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Millicom International Cellular

tigo · NASDAQ Communication Services
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FY2018 Annual Report · Millicom International Cellular
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Connections 
That Matter

2018 Millicom
Integrated Report 

OUR PURPOSE: To build the digital
highways that connect people, improve lives, 
and develop our communities.

Connections That Matter

Purpose-Driven Connectivity
Millicom drives business success through connections that matter. Connections that open doors to knowledge. Connections that help indi-
viduals become part of the digital economy and businesses realize financial opportunities that would otherwise go untapped. Connections 
that contribute to increased productivity in the markets and communities where we operate. 

We are in this business for the long haul, not simply for short-term gain. As we create vital digital highways and connectivity, we lead 
responsibly to foster an environment where our employees, customers, and communities can prosper and reach their full potential. We 
strongly believe that we can harness innovation to create a brighter future in our markets. Our digital highways can help our communities 
overcome obstacles to access the digital world and technological breakthroughs. When our customers and the communities in the coun-
tries we serve are able to address these challenges successfully, we all benefit.

For information on our business 
strategy, please see pages 9–15.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceFinancialsGovernanceAppendixOur third integrated Annual Report combines our corporate responsibility and financial reports to provide 
all our stakeholders with a clear and comprehensive overview of our business and activities in 2018. It 
conveys our business strategy, our commitment to contribute to the positive social and economic growth 
of the communities we serve through our products and services, and our responsible business practices 
and leadership throughout our operations. Our reporting also aligns with our commitment to transparency, 
and reflects the interests of key stakeholders, with whom we engaged closely in 2018.

Note: Our Latin America (Latam) segment includes our Honduras and Guatemala joint ventures as if they 
were fully consolidated, as this reflects the way our management reviews and uses internally reported 
information to make decisions about operating matters, and also to provide increased transparency to 
investors on those operations.

What’s Inside This Report

92  Directors’ Financial and Operating Report
93  Management responsibility statement

Financial statements
95  Consolidated financial statements
102  Notes to the consolidated financial    
statements
190  Independent auditor’s report
195  Disclaimers

Appendix: Corporate responsibility
198   Wrapping up a great five years
199  Our performance
201  Privacy and freedom of expression
202  Child rights and online protection
202   Acting with integrity:  

anti-corruption compliance

204  Reducing our environmental footprint
205  Diversity
205   Taking care of our people
206  Responsible supply chain management
206  Social investment
207  Independent limited assurance report

Overview
02  Our brands and services
03  Market overview
04  Chairman’s message
06  Chief Executive Officer’s message
08  Our year in numbers

Strategy
09  Our business strategy
16  Corporate responsibility strategy
22  Enterprise risk management
26  Living our Purpose spotlight

Performance
31  Responsible leadership in action
38  Our people
46  Corporate responsibility fundamentals
50  Our financial performance

Governance
58  Chairman’s report
59  Corporate governance framework
60  Shareholders and shareholders’ meeting
62  Board of Directors and Board committees
65  Board profile – skills and experience
68  Board program
71  Board committees
I. Audit Committee
71 
 II. Compliance and Business  
75 
Conduct Committee
 III. Compensation Committee:  
Remuneration Report

77 

84  Millicom CEO and Executive Team

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceFinancialsGovernanceAppendixOur Brands and Services
Through our Tigo and Tigo Business™ brands, we provide 

a wide range of digital services, including high-speed 

data, cable TV, voice and SMS, Mobile Financial Services, 

and business solutions. 

CUSTOMERS USING THE 4G NETWORKS WE PROVIDE IN ALL OUR MOBILE MARKETS

MOBILE B2C CUSTOMERS IN OUR LATAM AND AFRICA SEGMENTS

48 million
10+ million
11 million
4+ million

Tigo Sports

Tigo Music

HOMES PASSED IN OUR LATAM SEGMENT

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS AND COUNTING

Tigo Money

Tigo ONE tv

Mi Tigo

Tigo Shop

Tigo Sports

Tigo Music

Tigo Money

Tigo Business

Tigo Sports

Tigo Music

Tigo Money

Tigo ONE tv

Mi Tigo

Tigo Shop

Tigo ONE tv

Mi Tigo

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Tigo Shop

Tigo Business

Tigo Business

OverviewStrategyPerformanceFinancialsGovernanceAppendixGUATEMALA 

HONDURAS 

NICARAGUA 

EL SALVADOR 

COSTA RICA 

PANAMA 

CHAD 

COLOMBIA 

TANZANIA

BOLIVIA 

PARAGUAY

Market Overview and 
Opportunities for Growth

For millions of customers and thousands of employees, the Tigo brand symbolizes everything 
we stand for as a company. We’re proud of how highly respected the Tigo name has become 
locally and globally, and how our presence represents opportunities for employment and 
socio-economic growth in our markets.

Latin America (Latam) is one of the fastest developing regions in the world, giving us 
remarkable growth potential and the ability to participate and accelerate that development 
by connecting people with high-speed, high-quality communications.

Our main focus in the region is on high-speed internet. We see pent up demand here due to 
lower 4G and broadband internet penetration than in more developed markets. We have 
dedicated ourselves to bridging that gap by connecting more than 3 million new 4G mobile 
users and adding more than 1 million homes to our HFC network over the past year. We have 
also pursued merger and acquisition opportunities when they fit our strategy. We added the 
largest cable operator in Panama to our family in December 2018, and we entered discussions 
with Telefónica S.A. to acquire its mobile operations in Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, 
announcing an agreement in February 2019, with regulatory approvals pending in order to 
complete this transaction.

As we expanded our footprint in Latam, we also wanted to accurately define how Millicom’s 
core business positively contributes to economic growth in our markets. In the link below, we 
proudly share findings from a Socio-Economic Impact Report commissioned by Millicom and 
carried out by Copenhagen Economics, one of Europe’s leading economic consultancies.

Economic Impact 
https://www.millicom.com/media-center/socio-
economic-impact-report/

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LATAM

Bolivia 

Mobile and Cable
#1 in Pay TV

Colombia 

Mobile and Cable

Costa Rica 

Cable
#1 in Pay TV

El Salvador 

Mobile and Cable
#1 in Mobile and Pay TV

Guatemala 

Mobile and Cable
#1 in Mobile and Pay TV

Honduras 

Mobile and Cable
#1 in Mobile and Cable

Nicaragua 
  Cable

Panama

Acquisition of Cable Onda   
#1 in Cable

Paraguay

Mobile and Cable
#1 in Mobile and Cable

AFRICA

Chad 
  Mobile
   #1 in Mobile

Tanzania
  Mobile

OverviewStrategyPerformanceFinancialsGovernanceAppendixStrategy

Former Chairman’s Message
Transformation and growth. Those two words define 
Millicom’s trajectory in 2018.

2018 was a watershed year for Millicom. The company returned to solid top line growth as 

the strategy of monetizing mobile data, building our cable network, preparing for 

convergence, and growing B2B continued yielding positive results.

Details of the effective execution of these four key strategic building blocks are contained 

in the strategy section on pages 9 to 15 of this report.

We accelerated the build and deployment of high-speed data networks in Central and 

South America, and acquired Cable Onda in Panama during the last quarter of 2018.

We continued to focus on customer service and experience which included the 

implementation during the year of Net Promoter Score (NPS) as a key performance 

indicator measuring each customer touch point and segment.

Working in emerging markets influences our approach to business growth.  In these 

developing economies and societies we must integrate our business strategy and corporate 

responsibility efforts to create shared value and promote sustainable development for all 

our stakeholders.  Details of our corporate responsibility plan and stakeholder engagement 

are included in pages 16 to 21 of this report.

We can’t accomplish all our goals without the dedication and skills of our people. During 

the year, we continued nurturing our strong company culture, which our people refer to as 

“Sangre Tigo”.

Millicom understands the need to remain vigilant in the area of governance, compliance 

and business ethics.  We believe Millicom and our Tigo brands should, and can, lead the 

way in these areas in all our markets. The Governance section of this report (pages 57 to 

93) sets out Millicom’s framework, approach and commitment to strong corporate 

governance. During 2018, we strengthened our Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption policies and 

resources and enhanced our Anti-Money Laundering tools, systems, processes, and training 

to allow Millicom to more rapidly assess potential problems. We also incorporated 

compliance factors into executive incentive programs and developed a three-year strategic 

plan to enhance our Information Security programs.

Leadership for our company drives its success. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would 

like to thank Mauricio Ramos, our CEO, and his executive team for their dedication and 
drive, and for inspiring every colleague to make The Digital Lifestyle™ a reality for millions 
of customers in ways that benefit all our stakeholders.

As I step out of my role as Board Chair in early 2019 and pass the mantle to José Antonio 

Ríos García, I am confident Millicom’s leadership will continue to position the business to 

create shareholder value, rewarding employment opportunities, and prosperity for the 

communities where we operate.

For information on our 
business model, please see 
pages 9–15.

Tom Boardman

Former Chairman of the Board of Directors

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceFinancialsGovernanceAppendix“ I remain impressed by the dedication of 
our employees, and the clear and 
ethical purpose evident in the strategic 
and operating decisions the company 
makes every day.”

Chairman’s Message

Since joining the Board in May 2017, I have witnessed firsthand the strong, 

steady leadership of Tom Boardman, as well as the great strides Millicom 

has made in executing its strategy. On behalf of the Board, I thank Tom for 

all he has done to advance the company’s vision, mission and purpose.

In January 2019, Tom passed the baton of Millicom’s Chairmanship to me. 

Given the company’s increased focus on Latin America, I look forward to 

drawing on my own experience both in the telecommunications sector and 

in the region, to help Millicom’s team as they strive to advance the 

company’s purpose and create value for shareholders.

Having already visited several of Millicom’s operations, I remain impressed 

by the dedication of our employees, and the clear and ethical purpose 

evident in the strategic and operating decisions the company makes every 

day. Our robust business strategy and corporate responsibility framework 

have laid a solid foundation for even greater success moving forward. I 

welcome the opportunity to serve as the company’s Chairman and look 

forward to doing my part to ensure continued success and growth for all 

our stakeholders. 

Thank you.

José Antonio Ríos García

Chairman of the Board of Directors

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceFinancialsGovernanceAppendixChief Executive Officer’s 
Message

I’m very pleased to share this year’s integrated report, 
because it highlights the most important and exciting ways 
Millicom manifested its purpose in 2018. That purpose 
remains clear: We build the digital highways that connect 
people, improve lives, and develop our communities. 

We believe our core products and services make a positive impact on the lives of people in 

the countries we serve. By creating the infrastructure for digital communications and 

economies, we directly influence the development and advancement of these countries 

and the quality of life of our customers. We simply do not want anyone to be left behind, 

and our success as a company depends on that. 

And 2018 was very successful on many fronts. We exceeded our goal to cover 10 million 

homes with our cable network, and we also hit our target of 10 million 4G customers. We 

were equally successful at delivering our service revenue and EBITDA growth targets, and 

we generated more than enough cash flow to continue to fund our network investments 

and to pay an attractive dividend to our shareholders. Consistent with our strategic plan, 

we also made great strides to increase our focus on Latin America, and we capped the year 

by completing our U.S. listing, allowing our shares to begin trading on the Nasdaq Stock 

Exchange in January 2019.

This strong performance can only occur by first having a clear understanding of the 

overarching factors critical to our success. Our business model must adopt and integrate 

rapid technological innovations to make these advancements both affordable and accessible 

in our markets. 

We also understand that as a market leader, we have an obligation to ensure the 

technology we provide is being used responsibly and has the best possible outcome for the 

communities we serve. That is why we continue to promote initiatives that protect children 

online, promote digital literacy among vulnerable populations, and support privacy, 

freedom of expression and gender equality. This includes our renewed commitment to the 

United Nations Global Compact.

With that as our backdrop, we see Millicom as an essential bridge between investors who 

want to invest capital in developing economies and the individuals and businesses who will 

benefit from that capital. 2018 proved to be a year that overwhelmingly demonstrates how 

that bridge provides benefits in both directions. 

I am delighted to highlight some of the most significant accomplishments Millicom made 

toward living our purpose and advancing our mission in 2018.

Mauricio Ramos

Chief Executive Officer

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceFinancialsGovernanceAppendix2018 Highlights
»    Strategic Success: The strategy we introduced in 2015 and have continued to refine ever 
since keeps working. We delivered a successful year both operationally and financially.  
We closed 2018 ahead of our target of 10 million homes passed, while adding more than 
400,000 new HFC customer relationships. We also increased the number of our 4G 
smartphone data customers by more than 3 million, which means that more than 10 million 
customers now enjoy our 4G networks available in all of our eight mobile markets. Our 
financial performance returned to steady growth. Millicom’s revenue, EBITDA and returns 
on capital in 2018 improved on an organic basis, in contrast with the mixed performance  
in the broader telecommunications sector.

»    Acquisition of Cable Onda in Panama: Taking advantage  
of our healthy free cash flow generation and our 
strong balance sheet in 2018, we made our largest 
acquisition since 2014, entering a new country with  
a fast-growing economy.

»    U.S. Listing: As a result of our recent listing on the 
Nasdaq Stock Market in the U.S., our shares now  
trade in the most developed market in the world  
under the ticker TIGO.

Cable Onda
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=ZhNqenbymlE

NASDAQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-
SRJ8BBuvPk&feature=youtu.be

»    Updated Corporate Responsibility (CR) Framework: In 2018, we took an in-depth look at 
ways we could better focus our CR activities to reflect emerging issues, the topics our 
stakeholders care most about, and the challenges we are uniquely positioned to solve.

»    Corporate Culture and Talent Development: We paid special attention to maintaining and 
enhancing our strong company culture and took the time to better map and develop our 
talent. Our dedication to our people has been recognized. For the second consecutive year 
we were among the top 25 employers in Latin America across industries, and received 
“Great Place To Work” awards in many of the countries where we operate.

We are truly excited about our accomplishments in 2018 and optimistic about our future. The 
long-term plan we have shared with the Board of Directors reflects our view that there is enormous 
potential for growth over the next five years. I am confident that we have the right team in place to 
deliver on our promises and to continue to earn the trust of all our stakeholders.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. 

CEO Mauricio Ramos during the 
public announcement of  
Millicom’s acquisition of Cable  
Onda in Panama

Millicom begins trading on the Nasdaq Stock 
Market in the U.S. under ticker symbol TIGO

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceFinancialsGovernanceAppendixFinancial & Operational Indicators

Equity free cash flow*
(US$m)

Return on invested capital* 
(%)

6
2
3
$

6
0
3
$

+6.6%

Year-over-year  
change

.

1
3
1

1
4
1
$

.

2
8
2 1
6
1

.

2016

2017 2018

2016

2017 2018

+47.2%

Year-over-year  
growth

4G smartphone  
data users
(m)

.

5
0
1

2
7

.

4
3

.

HFC Revenue  
generating units
(m)

2
6

.

.

4
4

.

7
3

+20.9%

Year-over-year  
growth**

2016

2017 2018

2016

2017 2018

Corporate Responsibility Indicators

Employees who have  
acknowledged the Code  
of Conduct

91%

Connected schools

1,300+

Strategic suppliers  
who signed the Code  
of Conduct

89%

Connected women (participants in digital inclusion 
training programs)

117,000

* Equity free cash flow and Return on invested capital are non-IFRS measures. Please refer to page 196 for descrip-
tion of non-IFRS measures
**Year-over-year growth excludes contribution from the Panama acquisition.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceFinancialsGovernanceAppendixOverview

Strategy

Performance

Governance

Financials

Appendix

Our Business Strategy: 
The Engine That Drives  
Our Purpose

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Overview

Strategy

Performance

Our Business Strategy:
The Engine That Drives  
Our Purpose

In 2018, a relentless focus on our business model for growth resulted in 

robust financial and social returns. The following carefully crafted strategies, 

executed with discipline, have helped us build a world-class organization that 

benefits shareholders and brings value to emerging markets and societies.

Monetize Mobile Data

Build Cable

Prepare for Convergence

Accelerate B2B

Go Digital

Provide Best
Customer 
Experience

Monetize Data

A sound mobile data monetization strategy will continue to translate incre-

mental growth into additional revenues through:

» Expansion of our 4G/LTE network;

» Transition to a postpaid subscription model; and

» Products and services that stimulate data usage.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixBuild Cable

Cable now represents 36 percent of our Latam service 

revenue with demand for high-speed data from both the 

business sector and individual customers driving  

continued revenue growth. To meet this demand, we are: 

»  Accelerating the expansion of our hybrid fiber-coaxial 

(HFC) network; 

»  Targeting acquisitions that complement our organic 

build out, such as Panama’s Cable Onda, which increases 

our cable exposure and significantly enhances our B2B 

capabilities; and

»  Adding content and services to drive further growth in 

Average Revenue Per User (ARPU).

Prepare for Convergence

As we evolve from being a traditional mobile operator to a 

more comprehensive service provider, we are expanding our 

ability to offer convergent services that include both mobile 

and cable services to customers of all sizes. The deployment 

of IT solutions to efficiently market and support convergent 

solutions will help us: 

» Differentiate ourselves in the marketplace;

» Generate new revenue streams;

» Increase customer satisfaction and loyalty;

» Reduce customer churn and costs; and

» Prepare for future network deployments such as 5G.

 In 2018, we continued  
to roll out our cable network, 
exceeding our goal of 
reaching 10 million homes. 
We also added more than 
400,000 new HFC customer 
relationships.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixAccelerate B2B 

Since launching in 2012, Tigo Business has enjoyed 

exceptional growth among its three primary audiences: 

multinational corporations, large local companies, and 

small and medium size businesses (SMBs). To accelerate this 

growth, we have made B2B fundamental to our strategy by: 

»  Differentiating the Tigo Business brand through excellent 

service and frontline execution and

»  Selectively evolving our portfolio into Information and 

Communications Technology (ICT)-managed services. 

Go Digital 

Increased digitization of our processes and operations 

in 2018 drove efficiencies that benefit the company and 

customers alike. This transformation will continue as we: 

»  Provide superior digital journeys for our customers that will 

ensure we become or remain the operator of choice; 

»  Create new tools and an enhanced operational model so 

our teams can do their work more efficiently; and

»  Offer next generation user-experience platforms that 

seamlessly integrate content across linear and on-demand 

channels. By the end of 2018, one such platform, Tigo 

ONEtv, was already present in half of our Latam markets.

“ Business customers 
rely on Tigo’s unique 
ring network for high 
quality and secure 
services across the 
region.”

Santiago Londoño
Vice President, B2B Latam

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendix“ We mapped out 
our customer 
journey to digitize 
all touch points 
and offer a digital-
first experience.”

Miguel Garay
Vice President, Customer Experience

Best Customer Experience

At Millicom, living our purpose means much more than just offering a wide 

variety of products and services. It means knowing our customers and 

employing a truly customer-centric mindset that provides the products and 

services they want while taking care of their needs efficiently and effectively. 

We place our customers at the center of everything we do, and our purpose 

at the heart of every product and service we offer. 

We care deeply about the journey each customer takes with our products 

and services. As we offer our customers more services and solutions and 

transition from a prepaid transactional to a postpaid subscription model, 

building long-term customer relationships becomes even more essential. 

