West African telecoms company Globacom has become the latest member of the Vodafone Partner Markets community which has extended to 57 countries in six continents. The new, non-equity partnership agreement between Vodafone and Globacom covers Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

Vodafone and Globacom have committed to work together and leverage mobile, voice and data products to enhance user experience for individual consumers and business customers.

Vodafone Partner Markets Chief Executive Stefano Gastaut said: "We are delighted to welcome Globacom to the Vodafone Partner Markets community which now spans 57 countries across six continents. This strategic partnership with Globacom for Nigeria and the Republic of Benin will help deliver enhanced roaming benefits for Globacom's consumer and multinational corporate customers, including countries where we have an ultra-fast 4G network. Vodafone will gain from Globacom's expertise and deep understanding of African markets."

Globacom's Executive Director for Special Projects, Mike Jituboh said: "This partnership is unique and far-reaching, giving corporate and individual subscribers on the Globacom network in Nigeria and the Republic of Benin an edge, particularly in voice and data services. The partnership is in line with Globacom's tradition of partnering with global leaders to avail consumers of the best telecommunications services."

According to the partners, Globacom subscribers in the two markets will be able to access improved and affordable telecoms services.

Globacom's Group Executive Director, Bella Disu, said: "The partnership is something that both telecoms companies have been yearning for. Globacom is known to be a leader of innovations and we really have the hunger to increase our subscriber experience to the highest level possible. Vodafone has the scale; it has the experience and we both have the same customer-obsession to make that experience even better for our customers. We are very excited."

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Thomas Arkwright described the partnership as a significant landmark.

"The Globacom-Vodafone relationship is in continuation of decades of partnership between Nigeria and United Kingdom, which has manifested in over two million people of Nigerian descent living in the UK, 18,000 Nigerian students studying there and five Nigerians serving as members of Parliament," he said.