Kuwaiti mobile phone operator Zain has launched a hi-tech 3.5G network in the country in its plans to be among the top operators by 2011.

The investment of more than $420 million in Ghana is Sub-Saharan Africa’s first such network outside South Africa.

With 40 million customers in Africa, Zain’s Chief Executive Officer Chris Gabriel considers the continent ripe for growth.

"Africa has growth potential. We see it as a growth venture. Although penetration is very, very low, we see it as having very huge potential. A lot of people say Africa penetration is almost saturated, but we don't because we see that we can optimise our business on the continent," he said.

Mobile telecoms have seen rapid growth in recent years because of its pre-pay model and light infrastructure demands, while fixed-line communication remains stagnant. 

With the Ghana launch, Zain has invested about $12 billion in Africa since 2005, and plans more in 2009.

Zain is the fifth active mobile operator in investor-friendly Ghana, whose mobile telephony penetration is among the fastest growing in Africa.