Telecommunications and ISP in the Sudan, Sudatel Telecom Group (STG) plans to boost its investment in domestic and Pan-African operations following increased 2016/17 revenues and profits.

The company's latest financial statement detail plans for continued expansion of infrastructure across West Africa.

According to the statement, STG has increased revenues to US$252 million in H1 2017, up 8% from H1-2016, and its gross profit also increased by 22% from US$87 million in H1 2016 to US$106 million in H1 2017.

"We have a well thought through long-term investment plan that will enable us to maintain growth. We will continue to work hard to ensure that we maintain our position," says Tarig Hamza Zain El Abdein, CEO of Sudatel.

The company says the increases were achieved despite increasing competition in the North African telecom market; a drop in the disposable incomes of the Sudanese; and foreign exchange rate fluctuations experienced in some countries where it operates.

"However, these negative effects are lessened by a steady and reasonable share of its revenues denominated in local currencies; meanwhile it is expected that economic instability will lessen in Sudan in the future due to the easing of US sanctions," the company notes.

Sudatel emphasises its position as a strategic telecoms role player in the region, enabling the connection of Africa and the Middle East to the rest of the world, given Sudan's geographic location.

The telco says over the past year, it has continued to heavily invest in its domestic and pan-African operations as demand for telecom services across the region continues to grow. It says it has expanded and upgraded its fibre network and launched a number of new products and services targeted at specific market segments.

According to the company's website, its main services include the provision of mobile, fixed-line, as well as carrier and wholesales services. It provides services in 2G, 3G, and NGN technology levels expanding to a growing number of cities and rural areas in the region.

The company runs a telecom business in countries, including Sudan, Mauritania, Senegal and Guinea Conakry covering the areas of mobile, fixed, internet and broadband services.

Sudatel says it contributes 13% in the submarine cable to east Africa extending from Port Sudan to Cape Town, linking 13 countries in the eastern coast of Africa and owns 50% of SAS1 and SAS2.

It says it is also linked with Ethiopia and Egypt via the fibre optic network.