Vodacom's Maziv Deal Clears Competition Appeal Court Approval

Vodacom's proposed Maziv deal has reportedly received approval from the Competition Appeal Court. The deal, which involves the acquisition of a majority stake in Vodacom Tanzania, is part of Vodacom's expansion strategy in Africa. Vodafone Group, the parent company of Vodacom, is one of the largest mobile telephone operators in the world, with operations in several countries including the UK, Germany, Europe, Africa, Turkey, and others.

Vodacom's proposed acquisition of a majority stake in Maziv, the owner of Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa, has reportedly received approval from the Competition Appeal Court. This deal, which was first announced in 2022, is a significant step in Vodacom's expansion strategy in Africa.

The approval comes after a lengthy process involving the Competition Commission and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). The court ruled that the transaction could proceed under revised terms, which include Vodacom acquiring 30% of Maziv, with an option to increase its stake to 34.95% [1].

Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub expressed delight with the court's decision, stating that it paves the way for enhanced fibre infrastructure and digital inclusion in South Africa. The acquisition is part of Vodacom's broader strategy to improve connectivity and support the digital economy [1].

This deal aligns with Vodacom's recent infrastructure-sharing agreement with Airtel Africa. The partnership aims to accelerate the rollout of 4G and 5G services, improve connectivity, and reduce operational costs in Mozambique, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) [2]. By leveraging existing networks, both operators aim to expand coverage faster and more efficiently, particularly in remote and underserved regions.

The approval of the Maziv deal and the infrastructure-sharing agreement with Airtel Africa reflect Vodacom's commitment to digital inclusion and network expansion in Africa. These strategic moves are part of the company's ambition to connect 260 million customers by 2030 [2].

References:
[1] https://techcentral.co.za/one-last-hurdle-vodacom-maziv-fibre-deal/268628/
[2] https://techpoint.africa/news/airtel-vodacom-infrastructure-sharing/