Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has given her approval to Orange’s acquisition of mobile operator Cellcom, reports Agence Ecofin, citing a goverment press release issued at the conclusion of her meeting with the two companies’ top executives. The delegation comprised Cellcom CEO Abraham Avi Zaidenberg, Orange Cote d’Ivoire chairman and CEO Mamadou Bamba, Orange executive deputy CEO Marc Rennard, in charge of African operations, Bruno Mettling, deputy CEO for Orange in Africa and the Middle East.
Liberia’s president said her government wanted to see Orange extend its telecom services to the population and interconnections to neighbouring countries and the rest of the world. She promised the State’s support for this beneficial investment. She added that she hoped Orange would respect Cellcom employees’ rights. The technical details of the acquisition are due to be finalised by a deadline of 09 February.
Cellcom’s Zaidenberg said, "Orange envisages growing the number of company staff and to dramatically increase investment in the country, in particular in building telecom masts across the country, including unserved and remote areas."
Source: http://www.telecompaper.com/news/liberian-president-greenlights-oranges-cellcom-acquisition--1126719