China Unicom denies involvement in Nigeria telcom sale

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The denial of China Unicom’s involvement in a $2.5 billion bid for Nigeria’s former state telecoms monopoly by the company has shadowed the African country’s biggest privatization bid. China Unicom made it clear in a statement that there is no involvement of this project from the parent company, the listed company or any subsidiary of the company.

Earlier, it was reported that a consortium involving China Unicom was the preferred bidder with a bid far higher than any of others or than many had expected. As per the National Council on Privatization, New Generation Telecommunications Ltd had become the preferred bidder for Nitel, which Nigeria has struggled to sell since liberalization in 2001 made it uncompetitive against rivals.

Nigerian government has not made any comment on China Unicom’s denial.