Eight companies and consortia have been shortlisted to bid for a stake of between 51 and 75 per cent in Zamtel. South Africa’s Telkom and two of india’s largest telecoms firms are on the list of shortlisted firms, this according to a report in the Time of Zambia.
Telkom has been pursuing opportunities in Africa since it sold a 15 per cent stake in Vodacom to Britain’s Vodafone for $3 billion. India’s State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), which are both part of a consortium and also looking to buy a 46 per cent stake in Kuwait mobile firm Zain, also prequalified to bid.
The rest are Altimo Holdings or Vimpelcom of Russia, LAP Green Limited or LAP Green Networks of Libya, Portugal Telecom, Orascom Telecom Holdings or Telecel Globe Limited of Egypt as well as UNITEL consortium of Angola.
ZDA director general Andrew Chipwende announced the names of successful prequalified companies and consortia at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday.
During the course of the prequalification process, the ZDA received 30 expressions of interest in the Zamtel privatisation. All the eight prospective bidders had paid a non-refundable administration fee of US$20,000 prior to their submission of the prequalification application form. Preferred bidders were also asked to meet a minimum of US$250 million shareholders’ equity for private entities or a minimum market capitalisation of US$500 million for publicly listed entities.
We want Telkom (SA) to be best bidder. It can take on Zamtel without problems. we pray!