Competition for subscribers has increased, and we need to carefully consider 

our choices of products and services, and the development and delivery of 

those services to ensure they fit with our business objectives. 

To understand our customers holistically, we have introduced standardized 

experience metrics across all markets to monitor customer engagement, 

local and regional trends, and consumption patterns. This helps us deliver 

a consistently positive experience for all, regardless of their levels of 

engagement. Customers can also share and receive feedback significantly 

faster and more easily with us.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixOur Customer Experience 
Strategy in Action in 2018
How well do we meet our customers’ needs? Are 
we keeping our promises to them? Is the entire 
process as fast and easy as it could be? As a 
company, we strive to answer these and other 
questions by addressing the entire customer 
experience journey.

To prioritize customer care, in 2018 we: 

»  Created and implemented a regional playbook in each country that lays out 

our internal commitments and external promises to customers; 

»  Rolled out a new platform to manage E-care transactions, which increased 

to 80 percent the number of transactions we respond to within a specified 

timeframe; and 

» Implemented Net Promoter Score (NPS) as a key performance indicator,  

measuring each customer touchpoint and segment via transactional NPS, as well 

as relational NPS.

The standardization of metrics in all markets is designed to provide an ideal and 

unified experience across the region.

Through NPS evaluations, we have found that our customers are more satisfied 

as a result of these changes, and we have also improved our bottom line: We 

reduced our overall customer care costs by 9.5 percent from 2017.

Starting in 2018, NPS has been included in the global compensation metrics 

for our Millicom and Tigo leadership, as well as market-level directors and 

managers. This decision to join NPS with the company’s financial indicators 

demonstrates our dedication to place our customers at the center of everything 

we do.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixWith state-of-the-art studios  
in most countries, today Tigo 
Sports is the leading sports 
broadcaster in Paraguay, 
Guatemala, Colombia, Costa 
Rica, Bolivia, and El Salvador.

Tigo Sports and the 2018 FIFA 
World Cup Russia™
»  Addition of more than 900,000 active users during 

the World Cup

Sports, Content and Mobility:  
Tigo Sports

We are witnessing new consumer habits and growing expectations on the 

part of customers, where availability, opportunity and quality top the list of 

entertainment priorities.

In the case of Tigo, our response is to focus not only on building networks, 

but also on the generation and distribution of quality content through Tigo 

Sports and Tigo ONEtv.

When Tigo Sports first aired in 2014, it marked a defining moment for 

Millicom, as a broadcaster and content provider in Latin America. The 

channel is now available in each of our mobile markets in Latin America 

allowing subscribers to follow the latest headlines 24/7, and match 

coverage live and on-demand across an all-sports programing schedule 

that includes: soccer, rugby, futsal, handball, tennis, tabletennis, polo, 

athletics, mixed martial arts, and fitness.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ created the perfect convergence of 

mobility, content, and sports. The growing mobile penetration in Latin 

America, as well as the adoption of smart mobile devices, provided users in 

the region with a digital, mobile and interactive experience for the first 

»  72.5 million minutes of live programming

time. We took this opportunity to offer our customers a new experience, to 

»  Average of 55 sessions per user during the month of 

live the passion of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ from their smartphone 

June of our Tigo Sports App and Web

and tablet, through our exclusive Tigo Sports App. We also launched the 

channel Tigo Sports+ in Paraguay to expand our transmission channels 

during the World Cup. In addition to having exclusive rights for the 

transmission of various matches country by country, the broadcasts were 

100 percent HD.

Tigo Sports Russia 2018
https://youtu.be/FVYoHgLrHzU

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixThe Essential Connection:  
Corporate Responsibility  
and Strategic Success
An integrated approach to external affairs and stakeholder 
engagement

Working in emerging markets influences our approach to business growth. However, achieving 

this requires a multi-pronged approach with all stakeholders, including policy-makers, regulators, 

multilateral organizations, and NGOs. In these developing economies and societies, the 

integration of our business strategy and corporate responsibility efforts is required to create 

shared value and promote sustainable development for all our stakeholders. 

To ensure all efforts are unified and point toward our ultimate purpose, our external affairs 

team oversees regulatory affairs, government relations, corporate responsibility, and corporate 

communications. This structure provides a holistic approach to risk management, stakeholder 

engagement, and communications, and enhances integrated analysis and strategic decision-

making.

We believe progress is inseparable from the adoption of digital tools. Digital technology has the 

power to transform lives, helping people move out of poverty and into the mainstream economy, 

enhancing quality of life through improved access to health, education, financial services, and 

employment. As we continue to build digital highways, we promote the adoption of these rapidly 

developing digital tools that can impact every aspect of life and which allow individuals and 

communities in the countries where we operate to enjoy their full potential. 

The opportunities for our business to grow depend on stable and well-functioning governance 

systems in the countries where we operate, a growing customer base that can afford our products 

and services, a committed and talented workforce, and our ability to demonstrate environmental 

and social responsibility. Our commitment and approach to corporate responsibility empower, 

protect and enhance the capabilities of our customers, our staff, and our suppliers, and create 

sustainable value.  In essence, doing business the right way, “future-proofs” our business and 

provides opportunities for growth.

“

Our CR program helps us ‘walk the 
talk’ by directly addressing the wider 
impacts our business operations have on 
society. It guides our efforts to support 
socio-economic progress in the markets 
we serve with technological expertise. 
It informs our actions to protect those 
who may become vulnerable by using 
our services. And it helps us identify 
the best ways to solve larger societal 
issues wherever and whenever we can. 
Together, these efforts help us maintain 
our license to operate and build trust 
with key partners.

”

Rachel Samrén
EVP, Chief External Affairs Officer

Photo Caption To Come: Minvel eumquia dolore nus. Ariatas sectend igentib ustioriam ut eostis vendant es 
quodit occulla cipiet. Minvel eumquia dolore nus. Ariatas sectend igentib.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixMateriality Assessment and  
Stakeholder Engagement 
For years, we have worked with a variety of local and international 
partners, such as the GSMA, UNICEF and the Global Network 
Initiative (GNI) multistakeholder initiative to acquire a deeper 
knowledge of the challenges we face and how best to tackle them 
in our markets. Since 2012, we have also conducted biennial 
materiality assessments that engage broader groups of 
stakeholders. 

In 2018, in preparation for developing an updated Five-Year Corporate Responsibility Plan, we engaged 

even more in-depth and broadly with all our key stakeholder groups to better understand their concerns 

and priorities and ensure our CR strategy and reporting remain relevant and responsive to newly 

emerging topics in our industry.

Customers

Investors

Stakeholders

Communities

Employees

As an integral part of our work, Business for 
Social Responsibility (BSR), a global nonprofit 
consultancy organization, conducted a 
comprehensive materiality assessment which 
comprised over 25 internal interviewees, 
including our senior and middle management 
across multiple business functions and 
markets, a wide range of stakeholders 
covering our shareholders, communities, 
customers, and employees, and BSR’s vast 
network and deep expertise in corporate 
responsibility. The Materiality Assessment 
confirmed that we were on the right track 
with the key issues that we have covered 
since 2014. BSR’s research also identified 
opportunities to accelerate the impact digital 
highways have on the economic and social 
value created by Millicom’s core purpose, 
and to leverage Millicom’s core assets: our 
employees and our strong reputation in 
communities.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendix“ Sustainability is not 
something you do on 
the side. In the long 
run, it is the only way 
you create wealth for 
shareholders.”

Kinnevik AB

Responsible
Leadership in Action

CR
Fundamentals

Empowering
Women

Ethics

Environment

Purpose:
Build Digital Highways 
that connect people, 
improve lives
and develop 
communities

Inclusion

Supply
Chain

Protecting
Children

Human
Rights

Connecting
Communities

Our Updated CR Framework

With fresh and thorough input from our extensive stakeholder engagement process, we 

updated our Corporate Responsibility (CR) framework to show the strong connection between 

our core business purpose, the essential elements of our CR work and our commitments to 

protect children online, empower women, and connect communities.

With our purpose at its center, our framework has two core elements: 1) Corporate 

Responsibility Fundamentals, and 2) Responsible Leadership in Action. 

CR Fundamentals

Corporate Responsibility Fundamentals groups the areas that are a prerequisite for the 

health of our business and the societies in which we operate. To position ourselves in 

a fast-paced and competitive digital world, we must handle our everyday interactions 

with high integrity and ethics and zero tolerance for any form of corruption. We must 

also carefully consider our actions in the physical world and continue to do business with 

suppliers that have strong environmental and human rights standards and practices; build 

more environmentally friendly, efficient and resilient digital highways; become and remain 

the employer of choice; and build an organization where people feel empowered and 

encouraged to be the best version of themselves. Initiatives in these areas help us use the 

resources we depend on wisely and responsibly and, through our influence across the value 

chain, create a positive ripple effect throughout our markets. 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixResponsible Leadership  
in Action

Responsible Leadership in Action identifies the areas that differentiate Tigo 

in our markets. The expansion of our networks and the adoption of a digital 

lifestyle in emerging markets, significantly supports access to education, 

work, and health. Through our flagship programs for children, women, 

and communities, we tap into our specific knowledge, resources, and core 

business activities, putting them in the service of shaping digital spaces that 

allow people to connect and prosper. 

Why these three pillars? Because by addressing each with distinct 

approaches and carefully crafted initiatives and partnerships, their 

combined impacts offer potential synergies for prosperity and social 

resilience. For example, we seek to help as many children as we can to 

safely explore, learn, and grow through digital tools. We take concrete 

steps to educate children, parents, teachers, and caregivers on the risks and 

opportunities of digital technology, and we strive to protect their rights 

throughout our value chain. We train women and girls on digital literacy 

and entrepreneurship to empower and enable them to take advantage of 

the digital world. Finally, because we believe connected communities are 

stronger communities, we help them prosper by building digital highways, 

providing digital education and equipping them with access to technology.

Topics in each category will align with the United Nations Sustainable 

Development Goals (UN SDGs), and are embedded throughout our whole 

organization. Our CR team works closely with other departments to support 

them in the successful execution of the strategy. To learn more about 

governance of CR at Millicom, see pages 89 - 90 of the Governance section of 

this report.

“ You would not build a 
school without doors. 
By the same token,  
we work so that the 
digital spaces we make 
accessible are also safe 
for new generations of 
digital citizens.

”

Mauricio Ramos
Chief Executive Officer

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixCR Goals and Five-Year Plan

Our updated five-year corporate responsibility plan lays out the company’s goals and benchmarks 

for 2019 - 2023. Our employees, customers, and investors increasingly show interest in how we add 

environmental, social, and economic value for all stakeholders. Our new plan helps us address their 

expectations. We also know our CR activities unlock business opportunities, such as the untapped 

potential for cost savings, efficiencies, enhanced network resilience and customer solutions, while 

reducing our energy consumption and carbon footprint. Our flagship programs designed to empower 

women, protect children and connect communities, promote the access and use of digital services in a 

safe, productive, and life-enhancing manner. 

Summary CR Five-Year Plan: 2019 - 2023
CR Fundamentals

Ethics 

Environment 

»  Build a strong corporate culture that seeks 

»  Enhance standardization of data management 

compliance excellency; an ethics business 

and reporting of baselines and targets to 

culture, where employees at all levels are 

achieve cost savings and the reduction of our 

committed to doing what is right, upholding 

carbon footprint.

the company’s values and standards.

»  Environmental impact assessments of all 

»  Have a Compliance & Ethics Program that is 

operations executed by 2021, including issue 

central to the business strategy, effectively 

prioritization and remediation plans.

embedded in the business processes and 

procedures, and focusing on the actual impact 

the company’s program has in the countries 

it operates in, on our employees, customers, 

stakeholders and communities.

»  Increase and measure waste revenue streams, 

and reuse and recycling of consumer devices.

»  Develop and implement a comprehensive 

strategy for climate change mitigation and 

resilience for Tigo operations and customers.

»  All operations are recognized by local 

authorities and/or international organizations 

Inclusion 

in their fight against corruption.

Supply Chain 

»  Enhance due diligence processes by including 

sustainable procurement criteria for 

strategic suppliers. Extend related training to 

procurement team. 

»  Train all suppliers with Group spend of more 

than US$1million by 2023, and measure their 

progress on corrective action plans through a 

sustainable procurement platform and audits.

»  Build an inclusive work environment that is 

representative of our workforce, the markets 

where we operate, and the customers we serve.

»  Promote a culture of inclusion through policies, 

procedures, and regular training, and activities 

that foster employee collaboration.

»  Enhance employee wellness and growth 

through policies, programs, and practices 

designed to fulfill their aspirations for 

professional and personal development. 

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2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixAdvancing Human Rights

»  Continue our efforts in preventing access to 

»  Consolidate and enhance human rights policies 

and practices covering privacy, freedom of 

expression, supply chain, and vulnerable groups 

to meet United Nations Guiding Principles on 

online child sexual abuse material through 

our networks by continuous implementation 

of blocking mechanisms region-wide, and 

advancing industry initiatives.

Business and Human Rights standards. 

Empowering Women

»  Develop and deploy a Human Rights Impact 

Assessment (HRIA) toolkit for all Latam 

markets by 2019.

»  Roll out human rights training in all Latam 

markets by 2020.

»  Conduct assessments in Latam markets on 

socio-economic conditions and technological 

capabilities of women and girls who are the 

beneficiaries of our programs to measure 

benefits achieved through trainings.

»  Protect customer rights to privacy and freedom 

»  Continue our programs to reduce the gender 

of expression in accordance with Global 

gap in the use of mobile technology. 

Network Initiative’s (GNI) principles and obtain 

positive assessments of policies and practices.

Responsible 
Leadership in Action

Protecting Child Rights

»  Continue our Child Online Protection education 

program to reach more children, adolescents, 

parents, teachers, and caregivers. 

»  Expand Child Online Protection training for our 

employee volunteer program by creating online 

training platform in all our operations. 

»  Conduct research programs in each market 

on the use of technology by children and 

adolescents to tailor content and adapt child 

online protection training based on results  

and insights. 

»  Implement regional strategy to advance 

digital literacy with educational programs on 

basic and advanced digital knowledge and 

entrepreneurial skills. 

Connecting Communities

»  Measure impacts of connectivity in 

communities targeted by our programs to 

assess improvements in socio-economic 

conditions of beneficiaries, and optimize 

program content and resource allocation. 

»  Continue bringing internet connections to 

schools and public institutions in vulnerable 

communities throughout Latin America, 

through collaborative partnerships with local 

government and NGOs.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixEnterprise Risk Management 

Our Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program remains a critical part of our business 

strategy. We have carefully aligned our approach to balancing risk with reward with our 

business objectives to protect our stakeholders and deliver sustainable value.

Risk Landscape and Appetite 

As an international mobile and cable services company operating in emerging markets 

across Latin America and Africa, identifying and managing risk plays a significant role 

in our decision-making process. Our markets expose us to an inherently higher degree, 

and potentially different sets of risks than similar companies operating in larger, more 

established and mature economies. 

In addition to risks associated with our geographical footprint, rapid change in mobile 

telephony and cable technology can have a significant impact on the demand for our 

services, and our ability to generate sufficient returns on the investments we make. 

As a consequence of these factors, we have a higher risk appetite than many of our peers in 

the telecommunications and cable industry, and a wider risk profile than many international 

businesses. We accept the risks inherent in our businesses and markets to the extent that 

opportunities for sufficient returns exist and on our ability to adopt appropriate systems and 

controls to manage those risks. 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixRisk Management Framework  
and Approach

We approach risk management consistently across the entire business, identifying and 

managing risks strategically at the Board and Senior Management levels and through in- 

depth processes and at transaction level by key business unit leaders and staff in our operating 

countries. We embed risk management processes in our operations both geographically (by 

country) and functionally (by business area), developing and implementing action plans that 

seek to balance risks with returns, within pre-determined risk appetite levels. 

The pyramid below illustrates Millicom’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework. 

» Strategy  
and risk appetite

 » Policy, roles, and  
responsibilities

 » Effectiveness of risk 
management

 » Risk identification

 » Assessment and measurement of  
current and target risk levels

 » Prioritization

 » Risk treatment and mitigating actions/ 
contingency planning

 » Monitoring, escalation, and reporting

 » Training and awareness

 » Behavior, performance, and reward

 » Assurance

Governance and oversight

Process

Culture and compliance

We classify key risks into six broad categories:

»  Strategic

»  Financial and competition

»  Operations and execution

»  Political and regulatory

»  Governance, compliance, and reputational

» People and culture

23
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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixEvolution of risk  
in 2018

In 2018 Millicom continued to experience a degree 
of regulatory and macro-economic uncertainty in 
many of the countries in our footprint. The ongoing 
shift in our business profile to Latin America, 
including the addition of Cable Onda in Panama, 
further increased our exposure to the region. 
However, while many countries in Latin America 
experienced economic, political or currency 
volatility in 2018, our key operating countries 
remained relatively stable.

Our senior leadership team remained unchanged 

during 2018, a key enabler in executing on our 

strategy and driving both short-term and longer-

term initiatives, including those on leadership, 

culture and succession planning.

In preparation for our U.S. share listing, we refined 

the way in which risks are identified, measured 

and assessed, introducing a more consistent 

methodology and processes that strengthens 

our resilience and reduces uncertainty. Our risk 

and internal control programs are aligned in our 

Sarbanes-Oxley implementation plan.

While we manage and monitor many more 

Information and network access security, including 

risks within the Millicom risk universe, we have 

protection of customer data and cyber security 

highlighted here the areas of risk that were a key 

in general, continue to increase in importance 

focus for Millicom in 2018.

for all consumer-based businesses. We continued 

to invest in this area (detailed on page 91 in the 

Governance section) in 2018.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixRisk

Mitigation strategy

Competition and Customer Experience: Competition 
for subscribers has increased in post-paid higher ARPU 
customers, with quality of service, innovation and 
converged offerings as key differentiating factors.

Our evolution from a prepaid to a subscription based business continues to stabilize 
and enhance the quality of our customer base. See page 14 for information on how 
we have invested in processes to improve customer experience and gain insights. 

Financial and Macro-Economic: Unfavorable macro-
economic conditions may reduce customer ARPU and 
impact our financial results and cash flows.

We carefully analyze the timing and amounts of cash flows required to service our 
debt while balancing operational cash flow needs, and we repatriate cash as quickly 
as possible. 

Political and Regulatory: Lack of transparency and 
predictability in regulation, and regulatory and tax rul-
ings can lead to associated penalties and reputational 
damage, as well as operational change requirements. 
Indirect taxation and regulatory pressure through tar-
iffs, taxes and service penalties continued to increase in 
2018, a trend that we expect to continue in the future. 

We monitor elections in the countries where we operate and review potential 
changes in regulations on an ongoing basis. We implement efficiency programs 
in all aspects of our business to offset the impact of newly introduced or expected 
changes in taxes and regulations. A number of countries in our footprint held 
planned government elections during 2018. To date, the outcome of these elections 
has not had a noticeable impact on our businesses.

Technical Transformation and Convergence: Failure to 
set up business structures and models that facilitate 
efficient and effective operations could negatively 
impact competitive positions, and business value.

