Vodafone Considers Pulling Out of Egypt Subsidiary

British mobile group Vodafone is understood to be examining the possibility of selling its controlling stake in its Egyptian subsidiary, the Financial Times reports. According to the broadsheet, citing people familiar with the matter, Vodafone has already started initial negotiations regarding the potential divestment of its 55% holding in Vodafone Egypt, with fixed line incumbent Telecom Egypt (TE) mentioned as the interested party in a deal that could be worth up to GBP3 billion (USD4.3 billion). Despite claims that talks have been ongoing for around a month though, Vodafone declined to comment on the matter, while TE said that it was unaware of any discussions.

The revelation comes after Tarek Tantawy, CEO of TE, which already owns 45% of Vodafone Egypt, said that the fixed line operator was mulling its options for a full entry into the domestic mobile sector; it is believed that if no agreement is reached between Vodafone and TE that the latter may consider trying to secure its own wireless licence, should the government as rumoured offer a fourth mobile concession in the future.

Additionally, should a deal be reached it would also underline the willingness of Vodafone Group CEO Vittorio Colao to streamline his company’s portfolio, in line with comments made by the executive earlier this month stating that the group was looking to focus on developing its European units, alongside its interests in sub-Saharan Africa and India.

Makerere University To Help Develop Mobile Innovations In Third World

UK mobile phone experts are visiting Uganda to work with staff and students from Makerere University, in order to improve mobile phone innovation in the developing world.

Academics from Makerere University in Kampala have been working with counterparts at Sheffield Hallam University to improve teaching techniques over the design of mobile phones, ensuring that the next generation are equipped to benefit from the technology.

After the Ugandan academics visited Sheffield in November, Professor Andy Dearden, E-Reader in Social Action at Sheffield Hallam, and Professor Ann Light have made the return trip to Kampala this week.

The project will see students at Makerere working with academics at Sheffield Hallam to develop projects that will boost Ugandan knowledge of the mobile phone industry, where subscriber numbers have rocketed to 10 million, almost a third of the population.

Plans for a sustainable mobile phone innovation centre in Kampala where graduates can work with local and international businesses are also in the pipeline.

The 18-month partnership, supported by a British Council grant, Education Partnerships in Africa, will improve teaching methods in mobile phone innovation and entrepreneurial skills.

Dr Dearden, who has completed a similar project in rural India, said: "This is the first project undertaken between Makerere and Sheffield Hallam, and will see both of our reputations for excellence and innovation enhanced.

"Courses that focus on user-centred products and designs are sparse in most of Africa despite the rapid rise in mobile phone technology and usership.

"This project aims to address this project in Uganda and to develop a university to industry partnership model that can be used throughout sub-Saharan Africa."