Senegal’s national PTO Sonatel has reported a 15% year-on-year increase in net profit to XOF87.02 billion (USD160.3 million) for the six months ended 30 June 2012, on revenue which rose to XOF323.61 billion from XOF312.25 billion in the corresponding period of 2011. In a statement published on the web site of the local stock exchange, Sonatel said: ‘Control over operational charges in Senegal contributed to the improvement in revenue margins, despite the impact from increased competition, the crisis in Mali and unfavourable regulations in Senegal and Mali’.
According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Sonatel is owned by France Telecom-Orange (42.30%) and the government of Senegal (27.15%). The remaining 30.55% is in the hands of employees and private individuals. Following an amendment of the shareholders’ agreement between FT-Orange and the Senegalese government, Sonatel was fully consolidated in the French telco’s results from 1 July 2005.