Bharti Airtel has acquired 100% of the equity in Warid Telecom Uganda for an estimated US$100million, in news broken by Reuters just before TowerXchange issue 3 went to print. The deal was expected to bring Airtel’s market share in Uganda to around 39%, very similar to MTN who have around 40%. Also competing in the market are Uganda Telecom Ltd (UTL), Orange Uganda and iTel.
The implications for the tower industry could be significant. In 2012, Eaton Towers acquired an estimated 400 towers from Warid Telecom Uganda, combining them with a further 300 sites acquired from Orange Uganda.