Millicom has evolved from a traditional mobile operator to a provider of a comprehen-
sive range of services through fixed line, mobile, satellite, and MFS platforms. To learn 
more about our business strategy and goals to prepare for convergence see pages 
9 - 15.

Portfolio Management: The acquisition or retention of 
businesses either poorly aligned to strategy, or which 
are overpriced, risk bringing lower than required return 
on investment, and inefficient allocation of capital and 
resource.

We carefully consider opportunities to acquire, merge, or divest businesses in light 
of market dynamics, portfolio balance, and long-term value creation. We have been 
managing this risk, in part by selling some operations in Africa and expanding our 
footprint in Latin America through the purchase of Cable Onda in Panama.

Networks and Infrastructure Resilience: Disruptions to 
service, or compromised ability to restore services to 
customers in acceptable time frames, can cause loss 
of revenue, increase expenses, and have a negative 
impact on customer experience.

Cyber Security and Data Protection: Information secu-
rity and data protection increasingly place a burden of 
compliance and responsibility on companies like ours 
who retain, handle, and process sensitive customer 
data.

Our network resilience controls and mitigating activities include network redundancy, 
as well as business continuity management plans which are tested on a regular basis. 

We have processes in place to regularly assess threats and vulnerabilities to security 
breaches. Learn more on page 30 about the initiatives we implemented in 2018 to 
improve protection of critical systems, and ensure compliance with relevant data 
protection rules.

Spectrum and Licenses: The availability of licenses 
and spectrum is limited, closely regulated, and often 
expensive. Not obtaining these from regulators or third 
parties at a price we deem to be commercially accept-
able, or at all, remains a risk.

We often negotiate renewals/retention in the initial allocation contracts and we care-
fully consider opportunities to acquire new spectrum based on spectrum quality, fit 
with network needs, and customer demand. During 2018, we successfully obtained 
and renewed the spectrum we need to continue to operate our businesses, including 
acquiring new spectrum in El Salvador and Paraguay.

People, Workplace and Well-being: Our geographical 
footprint sometimes exposes employees to situations 
which may threaten their personal security.

We manage the health, safety, and well-being of staff based on international stand-
ards, industry best practice, and advice and support from local authorities. To learn 
more about our approach to employee health, safety, and security see page 44.

Compliance and Ethics: A lack of accountability and 
discipline in ensuring sufficient anti-bribery, anti-
corruption, and anti-money laundering procedures 
and controls could result in potential penalties, fines, 
reputational damage, and operational restrictions.

Through clear policies, training and monitoring activities, we ensure that all our 
staff remain aware of the risks to them as individuals and to the company and 
know how to act if faced with risk in these areas. See pages 75 - 76 for more infor-
mation on our anti-money laundering, anti-corruption and other business ethics 
action items in 2018.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixLiving Our 
Purpose 
Spotlight

Interview with 
Marcelo Cataldo

General Manager of Colombia Operations

Q:  What role does Colombia play in Millicom’s regional strategy and 

growth plans? 

A:  Colombia already represents 30 percent of revenue for Millicom in Latam 

region. Despite strong competition for our services in the country, we see a 

large upside opportunity to capture market share. 

Q: What are your goals for Tigo in Colombia?

A:  Connect every Colombian. By successfully executing our core business 

strategy, we are poised for even greater growth by:

»   Increasing 4G penetration from its current 30 percent and capitalize on 

the country’s significant innovation appetite.

»   Raising residential internet penetration from its current level near  

40 percent.

»   Transitioning customers from prepaid transactional (currently at around 

80 percent) to a recurring subscription model.

Q:  How do you see these business objectives connecting to Millicom’s 

purpose and corporate responsibility initiatives? 

A:  By increasing our overall penetration of internet users, we will give 

each Colombian an important tool to access the world. Building digital 

highways also advances the socioeconomic development of Colombia, 

bringing the latest innovations to our democracy and fast-growing 

economy. We’re proud of how our 2018 achievements have contributed 

to Colombians’ quality of life.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixSignificant 
Accomplishments  
in Colombia in 2018

»    Provided data transmission services for three major elections, including 

the Presidential election, which helped 19 million Colombians vote across 

1,000 different cities. TigoUne received a letter of congratulations from 

the Colombian government for delivering results in fewer than three hours.  

»   Served as technology partner for the Central American Olympic Games.

»    Launched Tigo ONEtv, an integrated linear and nonlinear TV choice that 

has so far garnered 20,000 customers, and is gaining momentum. 

»   First to introduce unlimited mobile data plans.

»     Achieved 50 percent occupancy in our new datacenter in less than a year.

Q:  Issues around transparency, corruption, and inappropriate use of 

the internet are sometimes raised as red flags by the investment 

community and other stakeholders when doing business in Latin 

American countries like Colombia. How do you respond to these?

A:   I am proud that Millicom holds itself to the highest standards of 

accountability and transparency and is a model for other companies 

working in the region. We have taken a leadership role in protecting 

children’s rights, freedom of expression, and anti-corruption issues. In 

2018, our Colombia operation: 

»    Ranked as one of the top five companies in Colombia in an assessment 

conducted by the Global Transparency Survey (GTS).

»    Ranked as one of 24 most transparent companies in Colombia and 

the only telecommunications company to receive a certificate from 

Colombia’s Secretary of Transparency. 

»     Conducted TigoUne research in partnership with Universidad EAFIT in 

Medellin to assess the risks and opportunities in the use of information 

and communications technology by children in their day-to-day lives (see 

pages 34 - 35 for more). 

»     Launched Contigo Conectados in Spanish ( 

  https://contigoconectados.

com/) using TigoUne research. This new CR campaign focuses on 

education, cyberbullying, excessive internet use, safety, social capital and 

participation, health, and the digital gap through proactive mediation, 

social innovation, and enhancing digital competencies. 

Q: What’s ahead for Millicom’s Colombia operations?

A:   We’re excited about the opportunity to carry on Millicom’s mission to 

provide the best, most secure digital highways. We want to be the first 

choice for customers in all our markets. Looking ahead to 2019 in Colombia, 

we want to connect ten new cities for the fixed business, increase our ability 

to reach more individuals in rural areas, and grow our 4G footprint. 

27
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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixLiving Our 
Purpose 
Spotlight

Santiago Londoño, Vice President B2B 
shares updates on Tigo Business 

Q: What did 2018 hold for the Tigo Business brand?

first phase of moving to a cluster working model, in which all 

A:  By helping thousands of businesses transform and grow with our 

applications can be hosted and replicated across the region within 

secure, high-speed business broadband services, we continued our 

evolution to become the strongest player in the region, solidifying 

our positioning as the #1 brand in five out of the eight countries 

we operate in. In 2018, we strengthened the brand’s ability to 

serve multinational companies, large local businesses and small 

and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) through three notable 

initiatives: a fiber ring that connects Latam countries, network 

resilience and several exciting SMB initiatives. 

Tier III datacenters, integrated through the expansive South 

American ring network. This in turn helps us achieve business 

continuity management plans to help minimize any disruption or 

compromised ability to restore services in acceptable timeframes.

Q:  Can you share some of the 2018 Tigo Business initiatives that 

helped SMBs succeed?

A:  In 2018, we rolled out our first SMB convergent offer in Bolivia. 

For a fixed monthly price, customers there can take advantage 

Q: How has the new fiber ring benefited all Latam countries,    

of “Soluciones a tu Medida” by purchasing a service package 

including our new customers in Panama?

based on individual needs. This package includes internet, HFC, 

A:  Expanded in November 2018, our fiber ring which connects 12 

countries from Mexico to Argentina provides a high-performance 

infrastructure that allows us to offer a single, connected network. 

This expansive, integrated network resulted in increased 

availability, greater transport capacity between countries, unified 

regional support, and network resilience to natural disasters and 

emergencies. With this new capability, Millicom can now widen 

mobile, and cloud solutions. With year-over-year growth of ten 

percent, the SMB segment represents an exceptional opportunity 

for Tigo Business to expand. It also supports our social purpose 

to help communities and economies prosper. Increasingly, 

commercial success depends on being connected, offering online 

distribution and sales channels, enabling web-based customer 

communications and service, and operating business-critical 

its communications services, datacenter, cloud, and co-location 

functions in the cloud.

to companies wanting to connect their offices or branches 

throughout the region.

Q:  Why and how have you prioritized network resilience?

Coffee Cup, El Salvador
https://youtu.be/N1kro5OKTME 

A:  Tigo Business customers need reliable, consistent connectivity 

because their livelihoods depend on uninterrupted access to the 

tools and services they need to succeed. In 2018, we began the 

Business Forum, Guatemala
https://www.youtube.com/ 
watch?v=eJLJnkWbkwE

28
2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixResponsible
Leadership in Action

CR
Fundamentals

Empowering
Women

Ethics

Environment

Purpose:
Build Digital Highways 
that connect people, 
improve lives
and develop 
communities

Inclusion

Supply
Chain

Protecting
Children

Human
Rights

Connecting
Communities

Living Our 
Purpose 
Spotlight

Respecting Human Rights and 
building a Culture of Privacy

At Millicom, part of building digital highways for our customers includes retaining, handling 

and processing sensitive data. As companies like ours face increasing levels of scrutiny and 

regulation around information security and data protection, we are focused on building a 

culture of privacy both internally at Millicom and in our markets. 

Internally, we have created a cross-functional task force to make sure these initiatives  

are being applied throughout the company. In 2018, we created a   

  Global Privacy Policy  

and worked on compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU. 

The launch of the policy was followed by a company-wide Privacy Day Awareness Campaign 

stressing the policy’s key elements and the importance of strong privacy practices. The 

policy implementation includes the designation of privacy champions in each business 

function at corporate and operational level, the implementation of our Privacy Management 

Tool to manage personal data processing activities and reporting, and mandatory online 

trainings for new hires and on an annual basis for the entire organization.

This past year, we also built on our global Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) 

conducted in 2017 and developed operation-level HRIAs. We did this by partnering with 

Business for Social Responsibility to customize and improve the tools used to assess human 

rights issues related to our business. In 2019, we will deploy an HR impact assessment 

toolkit in all our markets, and enhance employee training on human rights and the use of 

these tools.

We also participate in the Global Network Initiative (GNI), a collaborative network of NGOs, 

businesses, and academics who adopt a set of principles which are designed to promote 

privacy and freedom of expression when faced with government pressure to hand over user 

data, remove content, or restrict communications. Every two years, the GNI conducts an 

external assessment of company policies and practices to determine whether the company 

is making a good faith effort to meet those GNI principles. Our first assessment was 

conducted in Q4 2018. We will disclose the results from the assessment within six months of 

its completion. 

We recently revised our Policy for Law Enforcement Assistance and Major Events and 

adopted a new Governance Process for Human Rights Risks Related to Freedom of 

Expression and Privacy to strengthen our assessment of such risks and our commitment to 

protect our customers’ rights. You can also review our Law Enforcement Disclosure Report here.

In 2018, Millicom also accepted an invitation to serve on the Freedom Online Coalition 

(FOC) Advisory Network, comprised of governments that have committed to work together 

to support internet freedom and protect fundamental human rights – free expression, 

association, assembly, and privacy online – worldwide.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixLiving Our 
Purpose 
Spotlight

A Commitment to  
Data Security for our Customers

We take data security seriously and know our customers do too. Our processes for network and IT systems 

development include regular assessments of threats and vulnerabilities to security breaches, as well as the 

deployment of resources to mitigate those risks. The following key initiatives kicked off in 2018:

»   Formalized the Global Information Security Office (GISO): The office assumed responsibility for strategy, 

tactics, and oversight of all information security efforts within the broader Millicom environment. 

»   Developed a Global Security Operations Center: With 24/7 monitoring and analysis, the center 

consolidates and centralizes all local security operations management into a single, all-encompassing 

global information security operations center. Initial locations were rolled out in 2018, and we will 

complete deployment in late 2019.

»   Created a Global Vulnerability Management Program: To provide better insight into the technical security 

risks of the company, this program identifies and tracks risks and vulnerabilities within all operations. We 

initiated the program in 2018 and expect full rollout by the end of Q3 2019.

»   Developed a Global Identity and Access Management Program: Millicom initiated steps to centralize all 

business and critical access provisioning to more effectively manage user access, especially with respect to 

U.S. regulatory requirements. Phase One will address all regulatory requirements by the end of Q3 2019, 

with remaining deployment running through mid-2020.

For additional details about our approach to data security, see page 91 in the Governance section.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixPerformance: 
Responsible Leadership  
in Action

31
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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixConnecting Communities: 
Schools in El Salvador
Internet connectivity has become an essential 

part of educational success. We support the ICT 

Alliance for the Americas and its efforts to 

connect all schools in Latam through joint action 

by 2030. As an example of that support, we are 

providing internet connectivity to 350 public 

education centers in El Salvador. In 2018, we also 

delivered 25,000 tablets across more than 1,450 

public education centers that have benefited 

approximately 66,000 students. 

Learning to Code in Bolivia
To help Bolivian children access digital knowledge 

and future employment opportunities, Tigo 

Bolivia has implemented a program with local 

partner COGNOS-COGNOTEC, to teach coding 

skills to primary and secondary school students 

in public schools. This program was launched in 

2017. To ensure continuity and capacity building, 

schools commit to continue with the program 

after the first year. This allows the inclusion of 45 

new schools every year and the continuity of the 

courses. By the end of 2018, 38,267 children and 

adolescents had received this training.

Women, Children and 
Communities

As a company, we do more than just offer communications services. Our 

purpose is to build digital highways that connect people, improve lives, and 

develop communities. This purpose guides the actions that we take and 

how we conduct our business responsibly. 

This larger, overarching purpose puts us in a unique position to act as 

agents of positive change in the lives of our customers and communities we 

serve. Our approach to connectivity and the building of digital highways go 

hand in hand with setting our corporate responsibility programs and goals.

For example, gender inequality and poverty are risk factors in the countries 

where we operate because they limit the market for our products and 

services. By educating women and giving them digital tools to enhance 

their livelihoods, we seek to unleash their confidence and power to create 

durable prosperity in their communities. Similarly, our public education 

efforts and engagement with youth provide social benefit and new 

opportunities to children in Latin America, while helping us cultivate the 

informed, connected, and self-sufficient customer base we aspire to serve.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixKey Activities and Accomplishments
In 2018, we leveraged varied opportunities to create value and benefits for 

both Millicom and the communities we serve. Each initiative described in this 

section underscores how Empowering Women, Connecting Communities, and 

Protecting Children remain essential chapters in Millicom’s story.

Empowering Women: Our “Conectadas” Initiative
Gender equality expands economic growth, promotes social development, 

and enhances business performance. Digital financial services can increase the 

participation of women in the workforce and create opportunities for women 

in the formal market economy. According to the UN1, the full incorporation 

of women’s capacities into labor forces would add percentage points to most 

national growth rates - double digits in many cases.  

Connectivity can also help women bypass social restrictions and lead to better 

outcomes for their own livelihoods and their children’s health and education.

Females comprise half of our potential consumer base and available talent 

pool for employment. In 2018, we stepped up our commitment to women’s 

empowerment by committing all country operations to the Connected Women 

Initiative. This program from Groupe Spéciale Mobile Association (GSMA) 

strives to reduce the gap in the use of mobile and internet between men and 

women by 2020. By providing women with our technologies and services, we 

unlock opportunities and knowledge that allow families, communities, and 

economies to prosper and thrive.

In 2018, our gender 
parity efforts in 
Guatemala received 
recognition again 
by the Equals in 
Tech Awards. Of 357 
nominations from 
80 countries, we 
ranked among the 
top five finalists in 
the Leadership II 
Category and 
among the top 15 
overall. 

As we strategically promote digital highways and connectivity, this game-

changing initiative helps narrow the gender gap. In El Salvador alone, “Mujeres 

Conectadas” (Connected Women) trained 30,000 women on how to use 

smartphones, protect children online, and manage finances with Mobile 

Financial Services (MFS). Our goal by 2020: increase the total number of 

women trained in El Salvador to 100,000 and arrive at 50/50 gender parity. 

Furthermore, our Women’s Digital Inclusion program in Guatemala in 

partnership with the NGO Sheva, provides training to women and girls to 

reduce the digital gender gap, teaching them about the advantages of using 

mobile technology in their day-to-day lives. Training content includes online 

safety, privacy, and responsible use of social networks, among other areas. 

By the end of 2018, 23,848 women had been trained. The program began in 

Guatemala in 2017. Due to its success, it will be rolled out to all other Latam 

Tigo operations in 2019, complementing the digital inclusion programs 

already underway or serving as the initial program on this topic.

     1 https://sdgcompass.org/sdsg/sdg-5/  

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixProtecting Children 
As information and communication technologies rapidly penetrate all 

regions of the world, the use of these technologies increasingly informs 

children’s experiences. While these tools provide opportunities for learning, 

participation, and creativity, global concern has coalesced around how 

to reduce the risk of harm children face online. When developing online 

technologies, networks, services, and policies, service providers, parents, 

teachers, and others need to better understand the ways young people use 

the internet.

Protecting children has long been a cornerstone of our commitment in 

corporate responsibility to help them lead safer, healthier lives, with access 

to more opportunities through education and inclusion. Because of the 

nature of our business, online protection is an aspect where we can make 

a significant difference and maintain a leadership role. Through carefully 

designed programs, we bring years of dedication to this cause and leverage 

partners who share the same values. 

Consultations and Outreach
Too often children and adolescents are excluded from the design and 

planning phase of digital technology projects that will most impact 

them. In 2018, Millicom changed that by partnering with several local 

universities and organizations in Central and South America to conduct 

research and direct outreach to children and adolescents to acquire a 

better understanding of the risks and opportunities that the internet and 

communications technology pose for them. 

In Colombia, Millicom partnered with EAFIT University in Medellin to launch 

a first-of-its-kind assessment on internet and communications technology 

(ICT) use in children’s day-to-day lives that included participation from 485 

children aged nine to 16, plus the review of hundreds of best practices and 

more than 5,000 scientific articles.

With help from more than 500 local Tigo employee volunteers, Millicom 

will use the results of the research to design and implement a nationwide 

program to advance the safe and productive use of technology. 

The study identified many opportunities for parents, grandparents, and 

teachers to better engage with children on their internet use, as well as ways 

children and teens can use the internet to advance creativity and positive 

connections, all while minimizing risk. For example, our research shows the 

greater the use of the internet for educational activities, the less likely a child 

will be to send or request messages with sexual content and the increased 

likelihood they will not meet people they have encountered on the internet. 

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“ In Colombia, 
TigoUne contributed 
substantially to the 
production of useful and 
appropriate knowledge 
to promote the creative 
and responsible use of 
ICT among young 
people. ”

Maria Isabel Villa, Ph.D.
Communications. EAFIT University

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixGoing to the Source: Consultations with Children  
and Adolescents 
A long-standing premise of our work with children has been to protect and 

inspire them as they learn to use the internet safely and creatively. This is 

key in helping them become responsible digital citizens and thrive in an 

interconnected world. To inform the design of upcoming initiatives, we decided 

to reach out to them directly with the objective of better understanding how 

they regard and use technology as a tool for their voices to be heard and take 

part in decisions that affect the societies in which they live. 

