Mobile Operators

MTN
AVP principals were responsible for making a R100 million investment in MTN and raising an additional R300 million to fund a black empowerment consortium's acquisition of SBC's stake in MTN. AVP principals were also involved as a lead arranger in the US$123 million international syndicated loan for MTN's network expansion.

In addition, AVP principals developed and executed investment opportunities in the mobile cellular and satellite sectors, including the acquisition of cellular service providers into MTN in South Africa, and the development of GSM licenses opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nokia
AVP principals acted as the lead advisor to Nokia on its entry strategy for the third cellular license in South Africa. This included negotiating with the bid companies, including Cell-C, structuring indicative terms for vendor and international project financing, and negotiating terms and funding structure for the black empowerment shareholders.

Plessey (Pty) Ltd
AVP principals developed and implemented Plessey's strategy and business plans for its entry into the cellular industry in South Africa as a Service Provider. This included finding a joint venture partner, negotiating commercial arrangements and securing Board approval for the investment.

Fixed Line Operators

Telkom SA
AVP principals, as the Value-Added Partner in the Black Economic Empowerment consortium which purchased the 15% stake in Telkom South Africa for $1 billion from South Western Bell Corporation (SBC), developed the African growth strategy for the company.

Zynex Ltd
For this Lusaka-based national payphone operator, AVP was engaged to write a business strategy, conduct a comprehensive market study, and redesign network architecture in order to recapitalize the company.

Broadband Data / ISP

Accelon
Accelon, the Broadband Service Provider, was conceived and developed by its founding shareholder, AVP.  Luxembourg based SES Global SA, the world’s largest satellite operator, and the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC) joined the shareholder base.  The funding requirement for this business was $30 million, and the business now operates in 6 African countries. www.accelonafrica.com

Vodacom Group (Pty) Ltd
AVP was mandated to develop a strategic plan for Vodacom World Online, SA's second largest Internet Service Provider. Subsequently mandated to dispose of Vodacom's 40% shareholding in the company.

IP Networks

Cisco Systems
AVP just recently completed a multi-country African research project for the world’s largest IP networks company.  The project involved a strategic review and primary research in selected countries across the continent.

VSAT Service Providers

African Continental Telecommunications Ltd
AVP principals were engaged by this geostationary satellite operator to establish operating entities for pan-African telecommunications service, and to negotiate and execute licenses and operating agreements. AVP handled all corporate and regulatory affairs for this company, and then successfully negotiated the sale to a US based corporation, at a valuation of R250 million.

Zimbabwe Posts and Telecommunications Company
AVP negotiated and executed a joint venture agreement with a global satellite operator, providing for the rollout of VSAT based business services.

Orbicom (Pty) Ltd
AVP principals were engaged to develop strategic and operating plans, and to represent the company in its expansion into Africa. This supported the overall plan to reposition the company from a signal distributor to a telecommunications operator.