Guinean Government Fully Acquires Areeba Guinee, Exploring Telecom Merger Possibilities

The government of Guinea has officially acquired 100% ownership of the mobile network operator Areeba Guinee, marking a significant milestone in the country’s telecommunications sector. Signed into action by President Mamadi Doumbouya, this move transitions the operator into a fully state-owned entity. The acquisition, originally initiated at the end of 2024 with the temporary management of MTN’s shares, is now finalized under a new governance framework. As a result, Areeba Guinee operates with enhanced financial and managerial autonomy, aiming to revitalize the nation’s telecom services.

The Evolution of Areeba Guinee and its Impact

This acquisition follows the government’s historical attempts to regain control of its telecom resources. Previously, Areeba Guinee continued to operate under provisional arrangements after the government’s initial takeover of MTN’s shares. Furthermore, minority shareholders have fully exited the company, consolidating ownership and operational control under the state. This transformation highlights Guinea’s commitment to strengthening its telecommunications infrastructure as a key driver for economic growth and development.

This move occurs against the backdrop of Guinea’s broader ambitions in the telecom sector. The government had proposed the creation of Guinea Telecom to replace SOTELGUI, the former state-owned telecom entity. Although Guinea Telecom was slated to launch operations in early 2023, the rollout faced challenges due to inherited infrastructure issues. With the acquisition of Areeba Guinee, there is speculation about the government potentially consolidating telecom operations under a unified structure for streamlined growth and efficiency.

Will Guinea Merge Areeba Guinee and Guinea Telecom?

The prospect of merging Areeba Guinee with Guinea Telecom has fueled discussions about operational synergies in the telecom industry. According to reports, authorities are considering dividing the merged entity into two branches. One would function as a wholesale network provider, ensuring nationwide infrastructure and connectivity, while the other would serve as a retail operator catering to consumer needs. This strategic alignment, if realized, could help the government address both infrastructure challenges and service delivery gaps that have plagued Guinea’s telecom sector for years.

Such a merger represents a transformative opportunity to modernize Guinea’s telecommunications landscape. By integrating Areeba Guinee’s existing resources with Guinea Telecom’s newly proposed framework, the country could strengthen its competitive edge in the fast-evolving African telecom market. However, exact timelines and implementation details remain unclear, leaving industry observers eager to see how the government’s vision plays out in the months to come.