Telecom Lead MEA: In order to channelize its already
announced planned investment in the country, Manoj Kohli, CEO (International)
& Joint managing director of Bharti Airtel met the President of Rwanda.
The service provider said that it will work towards
generating both direct and indirect employment opportunities within its
ecosystem in Rwanda.
Through its strategic investment of USD 100 million in Rwanda,
Airtel will aim to strengthen its African operations. Furthermore, the company
plans to roll out other services in the country including its 3G network and
mobile commerce platform.
Rwanda is a promising telecommunications market and we
are grateful to the Government and people of Rwanda for the support extended to
us since our entry into the country. Our strategy for Rwanda is in harmony with
the government’s vision to make telecommunications a priority. We plan to work
closely with the government to provide access to affordable telecoms products
and services across the country,” said Kohli.
The company will also be bringing in partners like IBM
and Ericsson to set up and manage world class facilities in the country.
Ericsson and IBM support Airtel to launch mobile services in
Rwanda
Rwanda is among the fastest growing telecom markets in
Africa and, according to the National Statistics Institute of Rwanda, mobile
penetration in the country was at 38.4 per cent as of July 2011.
Airtel was awarded a license by the Rwanda Utilities
Regulatory Agency (RURA) late last year to operate 2G and 3G GSM mobile
services.
The company said that the launch of Airtel’s 3G platform
will help large corporate, small and medium businesses. In addition, Rwanda
will also benefit from Airtel’s mobile commerce platform, which is Airtel
Money.
Since launching in March this year, the company said that
it has strengthened its commitment to the community by adopting a primary
school in Kicukiro.
editor@telecomlead.com