Telecoms & IT
From The Report: Cote d'Ivoire 2013
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As with many emerging markets, data is playing an ever more important role in Côte d’Ivoire’s telecoms sector. While many subscribers have multiple SIM cards, the mobile market is nonetheless rapidly nearing saturation, which means the country’s six operators are looking to sustain high growth rates by both expanding the uptake of value-added services and improving network quality. 

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

New waves of growth: Coverage was only the start; quality and added services are now driving competition
OBG
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As with many emerging markets, data is playing an ever more important role in Côte d’Ivoire’s telecoms sector. While many subscribers have multiple SIM cards, the mobile market is nonetheless rapidly nearing saturation, which means the country’s six operators are looking to sustain high growth rates by both expanding the uptake of value-added services and improving network quality. The comparatively large number of operators, combined with slowing growth in new subscribers, means that…

Interview

OBG talks to Nongolougo Soro, CEO, Société Nationale de Développement Informatique (SNDI)
OBG
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Interview: Nongolougo Soro What is the impact of computerising public tender procedures on transparency? NONGOLOUGO SORO: The government of Côte d’Ivoire has taken bold steps toward improving transparency in public tender procedures. Indeed, by computerising various government processes, there is much more openness. Among the bold steps taken by the government is the development by SNDI, on behalf of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, of an integrated computer system for public tender procedures…

Interview

OBG talks to Issam Darwish, Chief Executive Officer, IHS Towers
OBG
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Interview: Issam Darwish How can sharing infrastructure affect mobile service providers’ capital and operating costs, and do regulatory policies aid infrastructure sharing? ISSAM DARWISH: The economic benefits for mobile network operators (MNOs) can be considerable. Capital expenditure (capex) on passive infrastructure can be eliminated, and operating costs (opex) can be reduced and made more predictable through outsourcing. Under the full outsource business model, the independent tower company…

Analysis

Unlocking opportunity: With a high mobile penetration rate, 3G promises to be profitable
OBG
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The long-awaited arrival of 3G in Côte d’Ivoire, and the expected subsequent boom in data usage, is a welcome development for local telecoms operators. However, a number of issues will need to be resolved if the operators are to take full advantage of the new service. Specifically, the government issued the first 3G licences in March 2013, with three permits granted to South Africa-based MTN, France Telecom’s Orange Côte d’Ivoire and UAE-based Etisalat’s Moov. Each licence is good…

Overview

Bridging the digital divide: The government is working to expand coverage and computer literacy
OBG
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After a decade of underinvestment and neglect, Côte d’Ivoire’s authorities are keen to make up for lost time and leapfrog the country into the digital era, expanding activity in IT services, improving infrastructure and boosting computer literacy. However, it is an ambitious goal in a country where 2.4% of the population has regular access to the internet and where around half the population cannot read. Realising these goals will entail significant expenditures, and the government has already…