With our “Crianza Tecnologica” partner, Paniamor Foundation, we conducted 

consultations in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Colombia, and Guatemala. The study 

included 157 adolescents between 14 and 19 years of age from public and 

private schools, and enabled participants to identify the main issues affecting 

them and alternatives to address and mitigate those issues through responsible 

ICT use. Key findings of the consultations show us that adolescents see the 

internet and technology as a platform to participate in society and have their 

voices heard. Even though they feel that because of their age they are not 

included in many conversations on important social issues, the internet allows 

them to have an awareness on these issues that also motivates them to take 

part in finding solutions.

Such findings will help us create relevant and effective initiatives aimed at 

supporting this key demographic.

Engaging Everyone in the 
Responsible and Creative Use 
of the Internet by Children
Our 2017 - 2018 study with EAFIT University in 

Colombia revealed some startling findings about 

children and adolescent internet use and the risks they 

face on line:

»   75 percent of children and adolescents connect to 

the internet via mobile phones versus 28 percent via 
laptop or computer. The greater the use of a 
handheld device in a private room, the more 
exposure a child has to sexual images or videos.

»   The average daily duration of connection for a 

nine-year-old is 1:46 hours and for a sixteen-year-old 
is five hours.

»   97 percent of children use the internet for school work; 

almost 50 percent spend time in a virtual world.

»   The greatest risk identified to children and adolescents 
related to internet and communications technologies 
is excessive use; 43 percent of children surveyed have 
tried, unsuccessfully, to go online less. 

»   30 percent of those surveyed have met strangers 
through the internet and 17 percent have met 
strangers in person.

“ Technologies allow us 
to inform ourselves 
on what is happening 
in the world, be more 
critical and express 
ourselves.”

Paniamor Foundation  
Consultation Participant 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixOverview

Strategy

Performance

Beyond Online Protection:  
Protecting Child Rights

The opportunities for helping children fulfill their potential are large. This is why we have collaborated with 

governments and nonprofits in other important ways, such as the mobile birth registration program which, 

in Tanzania alone, has given more than 2.1 million children since 2013 the basic right to an identity and the 

ability to access health care, education, and social protection. To ensure that our company respects child 

rights, we continue developing both partnerships and internal capabilities to positively impact children’s 

lives in as many ways as we can.      

Building on a previous assessment conducted by UNICEF, in 2018 we completed and deployed in all our 

Latam operations the Mobile Operator Child Impact Assessment (MOCRIA). This tool, developed jointly with 

UNICEF in 2016 is   

   publicly available and allows ICT companies to assess how and where our business 

may affect children and better understand our impact on child rights. For example, we can more clearly see 

the potential risk of child labor in our supply chains, or consider the impact of our marketing on children. 

Based on implementation of the tool, we created specific action plans and new procedures to deal with 

these impacts in 2018, including the establishment of Responsible Marketing Guidelines for Millicom. 

These new guidelines embed our values related to transparency and protecting children in our marketing 

and communications policies and procedures.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixStrategy

Performance

UNICEF Partnership Against Violence 
We remain committed to protecting the rights of children and adolescents 

in our Latam markets as they develop and grow into active participants 

in digital economies and societies. We believe we can best solve complex 

problems through partnerships in which each party focuses on their 

strengths. For several years, we have worked closely with UNICEF to provide 

thought leadership and share best practices industry-wide on how to 

prevent violence against children. In May 2018, we renewed our strong 

commitment to work with UNICEF in Latam through an updated three-

year collaboration agreement aimed at preventing violence and protecting 

children and teens in the region. 

As part of the agreement, Millicom supports programs related to the 

promotion of child rights, the safe use of technology, and violence 

prevention against children and teens across our markets in Latin America. 

During the first year of the renewed partnership, Millicom supported 

projects in Paraguay, El Salvador and Guatemala and hosted a two-day 

workshop with UNICEF and other subject matter experts to help the 

telecommunications industry understand its impact on children’s rights, and 

explore opportunities to scale and deepen the impact of our joint programs.

In Guatemala and El Salvador, Millicom supported the creation of new 

child helplines in both countries, through which children can seek advice on 

online risks like cyberbullying, grooming, and harassment, and also receive 

assistance in cases where their rights are being violated.

In Paraguay, the company supported a program that aims at using 

technology in classrooms and developing young leaders in the safe  

and responsible use of the internet. This program is being continued  

during 2019.

“ This agreement is an 
example of how the 
private sector can 
articulate sustainability 
strategies that center 
on childhood and 
youth. In a region that 
is becoming more 
digital, the online and 
offline prevention and 
protection of the most 
vulnerable ones, who 
are usually the children 
and teens, have to be 
priorities for us. ”

Stefan Stefansson
Responsible for UNICEF’s Private Sector 

for Latin America and the Caribbean. 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixPerformance: 
Our People Make  
Our Purpose Happen

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendix“ Our culture and our 
Tigo people are our 
absolute competitive 
advantage.”

Susy Bobenrieth
Chief Human Resources Officer

Performance:  
Our People Make  
Our Purpose Happen

With a global workforce of more than 21,000 individuals, over the past  

25 years Millicom has become one of the largest employers in many of the 

countries where we operate. Rooted in the dedication, agility, and skills of 

our people, we have brought connectivity to some of the most challenging 

and diverse markets in the world. Representing more than 50 nationalities, 

our enthusiastic ambassadors live our purpose in the work they do and inter­

actions they have within their communities every day. 

Millicom strives to be the employer of choice in all our markets ­ a company 

where people want to work because of the opportunities to learn, grow, and 

interact in a positive work environment and contribute to a greater purpose. 

It all starts by finding the right people and developing them in the right 

positions. To do this, we assess our talent based on present and future needs, 

 offering advancement opportunities based on merit and performance. 

Other elements of our approach include: 

»   Creating a positive and inclusive work culture;

»   Providing employees with a sense of purpose in their jobs; and

»   Ensuring our employees are safe, since many of them work in countries 

where security issues are a concern.

In this section, you will find highlights of key 2018 accomplishments related 

to our human capital.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixKey 2018 Activities and 
Accomplishments

Our “Sangre Tigo” 
Culture and Employee 
Engagement

Pride runs deep at Millicom, and it shows in the 

passion employees bring to work and the loyalty of 

long­serving team members. Many of our senior­level 

executives started in field sales or as customer service 

representatives. They stay with us because they believe 

in what we do and see room for professional growth 

and development.

We use the descriptor “Sangre Tigo” as a reference to 

the key values, practices, behaviors, and beliefs that are 

shared by all our employees across the board. Sangre 

Tigo helps us to define the beating heart that enables 

our organization to grow. 

Because of our strong company culture, we have 

earned our place as a top 25 employer in Latin 

America for two years in a row and were a recipient 

of “Great Place To Work” awards in many of the 

countries where we operate.

Culture Survey

We believe that a strong cultural reference closely aligned to our business strategy, gives us a strong competitive 

advantage. It needs to continue to evolve with the business, industry, and our markets.

In 2018, our Top Leadership Team came together to shape and determine this framework. They defined the specific 

attitudes and behaviors most relevant to our customers, employees, communities, and investors, that together make up 

Sangre Tigo’s DNA.  We also conducted a company-wide survey to better understand and define our culture in which more 

than 11,000 employees took part. The results helped us identify both cultural positives as well as improvement areas. 

In 2019, all our offices will work on evolving our cultural framework. We plan to appoint more than 100 internal 

ambassadors across Latam to spread the message and educate our organization towards our desired Sangre Tigo culture.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixSangre Tigo Culture at Work  
in Our Communities

Sangre Tigo is inseparable from giving back to our communities through our 

time and personal involvement. Our employees put in the passion and hard 

work while we provide the spaces, resources, and connections to meet the needs 

of our communities, leveraging everyone’s power to make a difference.  

We continue our core program on volunteering by focusing our efforts in Child 

Online Protection, which provides guidance to children, adolescents, teachers, 

parents, and caregivers on how to navigate digital technologies safely and 

productively. For example, our Colombia operation started deploying over 500 

volunteers in the last quarter of 2018 to provide such training, designed and 

developed according to the findings of the study described on pages 34 ­ 35. 

Furthermore, in 2017 Tigo Guatemala began its local implementation of our 

Tech Teaching Program based on the regional Crianza Tecnologica content, 

training 60 Tigo volunteers on online protection for children and adolescents. 

This group of volunteers led a program of educational talks aimed at primary 

school teachers that allowed us to reach a total of 771 teachers during that 

year. The next step was to adapt the contents of the program to pedagogical 

materials that teachers could use in their classes. We worked closely with the 

Ministry of Education and a group of experts in the design of the content 

and materials. The key messages focused on the risks associated with social 

networks and the internet and were presented in easy­to­use formats for 

classroom education. A first group of 150 teachers who received this training, 

were able to directly impact 4,395 children. By 2019, the goal is to train a 

further 1,000 teachers, which will allow us to directly reach more than 25,000 

students from first to sixth grade at primary school. 

In El Salvador, Tigo employees dedicated 2,000 volunteer hours to working in 

their communities, supporting essential projects such as constructing houses 

and providing education on child protection online.

Stepping Up in Difficult Times

In June 2018, the Volcan de Fuego eruption in central Guatemala affected 

1.7 million people, destroying homes, infrustructure and agriculture. An army 

of 130 Tigo volunteers responded swiftly to the crisis and co­ordinated relief 

efforts around­the­clock to provide aid, food, water, medicines, and blankets to 

those most in­need.

Our flagship programs co-exist with a readiness to help our communities in 

other areas of need at critical times. 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixRewards  
and Incentives

We reward our employees based on merit and perfor­

mance, striving to develop transparent, standardized 

packages and procedures across the organization. In 2018, 

our global rewards group implemented a new variable pay 

design for the top leadership of the company, that includes 

short-term incentive (STI) and long-term incentive (LTI) 

pay. The changes have had a positive impact on our com­

pany’s strategy; thus the Compensation Committee has 

agreed that no changes are required to the design of these 

programs for 2019. Approximately 370 employees receive 

part of their annual compensation package in Millicom 

shares via our Deferred Share Plan (DSP) or Performance 

Share Plan (PSP) equity compensation plans. To learn more 

about our remuneration policy, see pages 79 to 83. 

Standardized EOE Practices 
and Sensitivity Training 

In 2018, we standardized Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) practices. We 

also designed and implemented behavioral interviewing standards, which 

help determine which applicants are the best fit for Millicom. In addition, 

we have a structured recruiting process, where the decision­making is based 

on the assessment shared by different members of a relevant team, rather 

than on HR or the hiring manager alone.

We plan to continue sensitivity training programs with all employees to 

help them understand how to communicate and interact in ways that make 

everyone feel included. We also discuss what inclusion really means and 

share ways to recognize and break through social barriers.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixResponsible
Leadership in Action

CR
Fundamentals

Empowering
Women

Ethics

Environment

Purpose:
Build Digital Highways 
that connect people, 
improve lives
and develop 
communities

Inclusion

Supply
Chain

Protecting
Children

Human
Rights

Connecting
Communities

Diversity and Inclusion 

At Millicom, we take diversity and inclusion seriously across all 

Because we believe our differences unite us, we also actively recruit 

levels throughout our operations.

individuals with physical disabilities and hearing impairment at 

To support gender equality, we continue to close the pay gap and 

our facilities, adjusting work environments to accommodate their 

we strive to develop and promote women from within, as well as 

needs. This includes everything from adding ramps to the primary 

facilitate mobility between our operations and corporate offices. 

entrance at a call center to expanding aisle space in offices. We 

A few examples highlight our diversity and inclusion efforts in 2018:

»   Gender Pay Gap Analysis: We conducted a comprehensive gen­

invite you to learn more about Tigo Guatemala’s exemplary inclu­

sivity efforts in this video. 

der pay gap analysis at our headquarters and across all Latam 

operations to ensure equal remuneration between men and 

women. In operations where we identified issues, we will imple­

Diversity and Inclusion
 https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=9CwUBmXvi7I)

ment corrective actions.

»   Leadership Training in Costa Rica: We have selected women 

within Millicom who have demonstrated strong leadership po­

tential and enrolled them in the highly regarded INCAE Business 

School in Costa Rica for additional, advanced training. 

Global Policy to Promote a 
Positive Work Environment

In an effort to promote a positive work environment with freedom 

»   Mentoring Program in El Salvador: We implemented a women’s 

to express beliefs and acceptance of diverse backgrounds, we 

mentoring program called Empoderate, where female managers 

created a global policy in 2018. After first training the Executive 

mentor potential future female leaders using the VitalVoices.org 

Team on the new policy, we shared the policy with general 

mentoring framework. 

managers and their direct reports. As part of our implementation 

of the new policy, we have set key performance indicators that 

include more diversity, especially as it relates to gender equity and 

individuals with disabilities. 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixaccreditations, which means 100 percent of all Millicom 

operating entities are aligned to OHSAS and ISO 

standards

»    Approximately 80 percent of employees based in Miami 

attended educational sessions facilitated by the Miami 

Police Department during Millicom’s 2018 annual Safety 

and Security Matters week. Training sessions included 

Active Shooter, First Aid, Fire Marshal and Warden, 

Managers’ Roles and Responsibilities, Travel Safety & 

Security, Environmental Awareness, Occupational Health, 

and Stress & Well­being

»    For the third straight year, we improved our supplier 

due­diligence and vetting processes and conducted 

comprehensive compliance audits for those suppliers 

considered to be at greatest risk of significant health, 

safety, and security issues

»    A combined $1.8 million in savings from 2017 through 

our extended integrated services approach to the 

management of non-financial risk areas.

While we are proud of our 2018 health and safety 

accomplishments, we also understand there is always more 

work to do. In 2019, as we prepare for transition to the new 

ISO Health and Safety 45001 standard, we will address 

several specific observations from external audits related 

to increased engagement from all levels of management, 

further engagement of appropriate staff committees, and 

increased support for well­being, mental health and travel.

Workforce Health, 
Safety and  
Wellness Updates

Many of our employees live and work in emerging markets 

where security issues including civil unrest, armed and 

organized criminal activity, and terrorism may threaten 

personal security. When intense political and civil unrest 

spread across Nicaragua in 2018, more than 200 individuals 

were shot and killed, and over 2,000 were wounded. 

Millicom did not suffer the loss of any employees or business 

activities during that time, in part because of the sound 

controls put in place.

Millicom manages the health, safety, and well­being of its 

employees based on international (OHSAS) standards and 

industry best practices, with advice and support from local 

authorities. 

Our central security and safety team empowers and trains 

operational teams, and every market has a professionally 

trained and certified physical security and health and safety 

officer. All third-party vendors and partners must abide by 

our security and safety standards. 

In 2018, we successfully operated our businesses with a 

reduced number of health and safety­related incidents, 

both employee­related, as well as with contractors and 

outsourced service providers. No employee fatalities 

occurred in 2018. Other statistics from this past year include: 

»    80 percent reduction in the overall number of fatalities, 

with two fatalities reported among contractors, down 

from a total of ten in 2017

»    71 percent decrease in Lost Time Incident Rate for 

incidents causing greater than three days’ absence from 

work,  with Total Incident Rate remaining stable from 

2017

»    Our Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala operations 

achieved externally verified health and safety 

A colleague in El Salvador attends our annual international health 

and well-being program.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixTalent Acquisition, Growth and Development

2018 marked the second year of a five-year strategic initiative to enhance the ways in which we attract, grow,  

and develop talent within Millicom. 

As part of the program, we map the skill sets and capabilities of our current team, fill our bench with top 

candidates, and grow talent from within the company. In 2018, to fill open positions for critical jobs, we were able 

to promote internal candidates about 70 percent of the time. 

The program also includes preparation for executive succession, emergency plans, and focus on key countries. 

Tracking talent and creating succession plans strengthens our pipeline with diverse leaders across functions 

and levels. 

For pivotal job families, we are developing a career framework and curricula that addresses ideal career 

progressions and identifies the capabilities and resources needed to grow our business. 

To the extent that turnover happens, we strive to better understand how, when, and where it happens. We believe 

our new CR framework will assist with recruitment and retention because it gives employees a sense of purpose 

and the feeling they are making a contribution to something greater than themselves.

Consolidation of Operations 
and Organizational 
Effectiveness and Efficiency 

To align our structure across countries and drive operational excellence, 

innovation, and productivity, in 2018 we continued the consolidation 

of corporate functions, primarily to Miami. We also implemented an 

empowered organization and efficiency model in Latin America and created 

the Business Transformation Office (BTO). These actions make it easier for 

us to identify areas where we can become more efficient and share Best 

Management Practices (BMPs) across all our operations for the benefit of 

employees and customers.

In 2018, we also created a function to boost team and business 

performance by applying organizational effectiveness capabilities such as 

change management to the company. We started with deploying a change 

management framework for critical Millicom projects, and training and 

coaching change leads as part of our Change Management Subject Matter 

Expert program.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixPerformance: 
CR Fundamentals 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixEmpowering
Women

Ethics

Inclusion

Responsible
Leadership in Action

CR
Fundamentals

Environment

Protecting
Children

Supply
Chain

Purpose:
Build Digital Highways 
that connect people, 
improve lives
and develop 
communities

Human
Rights

Connecting
Communities

Corporate Responsibility Fundamentals: 
The Building Blocks for  
Fulfilling Our Purpose

The way we conduct our business is an essential building block to our 

success and expansion in the markets we serve. With a large regional 

footprint, we recognize our responsibility to minimize our impact on the 

planet, build trust with key stakeholders and partners, and model 

transparency. 

From reverse logistics to proactive supply chain management, we 

minimize the potential for harm while maximizing positive impacts and 

efficiencies. In 2018, we took significant steps toward this objective. This 

section contains key activities and accomplishments related to our 

environmental stewardship and supply chain management. Other CR 

fundamentals related to human rights and business ethics are covered 

in the Responsible Leadership in Action, and Governance sections of 

this report. 

Hybrid cooling system in TigoUne operations 
Titanium datacenter

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixKey 2018 Activities and Accomplishments

Reducing our Environmental 
Footprint

Energy costs, power outages, and increased regulations and costs 

related to disposing of e-waste can affect our business continuity 

and growth. Apart from our goal of being responsible stewards of 

the environment, we know that by reducing waste and operating less 

carbon-intensive networks, we are optimizing our business and serving 

our customers with improved connectivity and services.

Energy efficiency measures in our operations enable us to achieve 

stable operational expenses while our network expands. The benefits 

of securing network growth while managing the proportional increase 

of energy consumption and its related costs include the ability to 

provide our customers with affordable service and improved coverage, 

and maintain a competitive advantage in our markets. 

In 2018, we stepped up the collaboration among our CR and 

technical teams to leverage their vast pool of knowledge of the 

technologies and practices that enhance efficiency gains. This led to 

the development of the 2019–2023 Corporate Responsibility plan for 

our environmental performance. The Plan lays out the work we will do, 

focused on capability building, energy and resource efficiency, and 

carbon footprint reduction.  Find details of our 2018 environmental key 

performance indicators on pages 204–205 of the Appendix. 

