Angola is making progress on efforts to open up its telecommunications industry to private investors, amid ongoing attention on the fourth telecoms license and privatisation of several firms, including Angola Telecom.

According to a report Angola-Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses, released by WiseGuyReports.com this month, President Joao Lourenco's administration has "started the process of opening up the telecom sector" to new competitors and investors.

In August 2019 the government said state telecommunications companies earmarked for privatisation include Unitel (in which MS Telecom has a 20% stake), MS Telecom, and Angola Telecom.

Cable TV Angola, Angola Cables, National Post and Telegraph Company of Angola (ENCTA), Angola and Communications Systems (ACS) and Company telephone Directories of Angola (ELTA) are included on this list.

Fourth license

Auditing firm KPMG is understood to have been appointed to manage the bidding process related to a fourth telecoms licence.

Angola's Finance Ministry stated: "The tender procedure will be carried out in the platform of the National Electronic Public Contracting System, to best ensure the tender's transparency, efficiency and effectiveness."

KPMG was selected as the service provider by a steering committee comprising representatives from various ministries.

The Angolan unit of KPMG is also expected to help attract international investors to bid for the telecom licence.

Earlier this year, President Lourenco nullified the awarding of the licence to Angolan company Telstar Telecomunicacoes.

Africell one of several telecommunication firms to have expressed interest in the license.

Government officials say the 45% interest that will be put up for sale in Angola Telecom is worth an estimated US$500-million.

Angola's Telecoms and IT Minister Jose Carvalho da Rocha has previously said the price tag for the stake takes into consideration the telco's real estate assets, telecoms infrastructure and holdings in companies across tech and banking sectors.

The unified licensing regime introduced in late 2017 has allowed for two additional licensees to operator across all sectors, with one of these up for grabs this year as the fourth licensee.