Bharti Airtel reaffirms its long term commitment to Kenya

Thanks the government for strong support and encouragement and Promises affordable services for enhancing telecom penetration Will drive rural network coverage

Bharti Airtel, one of the largest mobile companies in the world, which recently acquired African operations of Zain including Kenya, today, reiterated its long term commitment to Kenya. Bharti Airtel is committed to the growth of telecommunications sector in Kenya by offering affordable services, deep network coverage and distribution backed by a superior brand experience to customers.

Mr. Manoj Kohli, CEO (International) & Jt. MD, Bharti Airtel said, “We are very delighted to be in Kenya and would like to express our deep gratitude and thank the government of Kenya for their overwhelming support. We want to be a partner in Kenya’s growth and will work closely with the government to take telecom networks deep into all corners of the country to touch the common man.

We are here for the long run and want to be a partner in the growth story on Kenya. We believe we have inherited very well run operations in Kenya and look forward to working with our team of highly talented professionals and take these operations from strength to strength.”

Speaking on Bharti Airtel’s investment in Zain, Mr. Rene Meza, Managing Director, Zain Kenya said, “Airtel’s entry will add impetus to Kenya’s telco industry. The expertise and synergies brought by Bharti Airtel will have a tremendous ripple effect not just in the telco industry but the ICT arena as well”

Bharti Airtel also said that it plans to bring its ecosystem of global partners to Kenya and this will result in additional employment opportunities in the country. The Company also has plans to introduce its Corporate Social Responsibility program in Kenya under which it will set up schools that offer free quality education to underprivileged children in rural areas.

Mr. Kohli also addressed the local employees and met key government officials during his visit.The countries in which Bharti has acquired the operations are - Kenya, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, Niger and Zambia. Zain is the market leader in 10 of the 15 countries and second in 4 countries.

With the successful completion of Zain’s acquisition Bharti Airtel is now the fifth largest mobile company in the world with over 180 million customers.