Reverse Logistics and Global E-Waste Program 
Implemented in All Operations

Our approach to e-waste includes reverse logistics as a central element, as it helps us recover equipment that can be repaired and reused 

in the network.  Because of the nature of our business, the growth of our markets and the pace of technological changes, we handle great 

quantities of such equipment and therefore regard e-waste as an ongoing concern and opportunity. One focus area during 2018 was our 

Cable business. As it continues to grow in all of our markets, so does the importance and complexity of reverse logistics processes to 

properly track our Customer Premises Equipment (CPEs), which are important assets for the company, and quickly recover them when 

necessary as we upgrade our service. We have achieved significant improvements in two key aspects: 

»    Home recollection (making sure we recover equipment no longer in use by a customer); and

»    Laboratory recovery rates (repairing and refurbishing equipment as needed for redeployment to the network, thus reducing the need to 

buy new equipment).

The equipment that, due to obsolescence or deterioration, cannot be reintroduced to the network is processed by our approved e-waste 

vendors. This is the final step of a layered approach that effectively enables waste minimization and recovery of whole pieces of 

equipment and/or valuable materials that can then be recycled. We have been consistently increasing the amounts of recycled e-waste as 

a result of effectively rolling out the program in all operations.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixCommitment to Tier III 
Datacenters

By setting up the first Tier III certified state-of-the-art datacenter in Bolivia and 

with the acquisition of Cable Onda, we continued the progress we have made 

in recent years in Paraguay, Colombia, and Africa to modernize our datacenters. 

The goals for this program include: 

» Increase data protection measures;

» Automate facility operations;

» Optimize use of datacenter resources; and

» Increase energy efficiency up to 40 percent for the new datacenters. 

In 2019, we plan to add new cutting-edge datacenters in Nicaragua, Honduras, 

and El Salvador to fulfill the goal of having at least one highly energy efficient 

datacenter in each of the countries we serve.

Millicom Datacenters
www.youtube.com/ 
watch?v=1QBwd_2_2-g

Supply Chain  
Management 

Millicom’s commitment to corporate responsibility extends to its supply chain.  

Our   

   Supplier Code of Conduct requires suppliers to conduct themselves 

with the highest standards of honesty, fairness, and ethics and sets baseline 

expectations in the areas of health & safety, environment, fair labor and 

compliance. As part of our supplier qualification process and contractual 

process, suppliers must acknowledge that they will act in accordance with the 

“ The training has had a huge positive 

impact in our business. Thanks to this, 
we initiated an internal evaluation 
process through which many 
improvement opportunities were 
identified, leading to the creation and 

institutionalization of our CR policies.”

Rafael Ayala, General Manager
Ayala Quintanilla S.A DE C.V (participat-

ed in the 2017 supplier training)

First-in-Class CR Training for 
Key Suppliers
For the second straight year, Millicom sponsored 

a third-party program that has now trained more 

than 200 key suppliers on critical CR issues, such 

as Ethics, Privacy, Child Rights, Diversity, Health 

and Safety and Environmental Stewardship. A 

cross-functional team of procurement and CR 

staff, together with external subject matter 

experts, developed and conducted the 2018 

program. The training, which was enhanced 

through lessons learned during the 2017 

program, provided one-on-one follow-up to 

ensure our suppliers understand the high 

expectations and standards they need to meet 

Code of Conduct. Once the relationship is established we ask our suppliers to 

to do business with us, as well as the 

obtain a threshold score for their CR performance under Millicom’s sustainable 

procurement platform EcoVadis.

In 2018, we expanded the internal team responsible for supply chain 

opportunities available for vendors willing to 

walk the talk on corporate responsibility. In 2018, 

we also worked with each supplier to develop 

corrective action plans they will implement in 

management to enhance the evaluation of our suppliers. With EcoVadis, we 

2019 and beyond to address areas of 

can target our suppliers’ performance in key CR areas such as Environment 

improvement.

Stewardship, Labor & Human rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement, and 

customize practical means of evaluating the extent to which CR is embedded in 

suppliers’ business, products, and services. 

Moreover, our supplier portfolio in EcoVadis increased 28 percent from the 

previous year.  Also, absolute response rates for suppliers, increased from 47 

percent in 2017 to 64 percent in 2018. Supplier performance in EcoVadis is 

measured by the development of Corrective Action Plans, which impact their 

overall scores. For 2019, we will focus our efforts on working closely with our 

suppliers to continue improving current scores. We will also continue tailoring 

the platform to our business priorities and use other tools, such as the Supplier 

Training program, to further drive the pursuit of win-win, sustainable practices.

49
2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixPerformance: 
Our Financial Performance  
in 2018 

50
2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixChief Financial Officer’s Message

We entered 2018 with positive operational momentum, and 
this was sustained throughout the year and allowed us to 
report solid financial annual results, as we continued to  
execute on our strategy, which focuses on capturing the 
broadband opportunity in our Latin American markets.

A key measure of our financial success in 2018 is the Group’s return on invested capital 

(ROIC), which rose to 18.2% in 2018, up strongly from 16.2% in 2017, driven mostly by 

increased operating efficiency in Latam, and by a reduction in the amount of capital 

allocated to Africa and to passive infrastructure, such as mobile towers.

In our Latam segment, I am pleased to report that organic service revenue growth 

improved noticeably to 4.3% and exceeded our initial target of 2% to 4% for the year. 

EBITDA growth also improved to 3.5%, in line with our target, even as a number of one-off 

items affected reported growth by 1.0 percentage point. 

As we can see from these solid 2018 results, our strategy is now beginning to produce 

faster organic growth, while also generating cash flow in excess of what we need to fund 

our internal growth plans and to pay an attractive dividend to our shareholders. Against 

this backdrop and considering also our healthy balance sheet, we took the bold step of 

accelerating the company’s growth in 2018 by acquiring Cable Onda, Panama’s leading 

cable operator. The acquisition also accelerates the reconfiguration of our revenue mix, 

which is becoming increasingly subscription-based. This is enhancing the predictability and 

sustainability of the company’s financial performance and gives us increased confidence in 

our ability to deliver even faster growth over the medium term.

Following our acquisition of Cable Onda in December 2018, our leverage ended 2018 at 

2.5x on a proportionate net debt to EBITDA basis, above our target of around 2.0x, which 

we view as prudent when considering that the company operates in emerging markets 

where political and macroeconomic risks are high.

We are confident that by executing our strategy, delivering efficiencies, and investing 

carefully, we will continue to create value for shareholders over the long term.

This chapter provides a summary of the financial and operating performance of our Latin 

American and African segments through selected performance indicators which are based 

on our management reporting, presenting Guatemala and Honduras joint ventures as if 

fully consolidated. 

For more extensive details on Millicom’s financial performance please refer to pages 95 to 189.

Tim Pennington

Chief Financial Officer

51
2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixOur 2018 Financial Performance in Latin America 

During 2018, we continued to invest to rapidly expand both the reach 

Cable services, as well as mobile market share gains. Guatemala 

and capacity of our 4G mobile and hybrid fiber-cable (HFC) networks 

and Paraguay performed well and sustained above average levels of 

to meet strong pent-up demand for broadband services in the region.

profitability, while Colombia and Honduras showed very encouraging 

We are seeing these investments pay off, as organic service revenue 

growth accelerated to 4.3% year-over-year in 2018 from 0.9% growth 

in 2017, exceeding our targets. Importantly, growth improved in most 

signs of improvement throughout 2018. Among our six largest 

markets, El Salvador was the only one to disappoint, but we took 

meaningful steps throughout 2018 to improve our operating and 

country markets and in both our Mobile and Cable business units.

financial performance in 2019.

In Mobile, which accounts for 63% of Latam service revenues, 

organic service revenue growth improved to 1.3% year-over-year 

in 2018 from a decline of 2.3% in 2017, fueled by the addition of 

EBITDA growth for the Latam segment improved to 3.5% in 2018 

from 2.8% growth in 2017 on an organic basis. A number of one-

offs affected both years and reduced our reported growth by about 

3.2 million 4G customers. Our studies show that a typical customer 

1.0 percentage point in 2018. 

consumes about 30 - 40% more data after they upgrade from 3G 

Capex in Latin America totaled US$954 million in 2018. Although 

to 4G, and the ARPU from that customer increases approximately 

we spent almost US$50 million less than the $1.0 billion we had 

10%. At year-end, we had more than 10 million 4G customers, 

planned, we exceeded our network expansion plans in both Mobile 

which is still only about one-third of our total mobile customers in 

and Cable, as we remained focused on expanding both coverage 

the region, implying that we still have a long way to go to bring 

and capacity to enhance customer experience and reduce churn. 

mobile broadband services to all our customers.

By year-end, our 4G networks already covered approximately 65% 

In Cable, which generates about 36% of our Latam service revenue, 

organic service revenue growth accelerated to 10.0% in 2018, from 

7.3% in 2017. Over the past year, we expanded our HFC network to 

cover an additional 1.3 million homes, and we added 406,000 net 

customer relationships, while driving ARPU growth of 1.4% in reported 

dollar terms, even as currencies broadly weakened throughout the year.

By country, organic service revenue growth accelerated in Bolivia, 

Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras, and remained stable in 

Paraguay, while EBITDA grew in our five largest markets. Our 

performance in Bolivia was particularly robust, driven by the rapid 

expansion of our HFC network and strong pent up demand for 

of the population in our markets, up from 56% at the end of 2017. 

Good 4G network coverage is allowing us to continue to deploy 

more capital toward our Cable build, and network investment was 

split approximately 68% Cable and 32% Mobile in 2018. Customer 

premise equipment deployed to support the growth of our Cable 

customer base accounted for more than 30% of our total capex in 

the region, indicating that an important part of our capex is success-

driven and variable in nature, thereby enhancing the predictability 

of our financial performance. 

LATAM

Revenue by 
country

Revenue by 
service*

3%
Other

7%
El Salvador

12%
Paraguay

36%
Cable
US$1,808m
10.0% Growth

1%
Other
US$48m

63%
Mobile 
US$3,214m
1.3% Growth

30%
Colombia

25%
Guatemala

5,069

Service Revenue
Organic growth +4.3%

2,077
EBITDA
Organic growth +3.5%

11%
Honduras

11%
Bolivia

Our Latin America (Latam) segment includes our Guatemala 
and Honduras joint ventures as if they were fully consolidated.

Service revenue, EBITDA and organic growth are non-IFRS 
measures. Please refer to page 196 for description of  
non-IFRS measures.

* Other service revenue not allocated to the Business  Units 
includes revenue from tower rentals and contact center services.

AFRICA

Revenue by 
country

Revenue by 

service*

24%
Chad

2%
Cable
US$12m
15.9% Growth

1%
Other
US$3m

526
52
Service Revenue
2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T
Organic growth +0.9%

143

EBITDA

Organic growth +4.0%

97%

Mobile

US$510m

0.8% Growth

76%

Tanzania

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixOur markets in numbers

Colombia

Revenue by 
service*

Cable
US$892m
4% Growth

Others
US$37m

Mobile 
US$624m
2% Growth

Paraguay

Revenue by 
service*

Cable
US$207m
19% Growth

Others
US$1m

Mobile 
US$423m
0% Growth

Others
US$1m

Cable
US$149m
57% Growth

Bolivia

Revenue by 
service*

Mobile 
US$446m
1% Growth

CABLE
Customer relationships
1,674,000

As of year end 2018

Service revenue US$m
Organic growth 3.5%

2018

2017

$1,553

$1,614

EBITDA US$m
Organic growth 4.4%

2018

2017

EBITDA margin %

2018

2017

$494

$469

29.7

27.0

Service revenue US$m
Organic growth +5.5%

2018

2017

EBITDA US$m
Organic growth +5.1%

2018

2017

EBITDA margin %

2018

2017

$632

$622

$332

$318

48.8

48.0

Service revenue US$m
Organic growth +11.1%

2018

2017

EBITDA US$m
Organic growth +7.3%

2018

2017

EBITDA margin %

2018

2017

$597

$549

$232

$217

37.8

39.1

41,000

Net additions

+3%

YOY Growth

MOBILE
4G smartphone data users
2,688,000

As of year end 2018

673,000

Net additions

+25%

YOY Growth

CABLE
Customer relationships
406,000

As of year end 2018

38,000

Net additions

+10%

YOY Growth

MOBILE
4G smartphone data users
988,000

As of year end 2018

322,000

Net additions

+48%

YOY Growth

CABLE
Customer relationships
389,000

As of year end 2018

158,000

Net additions

+69%

YOY Growth

MOBILE
4G smartphone data users
1,741,000

As of year end 2018

351,000

Net additions

+25%

YOY Growth

Earnings release  pdf

*Others includes revenue from tower 
rentals and contract center services.

53
2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendix 
Our markets in numbers

El Salvador

Revenue by 
service*

Cable
US$127m
–2% Growth

Others
US$3m

Mobile 
US$242m
–5% Growth

Guatemala**

Cable
US$184m
21% Growth

Others
US$1m

Revenue by 
service*

Mobile 
US$1,014m
4% Growth

Others
US$5m

Mobile 
US$463m
–1% Growth

Honduras**

Cable
US$87m
16% Growth

Revenue by 
service*

Service revenue US$m
Organic growth –4.6%

2018

2017

$371

$398

EBITDA US$m
Organic growth –14.2%

2018

2017

EBITDA margin %

2018

2017

$133

$155

32.9

36.6

Service revenue US$m
Organic growth +6.2%

2018

2017

EBITDA US$m
Organic growth +5.6%

2018

2017

EBITDA margin %

2018

2017

$1,200

$1,182

$689

$665

50.2

50.1

Service revenue US$m
Organic growth +1.8%

2018

2017

EBITDA US$m
Organic growth +3.4%

2018

2017

EBITDA margin %

2018

2017

$555

$566

$268

$265

45.8

45.3

CABLE
Customer relationships
273,000

As of year end 2018

(38,500)

Net additions

–12%

YOY Growth

MOBILE
4G smartphone data users
596,000

As of year end 2018

285,000

Net additions

+92%

YOY Growth

CABLE
Customer relationships
485,000

As of year end 2018

124,000

Net additions

+34%

YOY Growth

MOBILE
4G smartphone data users
2,870,000

As of year end 2018

902,000

Net additions

+46%

YOY Growth

CABLE
Customer relationships
165,000

As of year end 2018

14,000

Net additions

+9%

YOY Growth

MOBILE
4G smartphone data users
1,197,000

As of year end 2018

646,000

Net additions

+117%

YOY Growth

* Others includes revenue from tower rentals and contract center services.

** Our Latin America (Latam) segment includes our Guatemala and Honduras 

joint ventures as if they were fully consolidated.

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2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixOur markets in numbers

Costa Rica

Revenue by 
service

Panama

Revenue by 
service

Cable  
US$151m
1% Growth

CABLE
Customer relationships
264,000

As of year end 2018

16,500

Net additions

+7.0%

YOY Growth

100%Cable  

CABLE
Customer relationships
476,000

As of year end 2018

Revenue Generating 
Units (RGUs)
923,000

As of year end 2018

Millicom’s acquisition of Panama was closed on 
December 13, 2018

55
2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixOur 2018 Financial  
Performance in Africa  

Our consolidated Africa operations comprise Tanzania, including Zantel, and Chad, and 

these deliver around 9% of Millicom’s Group revenue, predominantly from Mobile services.

Millicom’s strategy in the region is focused on accelerating and growing mobile data 

adoption, strengthening our Mobile Financial Services (MFS) capabilities, and growing B2B.

In 2018, we added 1.3 million B2C mobile subscribers bringing the total to about 16 million, 

a year-on-year increase of 8.6%. 

Our efforts to drive digitized payments and innovations with our Mobile Financial Services 

(MFS) has also brought a positive outcome. The number of customers using MFS grew 4.6% 

7%
and reached more than 7 million accounting for 45% of our B2C Mobile customer base as 
El Salvador

3%
Other

of year-end 2018.
LATAM
1%
Other
The region’s financial results showed a meaningful improvement in 2018, following a more 
US$48m

5,069
Service Revenue
Organic growth +4.3%

12%
Paraguay

25%
Guatemala

Revenue by 
challenging 2017. 
country

Revenue by 
service*

Organic service revenue growth improved to 0.9% year-over-year from a decline of 5.5% 

in 2017, while organic EBITDA growth reached 4.0% in 2018 from a decline of 12.1% 

2,077
EBITDA
in 2017. The improvement was underpinned by more favorable operating conditions in 
Organic growth +3.5%

63%
Mobile 
US$3,214m
1.3% Growth

36%
Cable
US$1,808m
10.0% Growth

Tanzania.

30%
Colombia

Our capital investment in Africa totaled US$40 million for the full year 2018, and the region 

11%
Honduras

generated US$91 million of operating free cash flow, consistent with our strategic objective 

11%
Bolivia
of ensuring that the Africa segment be self-sufficient and fund its internal growth and 

capital requirements.

AFRICA

Revenue by 
country

Revenue by 
service*

24%
Chad

2%
Cable
US$12m
15.9% Growth

1%
Other
US$3m

97%
Mobile
US$510m
0.8% Growth

526
Service Revenue
Organic growth +0.9%

143
EBITDA
Organic growth +4.0%

76%
Tanzania

Service revenue, EBITDA and organic growth are non-
IFRS measures. Please refer to page 196 for description 
of non-IFRS measures.

* Other Service Revenue not allocated to the Business   
Units includes revenue from tower rentals.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixGovernance: 
Governance and Business 
Ethics 

57
2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsGovernance:  
Governance and Business Ethics 

Doing the Right Things for the Right Reasons
Chairman’s Report
Millicom’s Board of Directors (“the Board”) and its committees dealt with many 
significant strategic, operational and compliance matters during 2018. These 
included further enhancement of governance structures related to the Group’s 
joint ventures, ongoing development of compliance and control programs, 
oversight of the process of acquiring the Cable Onda (Panama) operation, and 
preparation for re-listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market in the U.S..

Role of the Board
The Board is responsible for approving Millicom’s strategy, 

financial objectives, and operating plans and for oversight of 

Strength through Diversity, Teamwork and 
Sharing
Millicom’s diversity of people in our operating countries, 

governance. The Board also plans for CEO succession and 

offices, and headquarters is a key strength. We value 

reviews plans for other senior management positions.

different perspectives, encourage the sharing of 

Board Changes
We welcomed Mr. Lars-Åke Norling to the Board in 

September 2018. Mr. Norling brings significant experience in 

leadership and digital transformation in the 

telecommunications business.

alternate viewpoints, and promote equal opportunity. 

These remain core elements that contribute to Millicom’s 

corporate culture.

We are proud of our success in fostering strong work place 

environments and the accolades received in this respect.

I would like to thank Alejandro Santo Domingo for his 

long-standing role as a Director of the Board and his 

Compliance
During 2018, we continued building and refining our 

contributions to both the Board and the Compliance and 

compliance program, supported by the Executive 

Business Conduct Committee during his tenure. Gratitude 

Committee and our Ethics and Compliance team.

also goes to Simon Duffy for his role and valuable 

contributions to both the Audit Committee and Board over 

recent years. Both Mr. Santo Domingo and Mr. Duffy 

stepped down from the Board in May 2018.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to reconfirm our 

commitment to a culture of compliance and strong internal 

control that leads to strength and success. We are proud to 

be a leader in our dedication to ethics and compliance in our 

In November 2018, Millicom also announced the proposed 

markets. We look forward to engaging with you and thank 

election of José Antonio Rios García as new Chairman of the 

you for being part of the Millicom journey.

