# C_2021348EN.01000301.xml

| 30.8.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 348/3 |
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30.8.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 348/3

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.10244 — Vodafone Group/Safaricom/Sumitomo/Ethiopia JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2021/C 348/03)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | Vodafone Group Limited (‘Vodafone Group’, U.K.), |
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Vodafone Group Limited (‘Vodafone Group’, U.K.),

| — | Safaricom Plc (‘Safaricom’, Kenya), |
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Safaricom Plc (‘Safaricom’, Kenya),

| — | Sumitomo Corporation (‘Sumitomo’, Japan), |
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Sumitomo Corporation (‘Sumitomo’, Japan),

| — | Global Partnership for Ethiopia B.V. (together with its subsidiaries, the ‘Ethiopia JV’, Ethiopia). |
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Global Partnership for Ethiopia B.V. (together with its subsidiaries, the ‘Ethiopia JV’, Ethiopia).

Vodafone Group, Safaricom and Sumitomo acquire joint control over the Ethiopia JV, a newly created full-function joint venture, within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation. The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

2.

| — | for Vodafone Group: a telecommunications group active in Europe and Africa. The Vodafone group operates mobile and fixed networks in 21 countries and partners with mobile networks in an additional 48 countries; |
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for Vodafone Group: a telecommunications group active in Europe and Africa. The Vodafone group operates mobile and fixed networks in 21 countries and partners with mobile networks in an additional 48 countries;

| — | for Safaricom: a telecommunications operator in Kenya; |
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for Safaricom: a telecommunications operator in Kenya;

| — | for Sumitomo: a global trading and investment company, conducting business activities across a wide range of industries in 66 countries and regions; |
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for Sumitomo: a global trading and investment company, conducting business activities across a wide range of industries in 66 countries and regions;

| — | for Ethiopia JV: a newly established joint venture for the purpose of operating a full telecommunications licence to provide telecommunication services in Ethiopia. |
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for Ethiopia JV: a newly established joint venture for the purpose of operating a full telecommunications licence to provide telecommunication services in Ethiopia.

3.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.10244 — Vodafone Group/Safaricom/Sumitomo/Ethiopia JV

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

| European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

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(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

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