Company: Lumitel, Bujumbura, Burundi
Company Description: Lumitel is a mobile communications company, providing voice, messaging, data and communication services in Burundi. Founded in 2013, Lumitel launched its service in May 2015. It provides services to over 3 million users. Lumitel became the largest operator in Burundi within 1 month of operation. Lumitel began setting up a 4G LTE system in Burundi in 2016.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Telecommunications - Medium-size
 Nomination Title: Lumitel
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since 1 January 2022, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 162 words used.
Located in Central Africa, Burundi is a small landlocked hilly country with 27,800 km2 of area and 10.5 million population. Being one of the poorest nations in Africa, 90% of Burundi’s population lives on agriculture. In March 2015, Viettel in Burundi provided telecom services under brand name of Lumitel.
The tailor-made strategy has successfully turned Lumitel from a freshman to a dominant player in the Burundi market. So far, its subscribers reached over 5 million, accounting for 64% of market share, becoming one of the leading operators in Burundi.
By 2025, Lumitel aims to be Burundi's leading digital technology and telecommunications firm, spearheading innovation, digital transformation, and new technology. To achieve this, Lumitel will continue expanding and evolving, fostering the growth of the country's digital economy. This vision includes enhancing digital infrastructure and offering cutting-edge services that cater to the needs of Burundians, thereby ensuring that Lumitel not only maintains but also strengthens its leadership position in the telecommunications sector.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 119 words used.
1. Lumitel is the only network operator committed to and make continuous investments of tens of millions of USD/year in network infrastructure to ensure coverage of 97% of the territory, 1.5 times higher than the 2nd ranked network;
2. Provide telecommunications to the people of Burundi even though Lumitel is the largest network operator, it still sets voice and data rates 5% cheaper than the second competitor (with evidence);
3. Lumitel business results in 2023: Service revenue grows at the highest 36%, subscribers grow at a cumulative 178%, reaching over 5 million mobile subscribers, number 1 mobile market share 64%, the data subscription market share is over 80%, the number 1 fixed subscriber market share is nearly 50%.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 243 words used.
Changing Burundi's telecom sector
In 2015, there were one million mobile users in Burundi; the country's mobile penetration rate was just 10% of the total population density. The country's mobile service is limited to 2G; it lacks Internet access and a 4G data network.
By 2023, 71% of people in working age and close to 45% of the population will have access to mobile services. More than a million users have signed up for 3G and 4G Internet service; this represents a density of almost 10% of the total population.
The price is appropriate for everyone.
Provide telecommunications to the people of Burundi even though Lumitel is the largest network operator, it still sets voice and data rates 5% cheaper than the second competitor (with evidence);
Favourably influence the nation's economic growth
On average, Lumitel adds 4% of its GDP to Burundi each year and is consistently ranked first among companies with the largest budgets paid to the country.
Efficient operations for businesses
In 2023, Service revenue grows at the highest 36%, subscribers grow at a cumulative 178%, reaching over 5 million mobile subscribers, number 1 mobile market share 64%, the data subscription market share is over 80%, the number 1 fixed subscriber market share is nearly 50%.
Advancing the country's digital economy and spearheading new technology
Lumitel is not only a booming network in telecommunications but also the first and best ecosystem development company in Burundi with services: diverse, pioneering and widespread.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 239 words used.
Viettel Burundi, under the Lumitel brand, has significantly transformed Burundi's telecommunications sector. With an infrastructure nearly twice as extensive as the second-largest network operator, Lumitel is the nation's largest provider. Despite global economic challenges and inflation in 2022-2023, Lumitel remains the only operator investing tens of millions of USD annually in network infrastructure, ensuring 97% territorial coverage, 1.5 times higher than its nearest competitor. Lumitel's 2G network has 1.5 times the capacity of its closest rival, the 3G network has 3.2 times the capacity, and the 4G network boasts six times the capacity. This competitive edge is reinforced by a comprehensive array of technologies and dominant coverage. Beyond traditional telecom services, Lumitel offers innovative ICT solutions, digital television, and digital content services. It introduced Burundi's first LumiLOTO electronic lottery service and promotes ICT services such as ServerCloud server reservations, SMSBrandName, IPCC, and LumiTV business. Lumitel plans to launch 5G technology soon and introduce new services like the LumiSOKO e-commerce platform and a mobile taxi-hailing application. By 2025, Lumitel aims to be Burundi's leading digital technology and telecommunications firm, spearheading innovation, digital transformation, and new technology. To achieve this, Lumitel will continue expanding and evolving, fostering the growth of the country's digital economy. This vision includes enhancing digital infrastructure and offering cutting-edge services that cater to the needs of Burundians, thereby ensuring that Lumitel not only maintains but also strengthens its leadership position in the telecommunications sector.
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