Telecom

Mali: Court of Appeal upholds $284.2 million fine in voicemail billing case

Mali: Court of Appeal upholds $284.2 million fine in voicemail billing case
Friday, 17 March 2023 04:33

Since 2021, telecom operators Moov Africa and Orange have taken several initiatives and actions to overturn a decision by the Bamako Court of Appeal condemning them to pay heavy fines.  The actions notably led to a strike in February 2022. 

Telecom operators Moov Africa Malitel and Orange Mali must pay CFAF176 billion ($284.2 million) to the Malian telecom consumers’ association RECOTEM. The two telecom operators are accused of having billed their customers for calls that went to voicemails. The decision, initially handed down in 2021, was confirmed by the Supreme Court of Mali on Monday 13 March 2023.

According to the verdict, Moov Africa Malitel will have to pay CFAF 56.5 billion to RECOTEM while Orange Mali will pay CFAF 115.3 billion. The two operators will also have to pay CFAF 1.5 billion to the consumer rights association as damages.

 RECOTEM is seeking justice in the case dubbed “ facturation du répondeur” (voicemail billing) since 2012. The case was initially dismissed by the court with the  Malian telecom regulator AMRTP deeming the practice legal and complied with the principle of tariff freedom provided for by enforceable regulations. 

The association finally won its case in November 2021, before the Bamako Court of Appeal. Since then, the local telecom operators’ union has taken action to overturn the “unfair” court decision condemning the country's two main mobile operators. The actions included sit-ins, strike action, negotiations with the authorities, and an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Adama Traoré, president of RECOTEM said he was satisfied with the decision. He also indicated that the fines would be invested in development projects to create jobs for the youth and women, contributing to the fight against illegal immigration and reducing the harm caused by illegal gold mining.

Isaac K. Kassouwi

On the same topic
5G penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa stands at 1.2% despite $28 billion in operator investments over five years. High smartphone and data plan...
• One Network Area to slash roaming costs for mobile data—just $0.005/MB—making cross-border internet access as cheap as home.• New tech like e-SIMs...
• The campaign will run from September 2025 to September 2026 across all 16 regions.• The government inaugurated the Ghana Association of Privacy...
• Tunisia will launch 138 digital transformation projects between 2025 and 2026, covering administration, economy, cybersecurity, and infrastructure.•...
Most Read
01

From Dakar to Nairobi, Kampala to Abidjan, mobile money has become a lifeline for millions of Africa...

Africa's Boundless Future: How a simple mobile phone became a pocket bank for millions
02

Airtel Gabon, Moov sign deal to share telecom infrastructure Agreement aims to cut costs, boo...

Gabon’s Airtel, Moov to Share Towers Under Govt-Brokered Deal
03

• WAEMU posts 0.9% deflation in July, second month in a row• Food, hospitality prices drop; alcohol,...

WAEMU Region Records Second Straight Month of Deflation, at -0.9% in July 
04

Malawi votes in high-stakes presidential election Tuesday Economic crisis, inflation dominate vot...

Malawi’s Election Puts Incumbent Chakwera to the Test on Inflation and Fuel Shortages
05

Vision Invest invests $700m in Arise IIP, Africa’s largest private infrastructure deal in 202...

Saudi Arabia’s 2025 Shopping List Now Includes Industrial Parks in Africa — With a $700 Million Entry Ticket
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.