Strive Masiyiwa is set to take Botswana mobile network operator, Mascom, public. Masiyiwa had previously stated that he will take the company public after buying back MTN's stake in it. The condition was met last month when he reached a deal to buy back MTN's stake, originally sold for $70m, for $300m. Mascom's public listing will follow the trend of telcos going public in other African countries, the latest being MTN Nigeria. Although telcos do so mainly due to pressure from governments, Mascom doesn't appear to be under such pressure. Mascom holds 50% of the market share in Botswana.
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