Rwandatel to rebrand as GreenN

LAP Green networks says it will rebrand all its pan African networks including Rwandatel under the GreenN brand. The subsidiary of Libya African Investments Portfolio (LAP) — an investment arm of the Libyan Government, has controlling stake in Rwandatel and Uganda’s UTL. It also owns majority shares in Sonitel, Sahelcom and Ambitel GreenN of Niger, Cote d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone respectively. LAP Green, which is currently represented in six African countries, said on its website (www.lapgreenrend.com) that “GreenN” will be the pan African brand for the group’s networks. Rwandatel’s CEO, Issiaka Maiga Hamidou, said that LAP wants to brand all its networks operating in Africa to localise the name as other big operators. “Operating under one big brand will help all the operators to have the same vision which will also help the financial investments directed through one channel as LAP is moving towards becoming a big player on the continent,” he said. LAP says that it has more than 4 million subscribers. It also indicated that the Group’s objective by 2012 is to grow its subscriber base in fixed, mobile phones, as well as the internet. Green’s “huge appetite” for other telecoms was further induced by the signing of a $300 million (Rwf170.4 billion) financing agreement with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) last year. The group recently bought 80 per cent of Southern Sudan operator Gemtel for a yet to be disclosed amount. Last year it invested $97.4 million (Rwf55.3 billion) in Rwandatel. The Group is also set to build 400 housing units in Kagarama, Kicukiro District. The 200 apartment blocks and 200 high standing villas will be called “GreenN Village”. The Libyan Portfolio has plans to venture into other economic sectors in the country most especially hotels, mining and agriculture. The company is planning to officially launch its operations in Togo and Sierra Leone and it is also planning to acquire stakes in other five African countries. Ends

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Rwandatel to rebrand as GreenN