China Telecom Global (CTG), a subsidiary of China Telecom Corporation Limited – one of the world’s largest providers of integrated telecommunication services, and Liquid Telecom, a leading pan-African telecoms group, announced today the signing of a historic strategic partnership whereby the two companies will collaborate to provide Africa and Asia with industry-leading network solutions and services.

The agreement will enable both companies to serve their respective enterprise and wholesale customers with extended network coverage across some of the fastest growing economies in the two regions.

China Telecom Global has already established a Point-of-Presence (PoP) at Liquid Telecom’s East Africa Data Centre in Nairobi, and will establish further PoPs at its data centre facilities in Johannesburg and Cape Town. CTG and Liquid Telecom will also continue to explore joint service opportunities under the partnership.

Commenting on the agreement, Changhai Liu, Managing Director of China Telecom (Africa and Middle East) Limited, said: “With more than 50 countries in the region, Africa is nonetheless the booming new market with the highest development rate just after Asia, and a very important market for CTG. This collaboration will enable both CTG and Liquid Telecom better serve our customers and explore untapped business potential for further development. Under this partnership, we are well positioned to enhance the connectivity and network infrastructure in both regions.”

“This partnership with China Telecom Global reflects the strong global demand for world-class network services across Africa. Our combined service and network capabilities will be of great value to multinationals operating in some of the fastest growing economies across Africa and Asia-Pacific,” said Willem Marais, Group Chief Business Development Officer, Liquid Telecom.

A signing ceremony was held at Liquid Telecom’s Johannesburg office and was attended by senior representatives from both companies, including China Telecom Global’s EVP Donald Tan, China Telecom (Africa and Middle East)’s MD Changhai Liu, Liquid Telecom’s Group CEO Nic Rudnick and Liquid Telecom’s Group Chief Business Development Officer Willem Marais.