Benin: MTN partners with Ericsson to expand mobile services in rural areas using solar power
July 16th 2023
Competition is intensifying in the Beninese mobile telephony market. Market leader, MTN multiplies investments to strengthen its position and better face this competition led by Moov Africa Benin and Celtiis.
The telecommunications operator MTN Benin wants to rely on solar energy to extend the coverage of its high-speed mobile connectivity services in rural areas of Benin. The company signed a partnership agreement with the Swedish technology company Ericsson for this purpose on Wednesday 12 July.
Under the terms of the contract, Ericsson will support MTN Benin’s planned rural coverage at 29 sites. The solution also includes managed services, which will include the provision of preventive and corrective maintenance activities for tower sites.
“ As everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life, we need to ensure that ‘wherever we go’ in Benin, our people, whether in rural or urban areas, have access to our network. […] By bringing connectivity to Beninese communities, we ensure MTN’s contribution to digital economic development, empowerment of the local population and strengthening of the network infrastructure in Benin”, Uche Ofodile, Managing Director from MTN Benin.
MTN’s investment in the coverage of rural areas of Benin comes in a context marked by the strengthening of competition in the national telecom market which has been enriched by a new player: Celtiis, a subsidiary of the Beninese Digital Infrastructure Company . The latter recorded 599,727 subscribers during its first three months of activity (October-December 2022), winning a market share of 4.12%.
The extension of mobile coverage should allow MTN to win new subscribers and strengthen its leadership in the Beninese mobile telephony market. According to statistics from the Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP), the company controlled 57.88% market share at the end of the first quarter of 2023. Its competitors Moov Africa Benin and Celtiis respectively held 4.81 % and 37.31% of the national mobile phone subscriber base.
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