30 October 2009
JSE-listed IT firm Dimension Data has acquired a 51% stake in Moroccan telecommunication infrastructure services company Telcom for an undisclosed sum, thus extending the company’s footprint in the region.
The company, to be acquired through Dimension Data’s Middle East and Africa business, will immediately be rebranded as Dimension Data Maroc, and plans are afoot to grow the business in the local IT marketplace.
“[The] acquisition of a majority stake in Telcom enhances our plans to be represented in the four corners of emerging Africa,” Dimension Data Middle East and Africa chairman Andile Ngcaba said in a statement this week.
“Morocco has a relatively well-developed ICT sector, as evidenced by the high mobile and internet penetration rates. In addition, its proximity to large EU markets, and the nature of what is essentially a services-driven economy, has also contributed to a vibrant and growing sector.”
The company’s entry into the Kingdom of Morocco brings the number of employees in the Dimension Data Emerging Africa territory to around 600 employees and the Dimension Data Middle East and Africa group, incorporating South Africa, to over 5 000 employees.
Dimension Data’s Algerian business, which has been operating under its European operation for the past five years, will be placed under the Middle East and Africa business as part of the group’s North Africa plan.
Dimension Data Maroc
Dimension Data Maroc will initially operate out of offices in Temara – close to Rabat – and Casablanca, with plans to grow its core business, as well as introduce data centre and storage offerings in the region.
According to Ngcaba, major companies such as Microsoft and Cisco have committed their support to growing market share in the region together with Dimension Data.
“Dimension Data will also provide the personnel, skills, systems, and technology support to ensure the Morocco business grows effectively,” he said. “In addition, the group will contribute its sales and delivery expertise, and deep experience in public sector markets for the region’s services offerings.”
A recent Interactive Data Corporation report indicates the total ICT sector size at close to US$4.8-billion growing over the next three years at 4.8% annually. Of this overall ICT market, just over $1-billion relates to IT products and services growing at 6.9% annually.
“The management and our 130-strong team of employees are delighted to be part of a global organisation,” said Telcom MD Reda Meziane Belfkih. “We have built up a solid reputation in the market since it was founded in 2000, and look forward to taking the business to a new level together with Dimension Data.”
SAinfo reporter
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