Tunisie Telecom, BSA telecommunications and COMATEL announce the signing, on March 14, of an exclusive agreement with the company TELECEL Group for the sale of 100% of the shares of the company Mauritano-Tunisienne des Télécommunications (Mattel). Mattel, is the first mobile operator in Mauritania to have launched the GSM. Since its creation on May 11, 2000, the result of cooperation between Mauritanian and Tunisian economic operators, Mattel has always relied on the quality of its network, the professionalism of its staff, the leadership of its management team and proximity to its customers.
Mattel is a major player in the ICT sector and digital transformation in the country. As such, Mattel plays an essential role in the development of broadband in Mauritania through its 4G and fiber optic infrastructures deployed in the main cities of the country. Mattel holds a market share of nearly 33% and in 21 years of existence, Mattel has constantly modernized its network thanks to the latest generation technical equipment and the know-how of its engineers. Mattel offers its services throughout the country with a network of more than 120 agencies spread throughout the national territory.
Telecel is a mobile phone operator present in Africa since 1986. The group is now experiencing strong growth on the continent. It has completed four transactions since 2018. The company plans to invest more than $700 million over the next 3 years, mainly in mobile operator acquisitions, fiber optic infrastructure construction and infrastructure. Through its activities, Telecel Global Services, Telecel Play and Africa Startup initiative Program has become a major player in the digital economy in Africa.
Mattel shareholders said “After a competitive process, we are pleased to announce that Telecel Group has been selected to sell Mattel’s shares. We are satisfied with the interactions with the Telecel group, which has a solid industrial project, and remain confident for the rest of the process.”.
Mattel Mauritania
Mattel is one of three mobile phone operators in Mauritania, the other two being Mauritel and Chinguitel. Mattel is also the Mauritanian subsidiary of Tunisie Telecom, the leading mobile operator in Tunisia, with more than 6 million subscribers. Tunisie Telecom is currently 65% owned by the Tunisian state, and 35% by Dubai Holding (via TECOM-DIG). Mattel is the first mobile operator to launch GSM in Mauritania, covering around 33% of the mobile market.
Telecel Group
Telecel is positioning itself as a “disruptor” in the market following the traditional service model in Africa. Telecel Group operates in four different verticals, all falling within the telecommunications industry: (1) Telecel Mobile, which owns and operates several mobile operators in Africa and Europe; (2) Telecel Global Services, the B2B arm of the Group, which provides wholesale, enterprise and digital security services to businesses and mobile operators, globally; (3) Telecel Play, a digital platform that is shaking up retail and the Fintech ecosystem on the African continent; and (4) Africa Startup Initiative Program, which targets innovative startups in Africa and offers them support, guidance and advice. For more information, visit the Group’s website: http://telecelgroup.com