rwanda, Uganda, Cameroon, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Guinea Conakry.
Developers will compete to create an innovative application for the markets in which they are registered, which can process financial transactions with added capabilities that go beyond processing payments and drive both financial inclusion and literacy.
“MTN is committed to extending financial and digital inclusion across the continent in furtherance of its strategy to build a pan-African Fintech platform that will power the digital economy and serve as a catalyst for social and economic growth in Africa,” said Serigne Dioum, MTN Group Chief Fintech Officer