Browsing: MTN Nigeria

A report on Thursday evening that Nigeria is playing hardball with MTN Group sent the wireless carrier’s shares tumbling more than 10% shortly after markets opened in Johannesburg on Friday.

MTN Group, facing a combined $10-billion in claims from Nigerian authorities, has said it may no longer seek to raise capital through an initial public offering on the country’s stock exchange.

MTN Group’s shares rose the most in more than six months after the Nigerian central bank softened its stance over claims that the carrier illegally transferred $8.1-billion out of the country.

Telecoms minister Siyabonga Cwele has strongly suggested that the South African government stands ready to intervene on MTN Group’s behalf over the more than $10-billion in demands placed on the telecommunications provider by Nigeria.