Guinea Takes Full Ownership of Areeba Guinee: A New Chapter in Telecom

The Guinean government has officially taken full ownership of Areeba Guinee, marking a significant turning point in the country’s telecommunications sector. This development follows a decree issued by President Mamadi Doumbouya, transferring 100% of the mobile network operator’s shares from MTN Group to the state. During a national address, President Doumbouya announced that Areeba Guinee is now under a new governance framework, with a board of directors and enhanced financial and managerial independence. This move ends the transitional arrangement set up after the initial acquisition of MTN’s shares in December 2024, during which the operator remained under temporary management.

A Strategic Move Towards State Autonomy

The full acquisition of Areeba Guinee marks a calculated effort by the Guinean government to exercise greater control over the country’s vital telecommunications infrastructure. Alongside taking over MTN Group’s stake, the government also facilitated the exit of minority shareholders, which had been under discussion since the initial December 2024 takeover. As the sole owner, the state aims to rebuild the operator’s foundations and reshape the national telecom landscape with improved autonomy and efficiency.

The Future of Guinea Telecom

Guinea’s telecom ambitions extend beyond the acquisition of Areeba Guinee. The government previously announced plans to launch Guinea Telecom, a new operator that was intended to succeed the now-defunct state-run SOTELGUI. Originally slated for early 2023, the initiative faced numerous delays tied to legacy infrastructure challenges. Despite the setback, the government appears to be merging its ambitions with the recent acquisition, with reports suggesting a potential merger between Areeba Guinee and Guinea Telecom. This strategic alignment could allow one entity to focus on wholesale telecom services while the other serves as a customer-facing retail provider.

Implications for Guinea’s Telecom Landscape

This state-controlled restructuring has broad implications for Guinea’s telecommunications sector. By consolidating operations under a government entity, the country can prioritize addressing longstanding infrastructural issues that have hampered growth and competition. Additionally, a dual wholesale and retail structure could improve service delivery, foster innovation, and potentially attract external investment. Observers will be watching closely to see how these developments influence connectivity, market competition, and the overall growth of the telecom sector in Guinea.

The full state ownership of Areeba Guinee signals a bold step for Guinea’s telecom future, creating opportunities to build a modern, competitive network. Whether Guinea Telecom will finally see fruition or be integrated into Areeba Guinee’s new remit remains to be seen, but the foundation is now set for transformative change in the industry.