Africa and Middle East mobile operator MTN Group confirmed it's in talks about a potential deal. In a statement, it advised shareholders that the company had entered into discussions the full impact of which may have a material effect on the price of the company's securities. MTN said the discussions may or may not lead to a transaction. Earlier on 23 April the Financial Times reported that MTN was in talks with Orascom Telecom about buying the Cairo-based company's African mobile businesses. The Times said the talks began as discussions about MTN buying Orascom's Algerian mobile operator but have expanded to include most of its African businesses. Separtely, Orascom Telecom's shares were suspended from trading in London, pending an announcement. The Egyptian stock exchange also suspended trade in Orascom Telecom pending the firm's planned 27 April announcement of material information, three traders told Reuters.