Board, as well as Pernille Erenbjerg and James Thompson as 

new Directors of the Board, replacing myself and Anders 

Jensen. As the company passes the baton to these new 

leaders, we look forward to many years of continued success 

Tom Boardman

in delivering on our mission as a company.

Former Chairman of the Board of Directors

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsCorporate Governance Framework

Background
Millicom International Cellular S.A. 
(“Millicom” or the “Company”) is a public 
limited liability company (société 
anonyme) governed by the Luxembourg 
law of August 10, 1915 on Commercial 
Companies (as amended), incorporated 

on June 16, 1992, and registered with 
the Luxembourg Trade and Companies’ 
Register (Registre du Commerce et des 
Sociétés de Luxembourg) under number 
B 40 630. The Millicom Group comprises 
Millicom and its subsidiaries, joint 
ventures and associates.

Millicom’s shares are listed on Nasdaq 
Stockholm in the form of Swedish 
Depository Receipts and on the Nasdaq 
Stock Market in the U.S. as from January 
9, 2019.

Millicom’s Corporate Governance Framework is primarily based on the following legislation, principles and regulations:

Publication
Swedish Code of Corporate Governance
Luxembourg Law
EU Directives and Regulations
Nasdaq Stockholm Issuer Rule Book
Nasdaq Stock Market Rules
U.S. Securities Laws
Good Stock Market Practice

Authority
Guiding Principles
Legislation
Legislation
Regulation
Regulation
Regulation
Guiding Principles

Philosophy
Comply or Explain
Comply
Comply
Comply
Comply
Comply
Corporate Citizenship

Millicom governance deviated in 2018 in relation to the Swedish Code in the following areas:

Code requirement
1.5–A shareholder, or a proxy representative of a 
shareholder, who is neither a member of the board 
nor an employee of the company is to be appointed 
to verify and sign the minutes of the shareholders’ 
meeting.
9.7–Vesting of share-related incentive programs to 
be no less than three years.

Millicom practice
Minutes are signed by the chairman of 
the shareholders’ meeting (who is not a 
member of the Board or an employee of 
the Company), the meeting Secretary 
and an appointed Scrutineer.
Deferred share incentive plans contain 
vesting of 16.5%–30% of granted 
shares after one year, 16.5%–30% 
after two years, and 40%–67% after 
three years.

Explanation
While this represents a deviation 
from the Swedish Code, Millicom 
follows Luxembourg Law in 
connection with procedures and rules 
for its shareholders’ meetings.
The Company believes that this 
vesting schedule ensures alignment 
between the interests of the 
Company’s shareholders and its 
employees.

Within these frameworks, the Board has 
developed and continuously evaluates 
internal guidelines and procedures, as 
further described below, to ensure 
quality and transparency of corporate 
governance practices within Millicom.

Swedish Corporate Governance Code
The Swedish Corporate Governance 
Code (the “Swedish Code”) promotes 
positive development of corporate 

governance. The Code complements 
laws and regulations and sets its good 
practice level above regulatory 
requirements. The Swedish Corporate 
Governance Board states that self-
regulation is often preferable to 
mandatory legislation and therefore 
allows companies to deviate from its 
rules, following a “comply or explain” 
philosophy.

Compliance with Applicable Stock 
Exchange Rules
There has been no infringement of 
applicable stock exchange rules and no 
breach of good practice on the securities 
market reported by Nasdaq Stockholm’s 
disciplinary committee or the Swedish 
Securities Council in 2018.

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2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsCorporate Governance Structure
Millicom’s Corporate Governance structure comprises the following three levels:

1.

Shareholders and representatives
of shareholders.

2.

Board of Directors and Committees 
appointed by the Board from among 
its members.

 Shareholders’ meeting

 Nomination Committee

 Board of Directors

  Compliance and Business
 Conduct Committee

 Compensation Committee

 Audit Committee

3.

CEO and Executive management, 
and its main functions managing 
governance, risk, compliance and 
ethics (including security), corporate 
responsibility, controls.

 Chief Executive Officer

 Internal Audit

 Executive Management Team

  Compliance and  
Business Ethics

 Business Control

 Risk Management

 Corporate Responsibility

1.  Shareholders and shareholders’ 

meeting

The shareholders’ meeting is the highest 
decision-making body of Millicom and a 
forum for shareholders to exercise 
influence. Each shareholder has the right 
to participate in the shareholders’ 
meeting and to vote according to the 
number of shares owned. Shareholders 
unable to attend in person may exercise 
their rights by proxy.

Millicom’s Articles of Association (as 
amended on May 4, 2018) set the Annual 
General Meeting of Shareholders (“AGM”) 
to be held within six months of the close 
of the financial year in Luxembourg.

Millicom’s Articles of Association are 
available in the “Governance” section of 
Millicom’s website. Unless otherwise 
required under Luxembourg law, an 

extraordinary general meeting must be 
convened to amend any provisions of 
the Articles of Association.

At the 2018 AGM, which was held on 
May 4, 2018, the following key items 
were decided:

•  Approval of the 2017 Consolidated 

Financial Statements and distribution 
of a dividend of US$2.64 per share;

•  Approval of a Share Repurchase Plan. 

On the same date, an Extraordinary 
General Meeting (“EGM”) was held 
during which several amendments were 
made to the Articles of Association.

On January 7, 2019, an EGM was held at 
which the following key items were 
decided:

•  Resignation and election of two 

•  Election and re-election of the Directors 

Directors;

•  Amendment to the Articles of 
Association of the Company 
regarding the procedure for 
nomination of directors.

until the date of the 2019 AGM;

•  Reappointment of Ernst & Young 
(“EY”) as the external auditor;

•  Approval of remuneration to the 

Board and auditor and procedures  
for the Nomination Committee;

•  Approval of guidelines for the 

remuneration of senior management; 
and

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsNomination Committee

Nomination Committee
Ms. Cristina Stenbeck
Mr. John Hernander
Mr. Scott Cobb

On behalf of:
Kinnevik AB
Nordea Investment Funds
Southeastern Asset Management

Position
Chairman
Member
Member

The Nomination Committee is 
appointed by the major shareholders of 
Millicom. It is not a committee of the 
Millicom Board. The Nomination 
Committee’s role is to propose decisions 
to the shareholders’ meeting in a 
manner which promotes the common 
interests of all shareholders. The 
Nomination Committee has a term of 
office typically commencing at the time 
of the announcement of the interim 
report for the period January to 
September each year and ending when 
a new Nomination Committee is formed.

At the January 7, 2019 Extraordinary 
General Meeting, it was resolved that 
the articles of association of the 
company be amended to stipulate that 

the Nomination Committee rules and 
procedures of the Swedish Code of 
Corporate Governance shall be applied 
for the election of Directors to the Board 
of Directors of the Company, as long as 
such compliance does not conflict with 
applicable mandatory law or regulation 
or the mandatory rules of any stock 
exchange on which the Company’s 
shares are listed. Nomination Committee 
proposals to the AGM include:

•  Election and remuneration of Directors 
of the Board, and Chairman of the 
Board;

•  Appointment and remuneration of the 

external auditor; and

•  Proposal of the Chairman of the AGM.

Under the terms of the Nomination 
Committee charter, the Nomination 
Committee consists of at least three 
members, with a majority representing 
the larger shareholders of the Company.
The current Nomination Committee was 
formed during July 2018, in consultation 
with larger shareholders of the Company 
at June 20, 2018 and in accordance with 
the resolution of the 2018 AGM.

The table below sets out beneficial 
ownership of Millicom common shares, par 
value US$1.50 each, by each person who 
beneficially owns more than 5% of Millicom 
common stock at December 31, 2018. 

Shareholder
Kinnevik AB
Dodge & Cox
Southeastern Asset Management

Number of
shares
37,835,438
8,128,305
5,852,130

%
Shareholding
37.2
8.0
5.8

Footnote: Except as otherwise indicated, the holders listed above (“holders”) have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned by them. 
The holders have the same voting rights as all other holders of Millicom common stock. For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial 
ownership” of any shares as of a given date which such person or group of persons has the right to acquire within 60 days after such date. For purposes of computing the 
percentage of outstanding shares held by the holders on a given date, any security which such holder has the right to acquire within 60 days after such date (including 
shares which may be acquired upon exercise of vested portions of share options) is deemed to be outstanding, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of 
computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

Promoting Board Diversity
Millicom’s Nomination Committee 
recognizes the importance of diversity 
for promoting strong corporate 
governance, competitive advantage, and 
effective decision-making. The 
Nomination Committee is responsible 
for periodically determining the 
appropriate skills, perspectives, 
experiences, and characteristics required 

of Board candidates, considering the 
Company’s needs and current Board 
composition. This determination will 
include knowledge, experience, and skills 
in areas that are critical to understanding 
the Company and its business; richness of 
views brought by different personal 
attributes such as gender, race, age, and 
nationality; and other personal 
characteristics, such as integrity and 

judgment; and candidates’ commitment 
to the boards of other publicly-held 
companies. 

In its work, the Nomination Committee 
applies rule 4.1 of the Swedish Corporate 
Governance Code as its diversity policy, 
and the ambition to further improve 
gender diversity is included in the 
Nomination Committee charter.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancials2.  Board of Directors and Board 

Independence of the Board

committees

The Chairman convenes the Board and 
leads its work. The Chairman is 
accountable to the Board and acts as a 
direct liaison between the Board and the 
management of the Company, through 
the CEO. Together with the CEO, meeting 
agendas are set and the Chairman acts 
as the communicator for Board decisions 
where appropriate.

Role of the Board

Millicom’s Board of Directors (the 
“Board”) is responsible for approving 
Millicom’s strategy, financial objectives, 
and operating plans, and for oversight of 
governance. The Board also plans for 
management succession of the CEO and 
reviews plans for other senior 
management positions.

As set forth in the Company’s Articles of 
Association, the Board must comprise at 
least six members. The 2018 AGM set 
the number of Directors at eight, 
comprising a Chairman and seven 
members (all of whom are Non-
Executive Directors).

The Board selects the CEO, who is 
charged with the daily management of 
the Company and its business. The CEO 
is responsible for recruiting, and the 
Chairman of the Board is responsible for 
approving, the senior management of 
the company. The Board reviews and 
approves plans for key senior 
management positions, and the Board 
supervises, supports and empowers the 
senior management team, and monitors 
their performance. In accordance with 
the Swedish Code, the division of work 
between the Board and the CEO is set 
out in “The Rules of Procedure, 
Instruction to the CEO, and Reporting 
Instruction”.

Further details on the roles and activities 
of the various committees, as well as 
their responsibilities and activities, are 
set out later in this section.

   Board of Directors

Chairman, Deputy Chairman and six  
members

  Non-Executive Directors

   Independent from the Company and its 
Executive Management

   100% 
José Antonio Ríos García 
Pernille Erenbjerg 
Odilon Almeida 
Janet Davidson 
Tomas Eliasson 
Lars-Åke Norling 
Roger Solé Rafols 
James Thompson

  Not independent of the major shareholders

   13% 
Lars-Åke Norling 

deliberating and voting on any 
matters that pertain to such contract 
or transaction at any meeting of the 
Board of the Company; and

II.  any such personal interest shall be fully 

disclosed to the Company by the 
relevant Director, officer or employee.

If any Director or officer of the Company 
should have any personal interest in any 
transaction of the Company, the Director 
shall make known to the Board such 
personal interest and shall not consider 
or vote on any such transaction, and 
such transaction and such Director’s or 
officer’s interest therein shall be reported 
to the next general meeting of 
shareholders.

Powers and Limitations of the Board
Borrowing powers–The Board has 
unrestricted borrowing powers on behalf 
of, and for, the benefit of Millicom.

Time and age limit–No age limit exists 
for being a Director of Millicom. Directors 
can be elected for a maximum period of 
six years before either re-election or 
ending service. Directors are generally 
elected annually. There are no 
restrictions on the maximum continuous 
period that a Director can serve. 
Directors hold office until their 
successors are elected.

Restrictions on voting–No contract or 
other transaction between the Company 
and any other person shall be affected 
or invalidated by the fact that any 
Director, officer or employee of the 
Company has a personal interest in, or is 
a director, officer, or employee of such 
other person, except that:

I.  such contract or transaction shall be 
negotiated on an arm’s-length basis 
on terms no less favorable to the 
Company than could have been 
obtained from an unrelated third party 
and, in the case of a Director, the 
Director shall abstain from 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsShare Ownership Requirements
The Directors are not required to be 
shareholders of the Company. Share 
ownership of Directors is included in the 
Director biographies set out on the 
following pages.

The Corporate Secretary is also a 
confidante and resource to the Board and 
senior management, providing advice 
and counsel on Board responsibilities and 
logistics, and plays a leading role in the 
Company’s corporate governance.

Chairman of the Board

Chief Executive Officer

The Chairman is elected by the AGM. If the 
Chairman relinquishes the position during 
the mandate period, the Board is to elect a 
Chairman from among its members to 
serve until the end of the next AGM.

Deputy Chairman of the Board

If elected, the Deputy Chairman of the 
Board acts as a sounding board and 
provides support for the Chairman. The 
Deputy Chairman convenes Board 
meetings in accordance with the 
Company’s Articles of Association, and 
leads its work in the event the Chairman is 
unavailable or is excused from Board 
meetings. The Deputy Chairman may act 
as an intermediary for other Directors if 
there are conflicts among Board members 
or between the Chairman and the CEO, as 
and when necessary. The Deputy 
Chairman leads the annual processes for 
evaluation of the performance of the 
Board and of the Chairman. Additional 
roles and responsibilities of the Deputy 
Chairman can be determined by the 
Board.

Corporate Secretary

The Corporate Secretary is appointed by 
the Board. The role of the Corporate 
Secretary is to ensure that Board 
members have the proper advice and 
resources for performing their duties to 
shareholders under the relevant legal 
frameworks. The Corporate Secretary is 
also responsible for organization and 
coordination of Board and Committee 
meetings, and ensuring that the records, 
or minutes of those meetings, reflect the 
proper exercise of those duties.

The CEO is responsible for leading the 
development and execution of the 
Company’s strategy with a view to 
creating shareholder value, together 
with the management team. The CEO is 
responsible for day-to-day activities of 
the Company and management 
decisions, both operating and financial. 
The CEO acts as a direct liaison between 
the Board and management of the 
Company and communicates to the 
Board on behalf of management.

The CEO also leads communication on 
behalf of the Company to shareholders, 
employees, government authorities, 
other stakeholders, and the public.

Board Membership, Balance and 
Independence

The Nomination Committee and the 
Board periodically review the size and 
balance of the Board to determine 
whether any changes are appropriate. 

At the AGM, held annually within six 
months of the end of the financial year, or 
at any other general meeting of 
shareholders, shareholders may vote for or 
against the Directors proposed by the 
Nomination Committee or may elect 
different Directors.

The Board has adopted the qualification 
guidelines of an “independent director” 
as defined by the Swedish Code, and 
with consideration of specific 
independence requirements of the 
Nasdaq Stock Market rules. A director’s 
independence is determined by a 
general assessment of all factors that 

may give cause to question the 
individual’s independence of the 
Company or its Executive Management. 
Factors that are considered include 
whether the individual:

• 

• 

is the CEO, or has been the CEO, of the 
Company or a closely-related 
company within the past five years;

is employed, or has been employed, by 
the Company or a closely related 
company within the last three years;

•  receives a not insignificant 

remuneration for advice or other 
services beyond the remit of the 
Board position from the Company, a 
closely-related company or a person 
in the executive management of the 
Company;

•  has, or has within the last year, had a 
significant business relationship or 
other significant financial dealings with 
the Company or a closely-related 
company as a client, supplier or partner, 
either individually or as a member of 
the Executive Management, a member 
of the Board or a major shareholder in 
a company with such a business 
relationship with the Company;

• 

• 

is or has within the last three years 
been a partner at, or has, as an 
employee, participated in an audit of 
the Company conducted by, the 
Company’s or a closely-related 
company’s current or then auditor;

is a member of the executive 
management of another company if a 
member of the board of that company 
is a member of the executive 
management of the Company; or

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancials•  has a close family relationship with a 
person in the executive management 
or with another person named in the 
points above, if that person’s direct or 
indirect business with the Company is 
of such magnitude or significance as 
to justify the opinion that the Board 
member is not to be regarded as 
independent.

In accordance with the Swedish Code:

•  The majority of Millicom’s Board must 

be independent from the Company and 
its Executive Management (all Millicom 
Directors meet this criteria); and

•  at least two of those independent 

Directors must also be independent 
from the Company’s major 
shareholders (seven of Millicom’s 
Directors meet this criteria); and

•  not more than one member of the 
Board may be part of the executive 
management team of the Company or 
any of its subsidiaries (no members of 
the Executive Team sit on the Board).

In addition, in accordance with Nasdaq 
Stock Market rules:

•  The Audit Committee must have at 

least three members, all of whom meet 
the Nasdaq Stock Market and SEC’s 
relevant definitions of independence.

Gender of the Board

Male
75%
Female
25%

Tenure of Directors

1st year
3
2nd year
2
3rd year
1
4th year
1
5th year
1

Nationalities

American
3
Swedish
2
Spanish
1
Danish
1
Brazilian
1

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsBoard Profile: Skills and Experience

Mr. José Antonio Ríos García  
(Venezuelan and American)
Chairman, Non-Executive Director

Ms. Pernille Erenbjerg   
(Danish)
Deputy Chairman, Non-Executive Director

Mr. Odilon Almeida 
(Brazilian) 
Non-Executive Director

(FIRST APPOINTED: MAY 2017)

(FIRST APPOINTED: JANUARY 2019)

(FIRST APPOINTED: MAY 2015)

Mr. José Antonio Ríos García was re-elected 
to the Board in May 2018 and was elected 
as the Chairman of the Board in January 
2019. He is also a member of the Audit 
Committee and the Compensation 
Committee.

Mr. Ríos (1945) is a U.S. citizen and currently 
the Chairman and CEO of Celistics 
Holdings, a leading provider of distribution 
and intelligent logistics solutions for the 
consumer technology industry in Latin 
America. Prior to joining Celistics in 2012, 
he was the International President of 
Global Crossing, the telecommunications 
company later acquired by Level 3 
Communications.

Between 1999 and 2001, Mr. Ríos served as 
member of the Global Management 
Committee of Telefónica and President and 
CEO of Telefónica Media, and prior to 
joining Telefónica he served as Vice 
President of Hughes Electronics 
Corporation, was the founding President 
and CEO of Galaxy Latin America (DirecTV 
Latin America), and served as Chief 
Operating Officer and Corporate Vice 
President at the Cisneros Group of 
Companies for 14 years.

Mr. Ríos brings to the Millicom Board his 
significant experience in leading a variety 
of consumer technology businesses in Latin 
America including the telecommunications 
and electronics industries.

INDEPENDENT from the Company, its 
Executive Management, and its major 
shareholders.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: 1,623 shares.

Ms. Pernille Erenbjerg was elected as a new 
member of the Board of Millicom in 
January 2019. She is the Deputy Chairman 
and a member of the Audit Committee. 

