Palestine’s Wataniya Mobile has announced its plans to sell 15% of its share via an IPO, raising US$50.3 million in the process.
According to the company, the offer period for shares will take place between 7 November and 2 December, and will be followed by a listing on the Palestine stock exchange.
Wataniya is Palestine’s second mobile operator, having launched services in competition with Jawwal, part of incumbent operator Paltel, in November 2009. As of the end of September, the company had 302,404 subscribers, up from 110,835 at the start of the year, which it claims equates to a market share of 19% in the West Bank.
As per the company, the telco is licensed to provide mobile services in both the West Bank and Gaza, and it plans to expand its network to the latter as soon as is practicable. To date, the political situation in the region has made such a move impossible.
According to Bassam Hannoun, CEO of Wataniya Mobile, the company feels they have a very exciting time ahead, and look forward to welcoming new investors to join them as they continue to grow their community of customers in Palestine.
