Johannesburg - Mobile network operator MTN Group [JSE:MTN] said on Wednesday that it agreed to acquire another 50% stake in MTN Cyprus to give it 100% control.
This transaction forms part of group's strategy to consolidate its investments and will provide further opportunities to accelerate its product and service offerings to the Cypriot market‚ it said.
MTN acquired its initial investment in MTN Cyprus in 2006 as part of a larger transaction where 100% of Investcom LLC‚ a holding company of operations in 10 countries in Africa and the Middle East‚ was acquired.
Since 2008‚ MTN Cyprus has grown its market share from 14% to approximately 33% and subscribers from 105‚000 to 316‚000 by end September 2012.
MTN CEO Sifiso Dabengwa said: "MTN Cyprus is well established within a market that has good potential for accessing innovation and knowledge sharing that can benefit the overall MTN group."
The acquisition is subject to approval by the Commission for Protection of Competition of the Republic of Cyprus.