Pernille Erenbjerg (1967) is a Danish citizen 
and formerly (until December 2018) the 
President and Group Chief Executive Officer 
of TDC, the leading provider of integrated 
communications and entertainment 
solutions in Denmark and Norway. Before 
being appointed President and Group Chief 
Executive Officer, Pernille served as TDC’s 
Chief Financial Officer and as Executive 
Vice President of Corporate Finance. 
Pernille currently serves on the Boards of 
Nordea, the largest financial services group 
in the Nordic region, and Genmab, the 
Danish international biotechnology 
company. Pernille holds an MSc in Business 
Economics and Auditing from Copenhagen 
Business School.

Ms. Erenbjerg brings years of experience 
from operating a converged provider of 
communication and entertainment services, 
as well as from driving transformational 
processes in complex organizations, both 
organically and through M&A.

INDEPENDENT from the Company, its 
Executive Management, and its major 
shareholders.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: Ms. Erenbjerg does not 
hold any Millicom shares.

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2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

Mr. Odilon Almeida was re-elected to the 
Board in May 2018. He is a member of the 
Compliance and Business Conduct Committee.

Mr. Almeida (1961) is the President for Western 
Union Global Money Transfer. He leads 
Western Union’s global consumer omni-
channel business across more than 200 
countries and territories. With a 15-year tenure 
at Western Union, he most recently (2016) was 
the President of the Americas and European 
Union. His global business leadership and 
board experience at Western Union, Millicom, 
BankBoston (now Bank of America), The 
Coca-Cola Company and Colgate-Palmolive, 
has given him deep knowledge of corporate 
governance, general management, 
technology platforms, regulatory and 
compliance as well as consumer insights of 
developed and emerging nations.

Mr. Almeida holds a Bachelor of Civil 
Engineering degree from the Maua 
Engineering School in São Paulo, Brazil, a 
Bachelor of Business Administration Degree 
from the University of São Paulo, and an 
MBA with specialization in Marketing from 
the Getulio Vargas Foundation, São Paulo. 
He advanced his education at IMD 
Lausanne, The Wharton School, and 
Harvard Business School.

Mr. Almeida strengthens the Millicom  
Board with decades of experience from  
the financial services and Fintech sectors, 
and a leadership style anchored in growth 
acceleration and business turnarounds 
involving retail and digital transformation, 
organic growth and successful M&A.

INDEPENDENT from the Company, its 
Executive Management, and its major 
shareholders.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: 3,176 shares.

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancials 
Board Profile: Skills and Experience–continued

Ms. Janet Davidson 
(American)
Non-Executive Director

Mr. Tomas Eliasson 
(Swedish)
Non-Executive Director

Mr. Lars-Åke Norling 
(Swedish)
Non-Executive Director

(FIRST APPOINTED: MAY 2016)

(FIRST APPOINTED: MAY 2014)

(FIRST APPOINTED: MAY 2018)

Ms. Janet Davidson was re-elected to the 
Board in May 2018. She is the Chairman of 
the Compliance and Business Conduct 
Committee.

Ms. Davidson (1956) is a Supervisory Board 
member of STMicroelectronics. She held 
various managerial positions in Alcatel 
Lucent (1979 - 2011) including the role as 
Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Compliance 
Officer, and Executive Vice President, 
Quality & Customer Care.

She has been a Member of the Supervisory 
Board of STMicroelectronics since June, 
2013 and serves on its Audit Committee 
and Strategy Committee. She has also been 
recognized by Working Woman Foundation 
with one of its first Women Enabling Science 
and Technology awards in 2001. In 1999, she 
was inducted into the Academy of Women 
Achievers of the YWCA of the City of New 
York, which honors women of high 
achievement. 

She brings to Millicom’s Board her long 
experience in the telecommunications and 
IT sectors.Ms. Davidson received a Bachelor 
of Science degree in physics from Lehigh 
University, a Master of Science degree in 
Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech, 
and a Master of Science in Computer 
Science through Bell Laboratories.

INDEPENDENT from the Company, its 
Executive Management, and its major 
shareholders.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: 2,518 shares.

Mr. Tomas Eliasson was re-elected to the 
Board in May 2018. He is the Chairman 
of the Audit Committee.

Mr. Eliasson (1962) is Executive Vice 
President, Chief Financial Officer of 
Sandvik.

Previously Mr. Eliasson was the Chief 
Financial Officer and Senior Vice-
President of Electrolux, the Swedish 
appliances manufacturer.

Mr. Eliasson has also held various 
management positions in Sweden and 
abroad, including ABB Group, Seco Tools 
AB and Assa Abloy AB.

Mr. Eliasson holds a Bachelor of Science 
Degree in Business Administration and 
Economics from the University of 
Uppsala.

Mr. Eliasson brings to the Millicom Board 
his significant experience as a CFO for 
multinational and global Swedish 
companies, roles including governance 
and oversight over financial reporting, 
internal control and risk management 
processes and procedures within global 
finance functions.

INDEPENDENT from the Company, its 
Executive Management, and its major 
shareholders.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: 3,763 shares.

Mr. Lars-Åke Norling was elected to the 
Board in May 2018 and commenced in the 
role in September 2018. He is the Chairman 
of the Compensation Committee and a 
member of the Compliance and Business 
Conduct Committee.

Mr. Norling (1968) is an Investment 
Director and Sector Head of TMT at 
Kinnevik. Prior to that, he was the Chief 
Executive Officer of Total Access 
Communications (dtac) in Thailand where 
he executed a digital transformation and 
led a turnaround of the company’s financial 
performance. He has also been EVP of 
Developed Asia for Telenor as well as Chief 
Executive Officer of DigiTelecommunications 
Malaysia and of Telenor Sweden. 

Mr. Norling holds an MBA from Gothenburg 
School of Economics, an MSc in Engineering 
Physics from Uppsala University, and an 
MSc in Systems Engineering from Case 
Western Reserve University, USA.

He brings to Millicom’s Board his extensive 
experience in leading telecommunications 
and media businesses and digital 
transformation in emerging markets.

INDEPENDENT from the Company  
and its Executive Management, but  
NON-INDEPENDENT from the major 
shareholders due to his significant 
affiliation to Kinnevik AB.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: 507 shares.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancials 
Board Profile: Skills and Experience–continued

Mr. Roger Solé Rafols 
(Spanish)
Non-Executive Director

Mr. James Thompson 
(American)
Non-Executive Director

(FIRST APPOINTED: MAY 2017)

(FIRST APPOINTED: JANUARY 2019)

Mr. Roger Solé Rafols was re-elected to 
the Board in May 2018. 

Mr. Solé (1974) is the Chief Marketing 
Officer of Sprint Corporation, a leading 
American telecommunications company.

Prior to joining Sprint in 2015, he spent 
seven years at TIM Brasil (owned by 
Telecom Italia) as Chief Marketing Officer 
and previously as Marketing Director. 
Before TIM Brasil, he was the Marketing 
Director for Vivo in Brazil (owned by 
Telefonica and PT) and previously the 
Head of Innovation and VAS.

Mr. Solé holds a BA and MBA in Business 
Administration from ESADE Business & 
Law School in Barcelona.

Mr. Solé brings to the Millicom Board his 
in-depth knowledge of the 
telecommunications sector, marketing 
and convergence of traditional 
telecommunications products with 
innovative products and services.

INDEPENDENT from the Company, its 
Executive Management, and its major 
shareholders.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: 1,623 shares.

Mr. James Thompson was elected as a  
new member of the Board of Millicom  
in January 2019. He is a member of the  
Audit Committee and the Compensation 
Committee. 

James Thompson (1961) is a U.S. citizen 
and currently a Managing Principal at 
Kingfisher Family Office, where he manages 
a portfolio focused on value-oriented 
investment strategies. Previously, he was a 
Managing Principal at Southeastern Asset 
Management, where he was responsible for 
the operations of the firm and was a senior 
member of the investment team that was 
responsible for firm-wide investment 
decisions. Between 2001 and 2006, 
Mr. Thompson opened and managed 
Southeastern Asset Management’s London 
research office. He holds an MBA from 
Darden School at the University of Virginia, 
and a Bachelor’s degree in Business 
Administration from the University of North 
Carolina.

Mr. Thompson brings to the Millicom Board 
his extensive experience from investment 
management, and will contribute significantly 
to the Board’s discussions on Millicom’s 
long-term strategy and capital allocation.

INDEPENDENT from the Company, its 
Executive Management, and its major 
shareholders.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: 6,941 shares.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancials 
Board Program

The Board’s annual program includes:

1
Company strategy and 
strategic direction;

2
Operating and financial 
performance review;

3
Governance and 
compliance matters;

4
External affairs;

5
Corporate culture;

7
Risk management;

8
Dividend policy;

6
External financial 
reporting;

9
Acquisitions and 
divestments;

10
Evaluation of CEO and 
self-evaluation; and

11
Human Resource matters, 
including compensation, 
health, safety, and  
well-being.

Summary of Board Activities in 2018
The Board of Directors has an annual program which consists of specific areas 
of focus on which the Board has a role to oversee and advise the Company. 

Specific projects and topics arise in the normal course of business which are 
added to the program of the Board, certain of which are dealt with by specific 
Board committees.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsSummary of Areas of Focus in 2018

Activity/issues covered

Board actions

Reports of committees

•  The Board regularly reviewed reports from its Audit, Compliance and Business Conduct, 

Operational review

Strategic review

and Compensation Committees on recent activities.

•  Discussion of Nomination Committee Director appointment proposals.

•  Priorities and challenges for each of the Latin American and African businesses were 
regularly presented and discussed by the Board, including development of cable and 
mobile data businesses, efficiency measures, and capital expenditure allocation.

•  The Board discussed and approved the 2019 budget.

•  The Board dedicates at least one Board meeting every year to discuss strategy.
•  The Board discussed with the Executive Team industry and geographic trends and the 
operational and financial strategy for each region, including the portfolio strategy.

Organizational structure

•  The Board was involved in the process of review of performance of the Executive Team, 

Review and approval of capital 
structure and dividend

Review and approval of corporate 
governance

Mergers, acquisitions, disposals, and 
joint ventures

Review and approval of financial 
reports

Risk management

External affairs

and the management organizational and reporting structures.

•  Issuance of the US$500 million bond.
•  Additional financing in several markets.
•  Recommendation of a dividend of US$2.64 per share to the 2018 AGM.

•  Revisions to the Corporate Policy Manual (including Board and Committee charters).
•  Updates to the Authority matrix.
•  Election of Committee members.

•  The Board discussed acquisition and disposal developments across the Group, including 

approval of transactions such as the acquisition of Cable Onda in Panama.

•  2018 Annual Report including the 2018 Consolidated Financial Statements of the 

Group, and interim consolidated financial statements.

•  Standalone financial statements of Millicom International Cellular SA (the parent 

company).

•  Review of the key risks facing the Group and approach to managing risks.
•  Setting of risk appetite.

•  Review of the external affairs strategic framework, and implementation activities.
•  Periodical reviews of the political situation per market with a specific focus on election 

periods and advice on risk management required in relation thereto.

•  Review of regulatory and engagement challenges with advice from the Board on 

best-practice engagement strategy.

•  Review of the state of government relations in our markets and internationally.

Millicom’s non-financial performance

•  Review of main non-financial performance and trends, including corporate 

responsibility.

•  Recommendation for continued focus in line with existing non-financial focus areas.

Listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market in 
the U.S.

•  Review and approval to list Millicom’s shares on the the Nasdaq Stock Market in the 
U.S., and related filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsInduction and Training
Millicom provides Incoming Board 
members with information on their  
roles and responsibilities, operating 
procedures and information on 
Millicom’s business and industry. Access 
to governance documents, policies, and 
procedures, as well as meeting materials 
and Company information, is provided 
through a secure online tool, in meetings 
set with the Executive Management 
team, and in ongoing dissemination of 
information.

Training programs covering key topics 
such as anti-bribery and corruption, 
ethics, independence, and insider trading 
are provided. The Board regularly 
receives detailed reports on specific 

areas that support their understanding 
of Millicom’s business and operating 
environment.

Millicom Directors also participate in an 
annual visit to one of Millicom’s 
operations (Bolivia in 2018), to learn 
about the characteristics of the local 
market, conduct field trips to see aspects 
of the business in operation, and interact 
with local management.

Board Effectiveness
The Board conducts an annual 
performance review process, wherein 
each Board member’s personal 
performance is also reviewed. The review 
process involves an assessment of the 
Board’s and its committees’ actions and 

activities during the year against the 
Board’s mandate as determined in the 
Board Charter (and those of its various 
committees).

The evaluation of the Board’s 
performance during 2018 was 
conducted internally through a 
questionnaire, prepared with the 
assistance of an external advisor, to 
assess the Board’s performance against 
its key duties, the Board’s composition, 
and processes, as well as the 
performance of individual Board 
members. The results of the evaluation 
were presented to the Nomination 
Committee.

Board Meetings/Attendance at regularly scheduled meetings of the Board in the 2018 Financial Year

Director
Mr. Tom Boardman
Mr. Odilon Almeida
Ms. Janet Davidson
Mr. Tomas Eliasson
Mr. Anders Jensen
Mr. Lars-Åke Norling
Mr. José Antonio Rios Garcia
Mr. Roger Solé Rafols
Attendance
Former Directors (until May 2018):

Mr. Simon Duffy
Mr. Alejandro Santo Domingo
Overall attendance

Meeting
7/7
6/7
7/7
6/7
5/7
3/3
7/7
6/7
47/52

    2/2
2/2
51/56

Attendance %
100
86
100
86
71
100
100
86
90

100
100
91

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsBoard Committees
The Board and each of its Committees 
have written approved charters which 
set out the objectives, limits of authority, 
organization, and roles and 
responsibilities of the Board and its 
Committees. The charters can be found 
on our website www.millicom.com/
our-company/governance. Details of the 
roles and responsibilities, activities in 
2018, and Directors’ emoluments are set 
out on the following pages.

I. Audit Committee

2018 was a very active year for the Audit 
Committee, with specific attention paid 

to the preparedness of the Group for 
listing of the Company’s shares on the 
Nasdaq Stock Market in the U.S.. We 
provided oversight over implementation 
projects of new accounting standards, 
regular reporting, internal control, risk 
management, and internal audit 
activities. The Committee convened 
eight scheduled meetings during the 
year and covered internal audit, and 
internal control activities during all 
meetings.

The Committee also reviewed and 
discussed actions and activities around the 
important regulatory updates and 
upcoming changes in financial reporting, 

treasury, tax, risk management, revenue 
assurance, and compliance. Further work 
remains to be done as the Group continues 
to standardize and implement best 
practices both in controls and assurance.

I would like to thank my fellow 
Committee members for their dedication 
and commitment to the activities of the 
Audit Committee and look forward to 
continuing our mandate through to the 
2019 AGM.

Mr. Tomas Eliasson
Chairman of the Audit Committee

Audit Committee Membership and Attendance ar regualrory scheduled meetings in 2018

Audit Committee
Mr. Tomas Eliasson
Mr. Tom Boardman
Ms. Janet Davidson
Mr. Lars-Åke Norling
Mr. Simon Duffy
Overall attendance

Position
Chairman*
Member
Member
Member
Member (until May 4, 2018)

First appointment
May 2014
May 2016
July 2018
May 2018
May 2016

Meetings/Attendance %
100
100
75
67
75
89

8/8
8/8
3/4
2/3
3/4
24/27

*Designated as having specific accounting competence per EU Directive.

Appointment and Role of the Audit 
Committee
The Audit Committee is comprised solely 
of non-executive Directors, the majority 
of whom were independent Directors in 
2018 (in 2019 all are independent). 
Members are appointed to ensure there is 
a mixture of relevant experience of both 
finance and broader commercial matters. 
The Board is confident that the collective 
experience of the members enables them 
to act as an effective Audit Committee. 
The Committee is also satisfied that it has 
the expertise and resource available to it 
to fulfill its responsibilities.

The Board has delegated to the Audit 
Committee the responsibilities for 
oversight of the robustness, integrity,  
and effectiveness of financial reporting, 
risk management, internal controls, 
internal audit and the external audit 
process, pre-approval of certain audit 
and non-audit services provided by the 
external auditor, establishment of 
procedures pertaining to accounting-

related, and certain other types of 
complaints or concerns, as well as 
compliance with related laws and 
regulations.

The Audit Committee focuses particularly 
on compliance with financial requirements, 
accounting standards and judgments, 
appointment, oversight and independence 
of the external auditors and appointment 
and oversight of certain other accounting 
firms that may be retained from time to 
time, transactions with related parties 
(including major shareholders), the 
effectiveness of the Internal Audit 
function, the Group’s approach to risk 
management, and ensuring that an 
efficient and effective system of 
internal controls is in place.

Ultimate responsibility for reviewing and 
approving Millicom’s Annual Report and 
Accounts remains with the Board.

The Chief Executive Officer, Chief 
Financial Officer, Group Financial 
Controller, Head of Internal Audit, Head of 

Business Controls, Chief Risk Officer and 
representatives from Ernst & Young (“EY”), 
the Company’s external auditor, are 
invited to attend Committee meetings.

The agenda for meetings is prepared by 
the Audit Committee Chairman in 
conjunction with the Chief Financial 
Officer. Each meeting includes a private 
session, attended only by Audit Committee 
members and the external auditor, to 
provide an opportunity for open dialogue 
without management presence.

At each regularly scheduled meeting, the 
Audit Committee receives reports from 
the Chief Financial Officer, the external 
auditor, the Head of Internal Audit, the 
Head of Business Controls, and the Chief 
Risk Officer, together with reports from 
other officers of the Company as 
required. More particularly, the Audit 
Committee has received from the 
external auditor the required 
information in accordance with 
Luxembourg regulations.

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2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsSummary of Areas of Focus and Actions in 2018

Governance

Financial reporting

•  Reviewed and amended the Audit Committee Charter.

•  Reviewed key accounting and reporting issues at each meeting.
•  Reviewed and approved each quarter’s earnings release, the 2017 annual earnings release and 
summary financial statements, and the 2018 half year earnings release and interim financial 
statements.

•  Reviewed and discussed transition impact of IFRS 15 (“Revenue from Contracts with Customers”) 
and IFRS 9 (“Financial Instruments”) as well as activities around implementation of IFRS 16 
(“Leases”) and other changes in the financial reporting landscape and accounting policy changes/ 
updates.

External auditor

•  Received reports from the external auditor at each meeting covering important financial reporting, 

accounting and audit issues.

•  Received reports from the external auditor in compliance with EU regulations.
•  Reviewed and approved all non-audit services rendered by the external auditors.
•  Approved the 2018 external audit strategy and fees.
•  Considered the results of control testing performed by the external auditor.
•  Considered the performance of the external auditor and independence, including monitoring of 

the nature and value of non-audit services, as well as approving these fees.

•    Received reports on the preparedness of the Group for the U.S. listing.

Internal audit activities

•  Approved the 2018 and 2019 internal audit plan.
•  Reviewed internal audit findings arising from the delivery of the 2018 audit plan.

Financing, treasury and tax

•  Reviewed the Group’s tax strategy and structure and approved the tax policy.
•  Approved the updated Group treasury and related policies, including the policy on financial risk 

Risk management

Internal controls

management.

