Blocked Vodacom merger derails South African telcos M&A push, analysts say

The Competition Tribunal's decision to block a merger between Vodacom and a major fibre operator will likely derail a push by South African telecoms firms to use big M&A deals as a shortcut to digital infrastructure expansion, analysts said. The ruling, which blocked South Africa's top telco from taking a 30% stake in major fibre operator Maziv, could force companies to build their own networks or pursue smaller, less controversial tie-ups, delaying much-needed investment by years.