MTN says to reorganise its South African business unit

 Africa's largest telecoms provider plans to restructure its home market's enterprise business segment, it said on Wednesday, as competition squeezes revenue in its key South African unit.

The Johannesburg-based telecoms giant with operations in 22 nations in Africa and the Middle East said in a statement that it had informed employees who were likely to be affected by the reorganisation at a meeting held on Wednesday.

MTN said the restructuring aims at strengthening its competitive advantage, but did not say how many staff could be affected.

Last year, MTN said it would lay off some of its managers in South Africa where sales have been under pressure following stiff competition from players such as Vodacom and unlisted Cell C.

MTN is also fighting to retain customers in its biggest market Nigeria, where it is facing an onslaught from other players such as India's Bharti Airtel.