Mauritanian mobile phone company Mattel announced last week the completion of a two-year telecom network expansion campaign. The initiative allows the telecom operator to improve its network coverage in a country that has a network coverage score of 43.3 out of 100, according to the Global Mobile Connectivity Index 2023 of the Global Association of Mobile Phone Operators (GSMA).
The project was carried out in two phases. The first, completed in November 2023, focused on strengthening the network in 266 sites. The second, finalized in September 2024, expanded the network to 217 additional sites, covering all regional capitals and districts in the country. In addition, Mattel strengthened the coverage of five major road axes in Mauritania.
“ Mattel has also actively contributed to the implementation of the national universal access strategy, by ensuring the operation of the network dedicated to covering the southern border area of the country with telephone and Internet services, ranging from the Ndiago region to Ould Yengé ,” the company added in a statement.
According to the GSMA, 96.7% of Mauritania’s 4.93 million inhabitants are covered by the 2G network. The 3G and 4G networks cover 72% and 12% of the Mauritanian population respectively. In terms of usage, Mauritania had 5.4 million subscribers for a penetration rate of 124% according to the latest available statistics from the Regulatory Authority (ARE). However, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) indicates that the rate of people owning a mobile phone in the country is 61.3%.
By expanding its network coverage, Mattel is positioning itself to capture a share of the Mauritanian population still deprived of telecom services. This potential clientele could strengthen its competitiveness in a market where Mauritel, a subsidiary of Maroc Telecom, dominated with a 52% market share as of September 30, 2023. Although current figures for Mattel and its other competitor, Chinguitel, are not available, the latest data from the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Administrative Reform dating from 2019 give them 21% and 27% market shares, respectively. Mauritel’s market share has remained stable since then.
Source: Agency EcoFin
