SkyVision acquires Afinis - African VSAT

BY EDMUND SMITH-ASANTE

SkyVision Global Networks Ltd., a leading global provider of IP connectivity over satellite and fibre optic networks throughout Africa, has announced its acquisition of Afinis Communication SA (“Afinis”) from Monaco Telecom SAM (“Monaco Telecom”), a subsidiary of Cable & Wireless Communications Plc (“CWC”). 

With this purchase, SkyVision will own all Afinis’ local offices and licensing in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Senegal, which will from henceforth carry the SkyVision brand.   

Announcing the deal Monday, August 6, 2012, through a press release issued in Hertfordshire, United-Kingdom, SkyVision said Afinis will bring complementary and valuable capabilities to the company, providing immediate benefits to its potential and existing customer base.

“Afinis’ strong presence in Africa’s French speaking countries is complementary to SkyVision’s market leading position in Nigeria, East, Central and Southern Africa,” the company stated.

It is envisaged that this transaction will further reinforce SkyVision’s strategy of developing a continent wide local presence, in view of the strong influence of Afinis’ local offices, licensing and support abilities.

Afinis is a leading provider of connectivity solutions in francophone Africa, specialising in direct sales to corporate market segments focusing on markets such as Energy, Mining, Finance as well as Telcos and International Institutions.

Commenting on the acquisition, Doron Ben-Sira, CEO of SkyVision Global Networks, said 

 "Afinis is a leader in the francophone market where it has built a strong market presence and a deep understanding of corporate market requirements. Our vision is to leverage Afinis’ extensive knowledge, particularly in Oil & Gas, mining and financial services. We look forward to welcoming the Afinis team into SkyVision and to continue offering customers the superior service they are accustomed to.”

He further stated: "Following our recently established subsidiary, SkyVision South Africa, the acquisition supports SkyVision's goal of firmly establishing the company as one of largest satellite operators in emerging markets offering true Pan-African coverage and presence." 

Also making a remark on the deal, Denis Martin, CEO of CWC’s Monaco & Islands business, said: "I'm delighted about the prospects for Afinis as part of the SkyVision Group. SkyVision has built a good reputation for satellite communications in Africa, and Afinis customers will benefit from the combined business' increased scale and strong customer service."

SkyVision has a connectivity network spanning 100 countries, has solutions that combine global reach with active local presence and support and customers including incumbent telecoms, ISPs, cellular operators, global and local enterprises, government entities and NGOs.

On the other hand, Afinis’ services include fully managed network solutions over a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network and value added services such as cellular backhauling, voiceover internet protocol connectivity and security.