Zain Rebrands to Airtel

By Nicholas Tago

NAIROBI---After the July acquisition of 16 Zain operations in Africa, Bharti Airtel, a leading telecommunications service provider,   today unveiled the Airtel brand in the 16 countries including Kenya.

Following this rebranding, Airtel becomes the master brand of all the group’s 19 operations in Asia and Africa covering over 200 million customers. Simultaneously, Zain’s money transfer service was also rebranded Airtel money with immediate effect. Other new products and services will also follow the Airtel brand structure.

Jayant Khosla, Bharti Airtel’s CEO for Anglophone Africa said Africa was on the threshold of unprecedented change.

“Through mobile telephony  and through our innovative products and services, the problem of digital divide is set to go away as mobile penetration increases every year”, said Jayant.

Due to its strategic location, Kenya was chosen as Bharti Airtel’s Africa headquarters. Jayant said the recent partnership between Bharti Airtel and IBM will result in technology transfer and job creation.

Bharti Airtel International CEO and Joint managing Director Manoj Kohli said the rebranding now brings together all the firm’s operations under a single, strong and unique identity.

“We can deliver more for our customers by operating as a single brand across Africa to fulfill our vision of providing affordable and innovative mobile services for all customers. The new youthful identity will be the most loved brand in the daily lives of African people for years to come.

Bharti Airtel Kenya Managing Director Rene Meza said through its innovative products, Airtel will become the most popular brand.

“We shall also continue with our CSR activities, especially the education of children. Airtel will also make a positive impact in the communities in which we operate through extending our network to rural areas”, Meza said.

Following its acquisition by Bharti Airtel, Zain ignited a major price war by slashing its call charges by more than half. Other operators had no option but to follow suit.

Bharti Airtel Limited, listed at the Bombay Stock Exchange and formerly known as Bharti Tele-Ventures LTD (BTVL) is an Indian company offering telecommunication services in 19 countries. It is the world’s third largest single-country mobile operator and the fifth largest telecom operator in the world with a subscriber base of over 200 million.