Orange seeks Africa deals with eye on expansion

Orange’s commercial director for Africa Yannick Decaux. (Photo: Courtesy)

Orange South Africa is seeking deals in Africa as France’s biggest wireless carrier targets the continent as a source of additional revenue growth.

“We are looking for acquisition opportunities in Africa, it is a priority region for us,” Yannick Decaux, Orange’s commercial director for Africa said in an interview in Johannesburg on Thursday. “We are speaking to everyone.”

European phone companies are seeking ways to boost sales amid static and saturated markets on their home continent, where competition authorities have ruled to cut roaming fees. Demand for higher-margin wireless data is growing in Africa as internet speeds improve and smartphones become more available and affordable.

Orange has units in sub-Saharan African countries, including Botswana, Cameroon and Ivory Coast.