Vodafone has announced that it now owns 100 percent of its Indian subsidiary, Vodafone India Limited (“VIL”).
In March 2014, Vodafone completed the acquisition of indirect equity interests in VIL held by Analjit Singh and Neelu Analjit Singh, taking its stake to 89.03% of VIL. On Friday, Vodafone acquired the remaining 10.97% of VIL from Piramal Enterprises Limited. The combined cash consideration for both transactions was INR 10,142 crores (£1.0 billion1).
The Foreign Investment Promotion Board approved both acquisitions on 20 February 2014, following receipt of the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
Vittorio Colao, CEO of Vodafone Group, said “We are delighted to have secured 100% ownership of one of our fastest growing businesses. Vodafone is strongly committed to India and we have invested significantly over many years to bring communications to millions of people for the first time. Our business will continue to connect communities and offer the best products and services – from entertainment to our innovative money transfer service, M-Pesa – to enhance the lives of Indians throughout the country.”
Since Vodafone acquired its original interest in India from Hutchison in 2007, VIL’s customer base has grown around 550%, from 30 million to just over 164 million customers. VIL is a truly pan-Indian business, operating in all 22 circles and providing employment to nearly 100,000 people directly and indirectly across the country.
There are now over 7,800 Vodafone stores and mini stores throughout India and the company’s operations support a distribution chain of over 1.6 million small businesses and recharging outlets. VIL is also opening a number of new “Angel” stores, which are run and managed exclusively by women.
