Somtel has inched closer to joining top sub Saharan mobile telecommunications providers. This is after he telecom introduced 3G and 4G mobile and internet network, and eDahab mobile payment services for Somali customers.
The mobile telephone provider has also announced a share offering to the public in what is expected to revolutionise the company’s services to its clients in the horn of Africa.
Somtel is a member of Dahabshiil Group. Dahabshiil runs Africa’s leading money transfer business as well as eDahab, the fastest growing mobile transfer company in the horn of Africa.
The new services will provide fast internet voice and data services, and mobile payment systems to large cities, smaller towns and rural areas, including several areas where SOMTEL and other providers were not previously supplying these much-needed services. The eDahab facility will provide financial services through the mobile phone. This will enable those in the unbanked community to access such a service for the first time. These important new developments will be of great service to the burgeoning e-business sector in the region.
Investment potential
The decision by Somtel to offer shares for sale to its customers during their launch of the 3G and 4G services in Mogadishu in the weekend is bound to attract investors to the company.
Dahabshiil group founder and chairman Mohammed Said Duale said the new venture by Somtel will avail new services to its clients.
“Somtel will bring new and vital services to customers in Mogadishu and other places, including the latest voice and data services, and fibre-optic technology which provides the fastest Internet in the region, all at competitive rates.”
Mr Duale added: “Crucially, eDahab mobile payments and Dahabshiil Bank, which are fully compliant with local and international laws and regulations, will provide customers with access to banking and financial services. Customers, including those who have never before had access to the internet or banking, will gain access to new and better services at highly competitive rates.’
Mogadishu Mayor Abdulrahman Osman who attended the function on November 5 tweeted: “Today’s launch of Somtel shares that is open to everyone is testament of progress that exists in Mogadishu,”
The Mayor was among top dignitaries who attended the launch in Mogadishu. Others were the Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, Mahdi Guled Khadar, former president Hassan Sheikh, Minister for Commerce and Industry Abdi Hayir Maareye, Deputy Senate speaker Abdi Hanshi, members of parliament, business leaders, members of the International community and representatives from civil society organisations, the religious community and women’s groups.
Those who spoke at the event acknowledged the significant investments made by Somtel and Dahabshiil Group in order to supply fibre-optic technology and innovative telecommunication services which will contribute to the development of the region and its inhabitants. It will generate new employment opportunities which will contribute to Somali stability and growth. They said Somtel’s share offering will provide exciting investment opportunities to a wide range of people.
Somtel has invested heavily in technological advancement in the communication industry.
The company has partnered with Djibouti Telecom to provide cheaper internet after launching a 5,400 km cable system linking Djibouti, Mogadishu and Mombasa undersea cable and delivering a capacity of up to 30 terabits per second.
BY ODINDO AYIEKO
