Telecom equipment maker Ericsson will manage mobile operator Orange Botswana's network operations.

The two companies have entered into a multi-year managed services agreement, which is expected to improve the Orange Botswana's service delivery.

"This agreement with Ericsson reflects our long-standing partnership, and our ongoing commitment to deliver on a simple promise: to be first for service, value, and innovation," said Philippe Baudin, chief executive officer of Orange Botswana.

The deal will see Ericsson assume responsibility of the operational management and field maintenance of Orange Botswana's network infrastructure.

"This is an effort by Orange to optimise its network and IT operations with the aim to further improve quality of service and customer experience."

Meanwhile 27 technical employees from Orange Botswana joined Ericsson following the decision to outsource technical services.

Orange Botswana's competitors include Mascom and BeMobile, a new entrant into the market.

Ericsson has won other key network management contracts in Africa this year.

In August, Vodafone Egypt signed a three-year managed services agreement with Ericsson to boost its connectivity and network quality coverage in Cairo.

And in February, Ericsson signed a service agreement with MTN Nigeria to take over the Nigerian telco's day-to-day operations of 75% of its network.