Within the past two years, Celtel's Zambian customers have grown from 70, 000 to over 1m.

ECONOMIST: Business in Africa

Celtel found that it succeeded if it adapted products and services to local tastes, needs and small budgets.

ECONOMIST: Business in Africa

Celtel refused to pay its way into the Democratic Republic of Congo.

ECONOMIST: Business in Africa

When Celtel, a mobile-phone operator, set up in Zambia eight years ago, it concentrated on the densely populated corridor between Victoria Falls (on the border with Zimbabwe), Lusaka and the industrial copper belt.

ECONOMIST: Business in Africa