Roshan (telecommunications)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Karim Khoja |
| Headquarters | Afghanistan |
Area served | Afghanistan, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda |
Key people | Karim Khoja (founder) |
| Products | Telecommunications services, mobile financial services |
| Owner | Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) |
Roshan (, ) operates as a telecommunications enterprise headquartered in Afghanistan.
History
Established in 2002 by Karim Khoja, Roshan has played a significant role in Afghanistan's telecom sector.
In 2012, Roshan distinguished itself as the first and sole Afghan firm to obtain B Corporation certification from B Lab. By 2014, it had grown to become the largest private employer and leading telecom service provider in Afghanistan, serving 6 million users. The company also extended its telecommunications and mobile financial services into Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda, marketing these under the "Smart Mobile" brand.
In October 2017, Roshan collaborated with the Wikimedia Foundation to grant users complimentary data access to Wikipedia and related projects through the Wikipedia Zero program, which concluded in February 2018. This partnership officially ended on December 15, 2018.
As of June 2024, Roshan's network reaches at least one urban center within every province across Afghanistan.
At its inception, ownership of Roshan was divided among:
- 51%—Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), affiliated with the Aga Khan Development Network
- 35%—Monaco Telecom International (MTI), a branch of NJJ Capital (holding 55% since 2014 after acquisition from Cable & Wireless) and the Principality of Monaco (holding 45%)
- 9%—MCT Corporation (formerly a U.S.-based entity, now integrated into Telia Company)
- 5%—Alcatel
These stakes were managed via Telecom Development Company of Afghanistan B.V., an Amsterdam-based entity that wholly owns Telecom Development Company of Afghanistan Ltd.
In July 2004, Alcatel divested its entire 5% interest, redistributing 3.25% to MCT and 1.75% to MTI.
By August 2020, TeliaSonera had exited its 12.25% holding, and Monaco Telecom transferred its 36.75% ownership to AKFED, resulting in AKFED becoming Roshan's exclusive shareholder.