MultiChoice Nigeria has received official clearance to hand over Orbicom’s electronic communications and radio frequency spectrum licences to Canal+.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) on August 28, 2025, approved the transfer, with the announcement made public on September 18. Orbicom, MultiChoice’s signal distribution arm, had applied to shift control of its Electronic Communications Service (I-ECS), Individual Electronic Communications Network Services (I-ECNS), and Radio Frequency Spectrum licences to Canal+ back in November 2024.
The licences enable the holder to build and operate electronic communication networks, provide services via owned or third-party infrastructures, and utilize specific radio frequencies within designated areas. Icasa conducted a thorough review focusing on consumer interests, sector competition, and compliance with ownership regulations involving Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDPs), who are set to hold 40% of Canal+’s shares.
This milestone clears a major hurdle in Canal+’s planned R55 billion (approx. $3.17 billion) acquisition of MultiChoice, which currently owns a 45.2% stake.
To align with local Empowerment rules, MultiChoice is restructuring by creating LicenceCo, a separate entity that will be majority-owned by HDPs and employees. This move ensures adherence to the 30% Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) ownership requirement and includes a special dividend payment of R1.375 billion to HDP shareholders.
