Bharti-MTN merger awaits nod from competition authorities

The proposed $23-billion strategic equity alliance between Bharti Airtel and South Africa's MTN will require clearance from the competition authorities of both countries, a person with direct knowledge of the deal said.

According to South African laws, its government must be notified of any deal on mergers before the proposed transaction is implemented. Then, if the deal creates an equity, whose combined annual turnover or assets are more than 560 million rand ($67.97 million), it will have to be investigated and cleared by the competition authorities, this executive added.