Airtel interested in Warid’s Congolese cellco

India’s Bharti Airtel is looking to expand its African footprint and is said to be in talks to buy Warid Group’s mobile network in the Republic of Congo.

Sources close to the negotiations told media in India that the nature of the deal is to be finalised but the two companies have agreed for a strategic partnership in Congo.

Meetings have also been held with government officials in Congo to reassure them about the potential transaction and seek regulatory approval.

Regulatory approval is especially important as a previous deal by Warid to sell the local network to the Essar Group collapsed due to regulatory difficulties.

Sources added that there are other companies eyeing the Congolese mobile network.