Airtel gets 50 millionth customer in Africa

Abuja: Bharti Airtel registered 50 million mobile customers in Africa in 17 months after making a foray into the continent still fledgling in cellphone usage.

The company, that operates in 19 countries across Asia and Africa, reached the milestone on Wednesday when the 50 millionth customer in Africa got registered with it.[caption id="attachment_145278" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="Airtel is gradually increasing its hold in Africa. Reuters"][/caption]

Airtel achieved this milestone within 17 months of acquiring Zain's mobile operations in 16 African countries and added 14 million new mobile customers during this period.

"This milestone demonstrates our continued dedication and commitment to Africa," said Manoj Kohli, CEO (international) and joint managing director, Bharti Airtel Ltd in Nairobi.

"We would like to thank our customers for reposing their faith in brand Airtel and we are committed to serving them with world-class services," he added.

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In 2010, Bharti Airtel announced the investment of $600 million in Nigeria's mobile market alone following its take-over of Kuwaiti-based Zain operation after closing a $10.7 billion deal.