Orange, Vodacom Are Said in Talks on African Network Deals (1)

Vodacom Group Ltd. is in discussions with France’s Orange SA about a strategic partnership in Africa to explore infrastructure deals to help keep down costs on the continent, people familiar with the matter said.

The telecommunications companies are looking at agreements in overlapping markets including Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and reviewing where there are other opportunities to work together, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.

The talks involve potential agreements to share infrastructure and jointly build connectivity to rural areas, they said. No final decisions have been ...