Senegalese telecoms service provider Sonatel has reported an 11% rise in net income for the year ended 31 December 2012 to XOF171 billion (USD349 million), from XOF154 billion in FY2011, on revenue that climbed 4.3% to XOF663 billion. The operator said that it was able to use its dominant position in the market to fight off stiff competition from a number of alternative operators. Profits were further bolstered by the ending of a surtax on international voice calls in the country – its primary market – which helped fuel EBITDA, which rose 3.7% to XOF347 billion last year. EBITDA margin was 52%, down one percentage point on FY2011, but in line with its target of >50% for fiscal 2012.
The carrier, which is 42.3% owned by France Telecom-Orange (FT-Orange), is present in Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau and reported solid growth in each country – as well as in Senegal. By the end of 2012, Sonatel claimed its operation in Mali had a 64% share of the market (up 4% year-on-year), while it had a 63% share in Senegal (+2%), 34% of the Guinea market (up 4%) and 39% in Guinea-Bissau (up 2%). For 2013, Sonatel plans to focus its efforts on controlling operational costs, while looking to expand into other emerging markets in the region.