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Botswana Takes Steps to Privatise National Telco
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) says that it is to advise Botswana's government on the privatisation of the state owned telco, Botswana Telecommunications. IFC will work with Botswana's Public Enterprises Evaluation and Privatization Agency (PEEPA) on securing a strategic equity partner to invest in and operate the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation and introducing further policy measures to liberalize the telecommunications industry.
The privatization of the telecommunications provider is in line with Botswana's broader strategy to increase private sector participation in the economy.
"Increased private sector participation in the economy is important for Botswana's continued economic growth," said Joshua Galeforolwe, CEO of Botswana's Public Enterprises Evaluation and Privatization Agency. "IFC brings a combination of global experience in corporate finance and privatization as well as working with governments to implement economic reforms, especially in the telecommunications sector," he said.
The Botswana Telecommunications Corporation was established in 1980, initially as the country's sole telecommunication services provider and sector regulator. The government subsequently established an independent regulator, Botswana Telecommunications Authority, for the sector and ended BTC's monopoly, except in the fixed network and voice services market segments. The government has further liberalized the sector by issuing service-neutral licenses and has opened the international gateways to other service providers. The privatization of BTC is the next step in the liberalization of the sector.
"IFC wants to deliver global expertise that will help ensure a public-private partnership that attracts private sector investment in infrastructure, helping meet the needs of a growing economy and improving services, especially for people who need them most," said Dorothy Berry, IFC Vice President for Human Resources, Communications, and Administration.
BTC offers fixed-line services and is yet to commence mobile services.
The Mobile World database notes that the country has two current operators, Mascom Wireless and Orange Botswana. The country has an impressive population penetration level of almost 77% - having a total of 1.26 million subscribers, as of last September.
IFC is an arm of the World Bank.
Posted to the site on 6th February 2008
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