milele amina
JF-Expert Member
- Aug 16, 2024
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Millicom International Cellular has finalized the sale of its Tanzanian division, completing its multi-year divestment strategy from Africa to focus exclusively on Latin American markets.
The sale of Tigo Tanzania to the pan-African group Axian was first announced in April of last year. Recently, Millicom disclosed that it will receive net cash of around $100 million from this transaction. Axian will assume Millicom's debts and other obligations tied to the unit.
Millicom's CEO, Mauricio Ramos, stated, “With today’s announcement that we have completed the divestiture of our African businesses, we close a chapter in our history and open another solely focused on the Latin American region.”
In addition to the sale of Tigo Tanzania, Millicom had previously sold its shares in a joint venture in Ghana with Bharti Airtel to the government, which now has full control over Airtel Tigo. The company also had operations in other African countries, including Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Rwanda, and Senegal.
As part of its strategy, Millicom is significantly increasing its investments in Latin America. This includes expanding its fixed broadband network to over 20 million homes. Moreover, the company plans to spin off its fintech division, Tigo Money, and its tower portfolio into separate entities.
Millicom has identified financial technologies as a critical growth area, with an estimated market opportunity of $14 billion in Latin America.
In Guatemala, Millicom took full control of a joint venture from a local partner for $2.2 billion, further solidifying its commitment to the Latin American market.
Context of Tundu Lissu
Tundu Lissu is a well-known Tanzanian politician and lawyer who has been an outspoken critic of the government. In September 2017, he survived an assassination attempt, which he attributed to his political activities and criticisms of government corruption and human rights abuses.
There have been discussions in public discourse regarding whether telecommunications companies, including Millicom, could inadvertently support government actions that lead to violations of human rights, including surveillance of activists like Lissu.
The environment in which these companies operate can affect the safety of political dissenters, raising ethical concerns about corporate responsibility.
Questions of Accountability
With Millicom having divested its operations in Tanzania, questions arise regarding accountability and the implications of their past actions.
If it is suggested that Millicom provided information to the government that may have led to Lissu's assassination attempt, the conversation shifts to who is ultimately responsible for such actions.
1. Corporate Responsibility:
Should companies be held accountable for how their operations and data usage may impact political activists? If Millicom was involved in any capacity in sharing sensitive information, that raises significant ethical questions about corporate governance and accountability.
2. Government Accountability:
The primary responsibility for the safety of citizens, including political opponents, lies with the government. If the government is using telecommunications data to target dissenters, it must bear the greatest responsibility for such actions.
3. Impact of Divestment:
Now that Millicom has exited the Tanzanian market, it may reduce its liability for any past actions. However, the legacy of its operations can still affect how political activists operate in the country. The changes in corporate presence can also lead to shifts in how government interacts with remaining telecommunications providers.
4. Activism and Safety:
The environment for activists in Tanzania continues to be precarious. If Millicom provided any information that compromised Lissu’s safety, it reflects a broader issue of how telecommunications can be weaponized in political contexts.
* Conclusion*
As Millicom moves forward with its focus on Latin America, the implications of its past actions in Tanzania, particularly concerning Tundu Lissu, remain a topic of heated debate.
The questions of accountability—whether it lies with Millicom, the Tanzanian government, or both—continue to provoke discussions about corporate ethics and the responsibilities of businesses operating in politically sensitive environments.
The situation illustrates the complexities surrounding telecommunications, politics, and human rights, emphasizing the need for companies to navigate these issues carefully as they operate across different regions.
The sale of Tigo Tanzania to the pan-African group Axian was first announced in April of last year. Recently, Millicom disclosed that it will receive net cash of around $100 million from this transaction. Axian will assume Millicom's debts and other obligations tied to the unit.
Millicom's CEO, Mauricio Ramos, stated, “With today’s announcement that we have completed the divestiture of our African businesses, we close a chapter in our history and open another solely focused on the Latin American region.”
In addition to the sale of Tigo Tanzania, Millicom had previously sold its shares in a joint venture in Ghana with Bharti Airtel to the government, which now has full control over Airtel Tigo. The company also had operations in other African countries, including Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Rwanda, and Senegal.
As part of its strategy, Millicom is significantly increasing its investments in Latin America. This includes expanding its fixed broadband network to over 20 million homes. Moreover, the company plans to spin off its fintech division, Tigo Money, and its tower portfolio into separate entities.
Millicom has identified financial technologies as a critical growth area, with an estimated market opportunity of $14 billion in Latin America.
In Guatemala, Millicom took full control of a joint venture from a local partner for $2.2 billion, further solidifying its commitment to the Latin American market.
Context of Tundu Lissu
Tundu Lissu is a well-known Tanzanian politician and lawyer who has been an outspoken critic of the government. In September 2017, he survived an assassination attempt, which he attributed to his political activities and criticisms of government corruption and human rights abuses.
There have been discussions in public discourse regarding whether telecommunications companies, including Millicom, could inadvertently support government actions that lead to violations of human rights, including surveillance of activists like Lissu.
The environment in which these companies operate can affect the safety of political dissenters, raising ethical concerns about corporate responsibility.
Questions of Accountability
With Millicom having divested its operations in Tanzania, questions arise regarding accountability and the implications of their past actions.
If it is suggested that Millicom provided information to the government that may have led to Lissu's assassination attempt, the conversation shifts to who is ultimately responsible for such actions.
1. Corporate Responsibility:
Should companies be held accountable for how their operations and data usage may impact political activists? If Millicom was involved in any capacity in sharing sensitive information, that raises significant ethical questions about corporate governance and accountability.
2. Government Accountability:
The primary responsibility for the safety of citizens, including political opponents, lies with the government. If the government is using telecommunications data to target dissenters, it must bear the greatest responsibility for such actions.
3. Impact of Divestment:
Now that Millicom has exited the Tanzanian market, it may reduce its liability for any past actions. However, the legacy of its operations can still affect how political activists operate in the country. The changes in corporate presence can also lead to shifts in how government interacts with remaining telecommunications providers.
4. Activism and Safety:
The environment for activists in Tanzania continues to be precarious. If Millicom provided any information that compromised Lissu’s safety, it reflects a broader issue of how telecommunications can be weaponized in political contexts.
* Conclusion*
As Millicom moves forward with its focus on Latin America, the implications of its past actions in Tanzania, particularly concerning Tundu Lissu, remain a topic of heated debate.
The questions of accountability—whether it lies with Millicom, the Tanzanian government, or both—continue to provoke discussions about corporate ethics and the responsibilities of businesses operating in politically sensitive environments.
The situation illustrates the complexities surrounding telecommunications, politics, and human rights, emphasizing the need for companies to navigate these issues carefully as they operate across different regions.
