In a hurry to return business to normal, Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) has appointed a new CEO to take stock of mobile operator, LAP Green Networks, in Zambia, and eight other African countries.
Abdul Rahman Al Shater has been appointed acting group CEO, and is expected to strongly push LAP Green Networks' expansion programme.
In Zambia, the company operates as Zamtel with a 75% majority stake, while the Zambian government owns the remaining shares.
The NTC is keen on further investing in the telecommunications firm in order to strengthen Zamtel's position as an emerging telecoms firm in sub-Saharan Africa.
The lifting of sanctions by the United Nations (UN) has boosted the NTC's investment plans. The UN placed sanctions on all LAP Green Networks and Libya Investment Authority assets early this year, following the uprising that led to the capturing and killing of president Muammar Gaddafi.
The lifting of sanctions by the UN means LAP Green Networks can now continue on its growth path.
Zamtel is Zambia's only total telecommunication solutions service provider, offering broadband Internet, fixed and mobile services.
However, the future of LAP Green Networks' investment in Zamtel is hanging in the balance following the constitution of a commission of inquiry by the new Zambian government to investigate how Zamtel was sold.
Zambian minister of information and broadcasting Given Lubinda says: “I have made an appointment with LAP Green Networks' management to chart the fate of Zamtel.”
The commission of inquiry has already completed its investigations after conducting public hearings, and is due to present a report to Zambia's new president, Michael Sata, who is expected to make the final decision.
The process of privatising the company was allegedly marred by sustained corruption allegations that forced then minister of communications and transport, Dora Siliya, to resign.
During his campaigns, Sata repeatedly claimed he would reverse the sale of the company if he became president so that it could be sold to Zambians in order to empower them.
The new government has already reversed the sale of Zesco's fibre-optic network to Zamtel by the previous government.
However, since the privatisation last year, Zamtel has experienced positive growth trends, with the GSM arm allegedly growing by 228% from July 2010, while its Internet service provider arm has also grown by more than 200%.
The company is currently expanding with the ongoing 2.5G and 3G network rollouts, while the New Generation Network has already been installed.
Like rival operators MTN Zambia and Airtel Zambia, Zamtel has also started offering mobile Internet services to its customers.
Share