Ford plans push in Middle East, Africa
Ford Motor Co. will next year create a fifth business unit that encompasses its operations in the Middle East and Africa.
The Dearborn automaker, which Tuesday will announce plans to launch 17 new or refreshed Ford and Lincoln brand vehicles in those regions during the next two years, is making a strong push to increase its market share in many of the world’s smaller auto markets.
“The Middle East and Africa is poised to become one of the next big automotive growth markets and we want to be there for these customers with great new cars and trucks,” said Stephen Odell, Ford’s president of Europe, Middle East and Africa operations, in prepared remarks at the Dubai International Motor Show.
Ford on Monday didn’t disclose profit or loss forecasts for the region, but said it expects to begin reporting financial results for the business unit — based in Dubai — at the end of 2014’s first quarter.
Africa's mobile data business to be worth US$23 billion in 2018 - Bizcommunity
Findings from research commissioned by Informa Telecoms & Media in July 2013 on trends in global mobile data usage shows that the rise in digital service usage will drive Africa's mobile data business to be worth US$23 billion in 2018.
Of the 12 countries surveyed (a range of developed and developing markets), South Africans are the fourth biggest spenders, behind consumers in the US, Saudi Arabia and the UK*.
Bharti Airtel to acquire Warid Group's Congo business
Bharti Airtel, India's largest telecom company and service provider in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, announced on Tuesday that it has entered into a definitive agreement with the Warid Group to fully acquire Warid Congo SA. The agreement is subject to regulatory and statutory approvals.
Tata Africa in franchise deals to sell building equipment
Tata Africa Holdings (TAH) has entered into franchise agreements with Asian building-equipment makers to distribute their machinery and equipment throughout Africa.
TAH has signed agreements with Hitachi Construction of Japan, India's Aquarius Engineering and Traxbuild of Singapore to start selling their products in Africa in an arrangement that will also see Tata provide after-sales service and parts to customers.
