According to the daily Nation, Bharti Airtel and Zain Africa executives met in June to map out a re-branding strategy.
Zain Kenya began its operations in early 2000 as Kencell, then re-branded to Celtel finally changing to Zain in 2008. In 2008, it cost the firm $28 million when it rebranded from Celtel to Zain and another $30 million in 2004 when it was transforming from KenCell to Celtel.
In July this year, Bharti announced that it would invest US$150 million in the Kenyan market.
Speaking in Nairobi, 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.
Bharti Airtel Limited is one of Asia’s leading integrated telecom services providers with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa.
