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Telecommunications in Sudan
PREPAID BY: DAOUD ADAM
CEO, GREENWAY COMM. PHILADELPHIA USA
Revolutionary advances in information and communications technologies (ICT) are transforming the world economy and presenting new challenges to all countries. The challenges are to compete effectively in an emerging information-based economy in which computing and communications play a central role, as well as to take full advantage of the enormous potential of information and communications in advancing all aspects of economic, social and cultural life.
Sudan is no exception. The Sudanese government has emphasized that economic reform is inseparable from social reform and that the highest priorities for the coming development phase are the reduction of unemployment, the growth of exports and the modernization of education. Realizing how a strong communications and information technology sector would contribute to high and sustainable economic growth for the Sudanese economy, the government is adopting the development of information and communications technology as a national priority.
The formation of the new Ministry of Communications & Information Technology (MCIT) in October 1996 marked a new era for Sudan’s telecommunications and information technology sector characterized by a new regulatory framework and a more liberalized market. A new National ICT Plan has been adopted to create an export-driven, private sector-led ICT market. The plan focuses on providing a state-of-the-art national telecommunications network and human resources development to enhance Sudan’s competitiveness in the global market.
Sudanese fixed-line telecommunication services are among the fastest growing in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In 1999, Sudan’s telecommunications revenue from the fixed-line network amounted to $100 million, representing 2 percent of total GDP. This ranked Sudan second after Saudi Arabia in the Arab region, second after South Africa in the African region and fourth after Turkey, and Saudi Arabia in the MENA region. In 2000, Sudan’s revenue from the provision of all telecommunications services reached $120 million .The rapid growth of the GSM market in Sudan is largely responsible for the high overall growth in revenue since it represents approximately 40 percent of the total revenue. Mobile services, introduced into the Sudanese market in 1996, have become the largest private sector investment in the country’s telecommunications sector reaching a penetration level of approximately 3.7 percent.
This study is a comprehensive overview of the Sudanese telecommunications sector, highlighting the changes that took place with the formation of the Ministry of Communications in October 1999. It also covers the recent development of telecommunications infrastructure, which is reflected in indicators, such as main telephone lines, teledensity, payphones, service subscribers and mobile services. The study aims to assist potential investors in understanding the telecommunications market and guide them in exploring untapped investment opportunities.

Sector Highlights • The Ministry of Communications is the policymaker, Sudatel (st) is the service provider and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is the regulator in the Sudanese telecommunications sector • The telecommunications market in Sudan is valued at $500 million • Sudatel (st) is Sudan’s largest public sector company in terms of staffing and financial activity • Teledensity in Sudan has reached 9 percent, while the mobile penetration rate is 3.8 percent, indicating a high growth potential • Mobile communications in Sudan represent the largest private sector investment in the sector and a strong component of its overall growth • The Mobitel, and CDMA Wireless Local Loop projects are all public-private partnerships with Sudatel. • Telecommunications equipment and services is a priority sector for U.S. business in Sudan, accounting for 87 percent of Sudan import market through third party and ranking second in best-prospect listings for U.S. exports

Note: The complete package of this study is available upon request with special Terms and condition.

Please call or write to: Greenway comm. Inc. 4514 Baltimore Ave Philadelphia Pa 19143 U S A Attn: Mr., Daoud Adam Tel: 001215-722-2618 Fax: 001270-633-5762