BOSTON, United States—South Africa’s biggest cell-phone operator Vodacom may soon enter the Zambian cellular market by operating the fourth cellular network in the country. Official authorization has been granted for the license, but the final decision rests on the approval of shareholders.
Vodacom is 50 percent owned by the parastatal Telkom, with U.K.-based Vodafone Group owning 31.5 percent of the total shares. If the green light is granted for the license, Vodacom will hold a 51-percent stake in Vodacom Zambia, and Unitel Communications Zambia will own the remaining 45 percent.
Vodacom is currently operating in Tanzania, Lesotho, and since last year, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Vodacom is anticipating to attract 600,000 customers in the first five years of operating its cellular network in Zambia.
