Mafab Communications Limited is a newcomer tech firm that competed with the two mobile giants in the Nigeria 5G auction.
Gatekeepers News reports that Mafab Communications Limited is owned by the Chairman of Althani Group Dr. Musbahu Mohammad Bashir.
Mafab came into the limelight on December 1, when the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced it alongside MTN Nigeria Limited, Airtel Networks Ltd, as the three final successful bidders in Monday’s 5G auction.
Gatekeepers News earlier reported that the three bidders set for the historic race for the soul of 5G in Nigeria as they bid for two licences on offer by NCC at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja. However, the newbie kicked Airtel out of the 11th round. The reserved bid price was initially $197.4 million, it was, however, moved repeatedly by the auction manager, and it finally reached $275,904,886.25 at round 11.
At the assignment stage, Mafab offered $11,120,000 and was awarded slot two at no extra cost while MTN offered $15,900,00 and was assigned slot one.
The first slot (spectrum) is 3500-3600mhz while the second slot is 3700-3800mhz.
5G: Who is the Man Behind Mafab Communications Limited – Dr Musbahu Mohammad Bashir?
Mafab is one of the technology subsidiaries of Althani Group owned by Dr Musbahu Mohammad Bashir. He has been the Chairman of Althani Group of Companies, and Cobalt International Services Limited since 2004.
He has vast experience of over two decades in General Management, Leadership, and Engineering. He has attained several certifications from high-profile foreign institutions like Harvard Business School, USA, and American University, London.
He holds a Board seat in Jaiz Bank Plc “based on a major investment made in the first non–interest Bank in Nigeria” and also a Director in the following companies: Bento Drill Nigeria Limited, Offshore Technologies International Limited, and Resource Capital Group, has worked with Hammad Development Facilities and Jadai Diversified Services.
Aside being a Board Member of Jaiz Bank, Bahir is also a keen promoter of the Takaful insurance model through his Salsalam Takaful Insurance that is headquartered in Kano State, Northern Nigeria, envisioned to be “the Takaful operator of ‘First Choice’ in Nigeria” by promoting Takaful, a type of Islamic insurance where members contribute money into a pool system to guarantee each other against loss or damage based on the Islamic doctrine that individuals are responsible to cooperate and protect one another.
Althani Investment, the private equity firm of the Althani Group “provides financial backing and makes investments in the private equity of startup or operating companies through a variety of affiliated investment strategies including leveraged buyout, venture capital, and growth capital.” Aside its diversified interest across several industries, Bashir’s Althani Group technology business has subsidiaries like Mafab Communications Limited, Malband Communications Limited, and Data Analytical Platforms Limited.
The Technology Business Units Of Althani Group
Mafab Communications Limited was incorporated to transact the business of Information Technology Services and Telecommunications and was licensed to provide and operate International Data Access Services Gateway Service.
It provides International Gateway for interconnection of Voice, Video, and Data Service termination between parties. Mafab Communications also provides a platform for worldwide Interconnectivity, thereby extending its footprints into IT services, internet cafes, internet services products, hardware and software procurements, computer programmers and computer operators, and database development and management systems analysts, carry on the business of installation, maintenance, repairs and service of computers and electronic products, among others.
Malband Communications Limited, which carries out ICT Consultancy services, eLearning, research, data processing, and statistical analysis is also licensed by NCC for Value Added Services (VAS) which extends into Entertainment, Marketing, Advertising, Call Centre services, among others.
Similarly, Data Analytical Platforms Limited engages in Internet content development, maintenance, networking, and servicing of computers and contracts, artificial intelligence (AI), system manufacturing or an assembly, software development, website development, and internet service provider (ISP), IT solution providers and computer business service, among others.
In other news, Althani Group’s business interests are in several diversified subsidiaries in technology, real estate, aviation, oil, and gas. This includes Pelican Air Services Limited, Cryogenic Industries Limited, Clearview Apartments, Data Analytical Platforms Limited, Eman Homes & Estate, and Althani Investment Limited, and Takaful Insurance.
