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Stakeholders in the Telecom industry meet in Africa to
discuss way forward
Audrey Micah, Ghanadot
Accra, Aug 31, Ghanadot -
Telecommunications operators in Africa would meet with
investors and regulators in South Africa from September 1-3,
2009 to discuss a wide range of issues on the way forward
for the industry on the continent.
Ghana would be represented by the Ghana Investment Fund for
Electronic Communication (GIFTEC) among 80 other
participants, mostly telecom operators, dubbed Telecom World
Africa 2009 (TWA 09), organised by the South African-based
Terrapinn Limited, a business media company.
The conference, under the theme: “Opportunity, Innovation
and Strategy for Fixed and Mobile Operators and Investors”,
would focus on investment opportunities for operators;
investors in Africa; investing in Africa’s telecoms;
reforming regulation; convergence; optimising operator
performance; mobile broadband and innovation.
Some time would also be dedicated to discuss West Africa,
East Africa and North Africa’s regional updates in the
telecom industry.
There will be case studies of various aspects of the
industry, chief executive panel, investor panel sessions, as
well a few companies with stands displaying their offerings.
As at June 2009, Africa recorded 390 million mobile phone
subscribers, representing 39.2 per cent penetration of the
estimated 997 million people on the continent.
Pre-paid subscribers make up about 80 per cent of mobile
cellular users on the continent and some prepaid subscribers
own more than one simcard, making real penetration even
lower than estimated.
Ghana hosts six multinational telecom operators - MTN, Tigo,
Zain, Vodafone, Kasapa and Glo, five of which command an
estimated 14.74 million mobile cellular subscribers,
representing 67 per cent penetration in the first half of
2009. Penetration is expected to reach between 70 to 80 per
cent next year. Glo is yet to begin operations.
The giant of Africa, Nigeria, hosting MTN, Glo, Zain,
Vodafone and other leading brands in emerging markets,
recorded some 67 million mobile cellular subscribers in June
2009.
Ghanadot
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