Bharti Airtel in talks to sell four African subsidiaries to Orange

Airtel Kenya parent company Bharti Airtel is in talks to sell four of its African subsidiaries to France-based telecom operator Orange.

The Indian biggest cellphone carrier that operates in 17 countries in Africa is looking to sell its operations in Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone, all Francophone countries, or non-English speaking markets in Africa, a continent where it has been making losses since its entry in 2010, dragging its consolidated financials. Sources say Airtel is looking for a valuation between $900 million (Sh91.8 billion) and $1 billion (Sh102 billion) for the sale.