Indian mobile giant BHARTI Airtel, has announced that it will invest US$150 million in the Kenyan market.
Speaking in Nairobi on Friday, the CEO Manoj Kholi said the investment would boost network operations.
“We are here for the long run and we want to be a partner in the growth story in Kenya. Kenya offers a great opportunity to grow, our focus will be in rural areas,” Manoj told reporters in Nairobi where he made the announcement.
While referring to the acquisition of Zain Kenya, Manoj said, “We believe we have inherited very well run operations in Kenya and look forward to working with our team of highly talented professionals to take these operations from strength to strength.”
Bharti took over mobile operations in 15 African nations when it completed the acquisition of the African assets of Kuwait’s Zain last month, making it the fifth largest mobile operator in the World with over 180 million customers.
In order to maintain continuity, Manoj said the team that has been spearheading the operations of Zain Kenya will not be affected.
He revealed that as part of its strategy, the firm would look to share infrastructure with other operators in East Africa’s largest economy to cut cost.
