NCC assessing Teleology takeover of 9mobile

Prof Umar Danbatta, NCC Executive Vice Chairman

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is finalising its review of investment firm Teleology Holdings’ planned takeover of 9mobile and the deal is expected to close in about a week, two sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Teleology was picked as preferred bidder for the country’s fourth biggest telecoms operator in February, following a bid process arranged by Barclays Africa, after a debt default forced 9mobile’s lenders to step in.

The sale has taken longer than initially expected.

Nigeria’s telecoms regulator is in the final stages of reviewing the deal before signing off Teleology’s takeover, the sources said, adding that, $301 million in financing for the deal is in escrow with Afrexim bank.

“The NCC is doing its own regulatory due diligence before making a formal announcement on transfer of licence,” one of the sources involved in the deal told Reuters.

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The source said the documentation with the NCC was not complete and the banks were preparing final papers. “(It) should close in another week,” the source added.

The NCC has to approve a transfer of 9mobile’s telecoms license to Teleology.

Earlier 9mobile, formerly called Etisalat Nigeria, said its board expected the takeover to be completed “as soon as possible” but that more time was needed to ensure a smooth transition, without giving further details.

The telecoms firm had been in meetings with its lenders, regulators and the new investor for the last few days.

The prospective buyer was given 90 days to pay the balance of $450 million to complete the acquisition after paying a non-refundable deposit of $50 million in March.

Another source said Teleology, which was set up by 12 telecoms industry veterans led by ex-MTN Nigeria executive Adrian Wood, is waiting for 9mobile’s lenders to obtain clearance from the NCC and Securities and Exchange Commission.

“The board of 9mobile is pleased with the progress made thus far,” said its Chief Executive Boye Olusanya.

Teleology has partnered with East Africa’s largest telecoms operator, Safaricom, to transform 9mobile. However the takeover comes at a time of increased competition as Nigeria’s biggest operator, South Africa’s MTN, expands its service through partnerships with banks.

9mobile has lost subscribers. In October, it had 17.1 million users, a 12.2 percent market share, which was down from 20 million subscribers, or a 14 percent share, earlier in 2017, NCC data showed.