Zain- Sudan (formerly Mobitel) commenced its lasting journey towards the end of 1996, leading the way as the first mobile telecom operator in Sudan. Launching its commercial activities in February 1997, Zain put Greater Khartoum on the telecommunications map through its GSM network, turning Sudan into the fourth country to launch mobile services in North Africa. It was established as a joint-stock company with the shares divided between Sudan Telecommunications Company Ltd. (Sudatel) and several other shareholders including Celtel until 2006, when it was fully acquired by the Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) as part of its strategy; to transform from a local to a regional, then a global telecom entity.