Vodafone Ghana has acquired a stake in Vodacom Business Ghana (VBG), following the purchase of the entire shares of the Vodacom Group.

The move would allow Vodafone Ghana to assimilate VBG’s operations into its existing business to provide a seamless transition for existing clients and employees.

According to a statement from Vodafone Ghana to the Ghana News Agency, Vodafone and Vodacom would continue to collaborate in Ghana through a pan-African partnership model for Enterprise clients.

The transaction, which had received regulatory approval, supports Vodacom Group’s refocused Enterprise strategy in Africa, which seeks to grow and strengthen its core business and aligns with Vodafone’s strategy to consolidate its African assets.

Vodacom would remain Vodafone’s preferred Enterprise partner in Africa and continue to work with Vodafone Ghana to accelerate all future activities across the continent, the statement said.

It explained that the transaction formed part of the strategic repositioning announced earlier by Vodacom of its Vodacom Business Africa operations that had ultimately resulted in separate partnership arrangements involving its enterprise businesses in Nigeria, Zambia, Angola and Cote d’Ivoire.

Mr Guy Clarke, the Managing Director for Vodacom Business Africa, was quoted as saying: “This transaction shouldn’t be viewed as Vodacom exiting the Ghanaian market but rather a consolidation of resources and expertise with Vodafone to deliver an improved integrated service to our Enterprise customers within Ghana and across the continent.

“The conclusion of this transaction ensures a single brand presence in the market when addressing Enterprise customer needs. We expect this will ultimately benefit clients through the collective power of the numerous technological advancements and products.”

Mrs Patricia Obo-Nai, the Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana, said: “The integration of Vodafone Ghana and Vodacom Business Ghana is inevitable. It combines different but similar skills sets, competencies and processes in a way that will significantly enhance go-to-market strategies and operational optimisation.

“Consolidating our customer bases, products and services portfolios and customer experience approaches will unlock further value for Enterprise customers.”

Vodacom Group is a leading African communications company providing a wide range of communication services, including mobile voice, messaging, data, financial and converged services to over 103 million customers.

From its roots in South Africa in 1993, Vodacom Group has grown its mobile network business to include operations in Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Lesotho and Kenya. Vodacom’s mobile networks cover a population of over 284 million people. Vodacom Group is majority owned by Vodafone.

Vodafone Group is one of the world’s leading telecoms and technology service providers. We have extensive experience in connectivity, convergence and the Internet of Things, as well as championing mobile financial services and digital transformation in emerging markets.

Vodafone Group has mobile operations in 24 countries, partners with mobile networks in 42 more, and fixed broadband operations in 19 markets.