•  Provided guidance and oversight over risk management processes.
•  Reviewed alignment of top risks with strategy.
•  Reviewed regular risk reports and remediation plans.

•  Reviewed the remit and proposed activities of the Business Controls team.
•    Reviewed the Group’s Sarbanes-Oxley implementation plan related to the U.S. listing and received 

regular progress reports from the implementation team and external advisors.

•  Received the summary findings of internal control self-assessments performed in the year against 

the 2018 internal targets.

Fraud management

•  Reviewed fraud policies and quarterly fraud reports, as well as proposed actions to remediate 

identified cases.

Revenue assurance

•  Received quarterly updates on revenue assurance activities.
•  Reviewed trends and actions taken to minimize loss and revenue leakage.

Related party transactions

•  Reviewed related party transactions that were performed at each meeting.

Listing on the Nasdaq Stock 
Market in the U.S.

•  Oversight of re-listing Millicom’s shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market in the U.S., and related filings 

with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

•    Review internal and third party assessments to evaluate Group’s readiness to re-list on the Nasdaq 

Stock Market in the U.S..

2018 Meetings

•  The review of the effectiveness of 

•  The completeness and compliance of all 

structural disclosures made in the 
financial statements; and

•  The financial reporting implications of 

the U.S. listing.

A summary of all related party 
transactions was presented quarterly. 

During 2018, the Audit Committee had eight 
regular meetings, mainly coinciding with key 
dates in Millicom’s external reporting: 

Financial reporting

The Audit Committee reviewed earnings 
releases for each quarter and financial 
statements, having received reports from 
management and the external auditor. In 
2018, attention was mainly focused on:

•  Significant accounting issues where 

judgment has been applied;

internal financial control;

•  The transition impacts of the new 

revenue recognition standard, IFRS 15, 
and of IFRS 9 for financial instruments.

• 

 The review of the implementation 
project around the upcoming adoption 
of the new lease accounting standard, 
IFRS 16;

•  The appropriateness of and application 
of the Group’s accounting policies and 
practices;

•  Compliance with financial reporting 

standards and other financial reporting 
requirements;

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2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsThe significant issues considered by the 
Audit Committee in relation to the 
financial statements for the year ended 
December 31, 2018 were:

1)  Acquisition of Cable Onda–also refer 
to note A.1.2. of the consolidated 
financial statements

  On October 7, 2018, the Company 

entered into an agreement to acquire 
a controlling 80% stake in Cable Onda, 
the largest cable and fixed 
telecommunications  services provider 
in Panama. The selling shareholders 
retain a 20% equity stake in the 
company. The transaction completed 
on December 13, 2018 after receipt of 
regulatory approvals and consent from 
Cable Onda’s bondholders. Millicom 
concluded that it controls Cable Onda 
since completion date and therefore 
fully consolidates it in its financial 
statements with a 20% non-
controlling interest. The purchase 
accounting remains provisional as of 
December 31, 2018.

2)  Africa divestment–also refer to note 
A.1.3. of the consolidated financial 
statements

  During 2018, disposals of the 

operations in Senegal and Rwanda 
were completed, and our operations 
in those countries were 
deconsolidated.

3)  Tower sale and leaseback–also refer 
to notes C.3.4. of the consolidated 
financial statements

  During 2018 and 2017, Millicom 

entered into tower sale and leaseback 
transactions in Paraguay, Colombia 
and El Salvador whereby Millicom 
sells its passive infrastructure to tower 
companies and leases back a portion 
of the towers and ground, and 
receives related services. These 
transactions require management 
judgment in respect of the asset 
classification on the balance sheet 
and as to whether the leaseback 
qualifies as a finance or operating 
lease or as a service agreement.

  The above accounting treatments 

and decisions were discussed with the 
Committee.

4)  Impairment testing–also refer to 
note E.1.6. of the consolidated 
financial statements 

  Under accounting standards, the 

Group is required to test goodwill and 
indefinite life intangible assets 
annually and, where there are 
indicators of potential impairment, 
also test the carrying value of other 
non-current assets. Assessment of 

the recoverable amount, be it under 
the “value in use” or the “fair value 
less cost of disposal” model, is 
subjective and requires significant 
judgment. In addition, the Group also 
tests its investments in joint ventures 
and associates in case of an 
impairment indicator. The Audit 
Committee received analysis from 
Management as to their assessment 
of the recoverable amounts of the 
Group’s non-current assets, as well as 
the results of the sensitivity analysis. 
The Audit Committee also received 
analysis from the external auditor, 
including their view of significant 
assumptions such as discount rates.

Following consideration, the  
Audit Committee agreed with 
Management’s proposal that 
impairment losses had to be 
recognized on our operation in Zantel.

Except for the above, the results of 
the annual impairment testing 
showed that sufficient headroom 
exists for the Group’s other 
operations.

5)  Tax provisions and contingencies–
also refer to note G.3.2. of the 
consolidated financial statements

  The Group operates in many 

countries where the tax and legal 
system is less mature and may be less 
predictable. There are a number of 
matters therefore relating to tax 
contingencies which require 
judgment as to the likely probability 
of cash outflow or the potential 
amount of any outflow. The Audit 
Committee therefore received regular 
reports from the Group Tax Director 
as to the status of each of these 
matters, the likely outcome, the 
provision required, if any, and 
proposed disclosure in the financial 
statements. Analysis of judgmental 
tax matters was also presented by 
the external auditor.

6)  Revenue recognition–also refer to 

note B.1. of the consolidated financial 
statements 

Judgment is required in assessing the 
application of revenue recognition 
principles. This includes the 
application of revenue between 
multiple deliverables, such as the sale 
of a handsets with service in a 
bundled package, or managed 
services contracts that have complex 
contractual agreements. The Group 
has adopted the new revenue 
recognition standard, IFRS 15, using 
the modified retrospective approach. 
Hence, the cumulative effect of 
initially applying the Standard has 

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2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

been recognized as an adjustment to 
the opening balance of retained 
profits as at January 1, 2018 and 
comparative financial statements 
have not be restated in accordance 
with the transitional provisions in 
IFRS 15. The Group developed new 
accounting policies compliant with 
IFRS 15, tailored to the services and 
products sold.

7)  Capitalization and assets useful  
lives–also refer to notes E.1.1. and 
E.2.1. of the consolidated financial 
statements

  The assessment and timing of 
whether assets meet the 
capitalization criteria set out in the 
relevant accounting standards, the 
estimation of appropriate useful 
economic lives and the assessment of 
whether any impairment indicators 
are present, such as redundant 
assets, as well as the identification 
and the classification of leases, all 
require judgment. In addition, 
Management regularly review and 
benchmark its assets useful lives with 
peers. Once a year, Management 
presents its conclusions to the Audit 
Committee.

8)  Investigation by the International 
Commission Against Impunity in 
Guatemala (CICIG) and Tanzania 
share ownership issue–also refer to 
note G.3.1. of the consolidated 
financial statements

  On July 14, 2017, the CICIG disclosed 
an ongoing investigation into alleged 
illegal campaign financing that 
includes Comcel, our Guatemalan 
joint venture.

In June 2016, Millicom was served by a 
third party seeking monetary damages 
and seeking to exert rights as a 
shareholder of MIC Tanzania Public 
Limited Company. 

  On July 26, 2018, the Court of Appeal 
of Tanzania, the country’s highest 
court, reaffirmed in a ruling that MIC 
Tanzania Public Limited Company 
remains owned and controlled by 
Millicom. Late 2018, the opposing 
party has filed for a review of the 
ruling by the same Court of Appeals, 
which already ruled in our favor. 
Millicom considers the success of this 
review as remote and therefore 
continues to control and fully 
consolidate MIC Tanzania Public 
Limited Company.

  The Audit Committee has been 

updated at least quarterly on the 
progress of these cases.

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancials 
 
 
 
This feedback allows the Committee to 
monitor and assess the performance of 
the external auditor in making a 
recommendation to the Board regarding 
external auditor appointment.

Auditor independence

The Audit Committee has established 
policies to maintain the independence of 
the external auditor and to govern the 
provision of audit and non-audit services. 
During 2018, and as a result of the 
Company’s re-listing on Nasdaq, the 
approval process of non-audit services and 
audit related services has been reviewed 
to comply with SEC independence rules 
and the latest EU and local regulations. 
Under these rules, the Audit Committee 
has pre-approved a list of services that can 
be rendered by the audit firm. If services to 
be rendered are pre-approved in nature, 
these can be approved by management 
when requested (following an established 
authority matrix) and then presented to 
the Audit Committee on a quarterly basis 
for formal approval. If services to be 
rendered are not pre-approved in nature, 
these should be pre-approved by the 
Chairman of the Audit Committee when 
requested and then submitted to the next 
full audit committee for formal approval. A 
schedule of all non-audit engagements 
with the external auditor is reviewed at 
each meeting.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the 
Audit Committee approved fees for audit 
services of US$6.7 million, together with 
fees for non-audit work of US$0.9 million.

Under independence rules, the current 
audit partner will rotate off for the audit 
of the consolidated financial statements 
as of December 31, 2019.

Audit tendering

EY was first appointed auditor of the 
Company for the year ended December 31, 
2012 following a competitive tender. 
Based on the EU audit regulations and 
applicable Luxembourg law, EY would 
have to rotate off by 2032 (20 years) at 
the latest, with mandatory tender in 
2022 (after ten years).

Management Disclosure Committee

To assist with all matters relating to 
earnings releases and financial 
statement disclosures, the Group has a 
Disclosure Committee comprised of 
senior management from finance, legal, 
communications, investor relations and 
other functions as and when required. 
The Disclosure Committee identifies and 
considers disclosure matters in market 
releases which contain material financial 
and other price sensitive information.

Risk management

The Audit Committee received regular 
reports on the Group’s risk management 
framework and process, changes to 
significant risks at both operational and 
Group level and how these are 
managed. Further information is set out 
in the risk management section of this 
Annual Report.

In addition, the Audit Committee 
reviewed financial risk, tax risk and 
strategy, treasury policy and risks, and 
Group insurance cover.

Internal control

The Audit Committee reviewed the 
Company’s internal control framework. 
The Audit Committee remained focused 
on the need to promote the 
development of internal controls, both 
financial and non-financial.

In preparation for the U.S. listing, the 
Company commenced a program to 
comply with the internal control over 
financial reporting requirements of the 
U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Group 
Head of Business Controls together with 
the Group’s external advisors made 
progress reports on the Sarbanes-Oxley 
program.

Regular updates were provided on the 
Group’s program of Internal Control Self 
Assessment and the status of ongoing 
control improvement projects.

Internal Audit

The execution of the 2018 Internal Audit 
Plan provided Executive Management and 
the Audit Committee an independent 
view on the effectiveness of Millicom’s 
internal control environment and 
governance processes. It was developed 
to ensure alignment with the strategic 
risks of the Millicom Group, along with 
consideration of the overall Group 
strategy, input from senior management 
across multiple geographies and functions, 

external audit findings and Internal Audit’s 
knowledge of the business.

In December 2017, the Audit Committee 
ratified the Internal Audit Plan for 2018, 
which included reviews focusing on 
Mobile, Home and B2B revenue streams, 
information security, IT & network 
resilience, key financial processes, 
compliance and ethics activities and 
large business and technology change 
programs. Follow-up audits were also 
built into the Internal audit plan, to 
provide independent assurance that 
management actions from previous 
audits had been addressed 
effectively. The plan was primarily 
executed by the in-house Internal Audit 
team based in London, Luxembourg and 
Miami, with specialist support provided 
by one of the “Big 4” accounting firms. At 
each meeting, the Audit Committee 
received an update on Internal Audit 
activities, progress against the plan and 
results of the audits completed in the 
period, including associated 
recommendations and management 
action plans where findings had been 
identified.

Fraud risk and whistleblowing

The Audit Committee received and 
reviewed quarterly fraud reports in 
accordance with the Group’s Fraud policy. 
The Group provides an ethics helpline 
which is administered by an independent 
third party and is available to all 
employees, contractors and third parties.

External Audit effectiveness

The quality and effectiveness of the 
external audit is of great importance to 
the Audit Committee. A detailed audit 
plan is prepared and discussed with the 
Audit Committee at the start of each 
annual audit cycle, outlining the key risks 
and proposed geographic coverage.

Audit quality is assessed by reference to 
the standard of the reports received by 
the Audit Committee, the caliber of 
senior members of the audit team and 
the level of challenge provided to 
Management. Also, feedback is received 
by the Audit Committee from 
Management. In addition, on a regular 
basis the performance of the external 
auditors is reviewed by Management 
both centrally and in each of Millicom’s 
operating countries against a set of 17 
criteria ranging from knowledge of the 
business, to timeliness of communication 
and quality of reporting.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsII. Compliance and Business Conduct 
Committee
The Board of Millicom is committed to 
strengthening corporate governance 
and supporting the success that comes 
with a robust culture of compliance and 
strong internal controls. The Board 
believes that Millicom can lead the way 
in its dedication to ethics and 
compliance in all its markets. The Board 
oversees and regularly reviews Millicom’s 
Ethics & Compliance program to ensure 
it continuously focuses on three essential 
pillars. Company systems are reasonably 
designed and managed to prevent, 
detect, and respond to compliance 
misconduct and non-compliance with 
applicable laws.During 2018, Millicom 
continued building and enhancing the 
Ethics and Compliance program, 
supported by the Executive Committee 
and the Ethics and Compliance team. 

On behalf of the Board, I would like to 
reconfirm our commitment to strong 

corporate governance and supporting a 
strengthened control environment, a 
more concentrated approach to 
managing compliance risks across the 
organization and enhanced ability to 
comply with changes to the company’s 
regulatory expectations. 

The Board’s objective is to reinforce a 
culture of compliance that is practiced 
wholeheartedly by every employee, 
across all ranks, with no exceptions. The 
Board will continue to exercise 
independent review over proposed 
corporate actions as we receive the 
outcomes of investigations of 
misconduct and non-compliance.

The Board reinforced the need to build a 
culture of recognition for the right 
actions and an appropriate balance with 
disciplinary steps to address instances of 
misconduct and non-compliance. To 
assist Millicom’s employees and all 
external parties with whom the 
Company interacts, Millicom educates 

employees and third parties on 
standards of business conduct by 
operationalizing compliance as part of 
everyday business decision-making, and 
reinforcing the importance of doing 
business the right way, under the living 
theme “I Am Compliance”. 

I want to thank the members of the 
Compliance and Business Conduct 
Committee, the Company’s 
management team and Millicom’s Board 
and Chairman for their unwavering 
commitment and dedication to the 
Ethics and Compliance program in 2018 
and for the great progress we made this 
year. We will continue on this important 
journey in 2019.

Mr. Odilon Almeida
Chairman of the Compliance
and Business Conduct Committee

Compliance and Business Conduct Committee Membership and Attendance 2018

Committee

Position

Mr. Odilon Almeida
Mr. Lars-Åke Norling
Ms. Janet Davidson
Mr. Tom Boardman
Mr. Alejandro Santo Domingo
Overall attendance

Chairman
Member
Member
Member (until January 7, 2019)
Member (until May 4, 2018)

First
appointment

November 2015
May 2018
May 2016
May 2016
November 2015

Meetings/Attendance %

6/6
2/2
6/6
6/6
1/3
21/23

100
100
100
100
33
100

Appointment and Role of the 
Compliance and Business Conduct 
Committee
Millicom’s Compliance and Business 
Conduct Committee oversees and makes 
recommendations to the Board regarding 
the Group’s compliance programs and 
standards of business conduct. More 
specifically, the Compliance and Business 
Conduct Committee:

•  monitors the Group’s Compliance 
program, including the activities 
performed by the Compliance Team 
and its interaction with the rest of the 
organization;

•  monitors the investigations resulting 
from cases brought through the 
Group’s ethics line or otherwise;

•  oversees allocation of resources and 
personnel to the Compliance area;

•  assesses the Group’s performance in 

the Compliance area; and

•  ensures that the Group maintains 

proper standards of business conduct.

Management representatives invited to 
attend the Compliance and Business 
Conduct Committee include the Group 
CEO, the Chief Compliance and Ethics 
Officer, General Counsel, Group CFO, the 
Chief External Affiars Officer, and Head 
of Internal Audit.

Summary of Committee Activities  
in 2018
The Committee convened, as planned, 
six times during the year. The Committee 
Chairman prepares the agenda in 
conjunction with the Chief Ethics and 
Compliance Officer and reports are 
provided on the status of the Ethics & 
Compliance Program and any 
compliance related issues including 
investigations resulting from cases 
brought through the Company’s ethics 
line or otherwise, anti-money laundering, 
and information security issues. The CEO 
and Executive Team have been 
demonstrably committed and continue 
to be actively involved in fostering a 
culture of ethics and compliance from 
the top, across all our lines of business.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsSummary of Areas of Focus and Action Items in 2018

Program elements

•  Third party management - Through a centralized due diligence program
•  Anti-corruption Program - Compliance policies and procedures were reviewed and new 
ones developed to cover emerging areas of risk and to strengthen the company’s 
Anti-corruption program. 

•  All compliance policies and procedures, revised and new, were communicated to the 

whole organization.

•   Training on company compliance policies was provided to all employees with bonus 

award for select managers dependent on completion rates.

•  Independent Assurance - Reviews of the Company’s Compliance framework by group 

internal audit were conducted throughout the year and remediation actions were taken.
•  Communication campaigns were launched throughout the year on various compliance 

subjects.

•   Compliance Risk Assessment - Establish Pro-active Compliance risk management 

process. Regularly monitor, collect and analyze data to confirm results.

•  Resources: hired two new compliance officers.
•    All GMs were given a set of Compliance KPIs to meet during year to be eligible for 

year-end bonus award.

Reporting & Investigations

•  “SpeakUp” Campaign - Encouraged employees to use the system to report issues of 

Global Anti-money laundering (AML) 
program

Information Security program

non-compliance with our policies and values.

•  Strengthened investigation process by building an investigations team, developing 

investigations resources in the operations, and publishing a Global Investigations Policy.
•  Incentives programs - Compliance factors were incorporated into executives’ incentives 
program. Bonus awards are now dependent upon achievement of all compliance KPIs. 

•  Implemented a robust Know Your Customer (KYC) tool in certain countries with the plan 

to implement globally.

•  Enhanced current monitoring and implemented a new system in certain countries.
•  Training: provided AML training to several operations, including targeted groups such as 

upper management, MFS, and operation’s teams.

•  Deployed new review processes for dealers and agents in several operations in Latam 
and Africa that included adherence to local regulations, level of training, and AML 
program compliance.

•  Added additional resources for AML department’s functions in operations.
•  External assessments with remediation actions were developed for all Latam operations 

•  Developed a strategic 36-month plan to mature the corporate and local Information 
Security programs, as well as address any technology-control related Sarbanes-Oxley 
requirements.

•  Approval of requisitions for new hires for the Security program. 
•  Initiated deployment of the Global Security Operations Center (GSOC). An industry 
leading partner has been selected and the initial operational integrations have 
begun.

•  The development of the enterprise-wide Identity and Access Management (IAM) 
program has begun. All critical Sarbanes-Oxley requirements have been identified, 
including account management, segregation of duties, and management 
attestation. Strategic roadmaps have been developed and the process of vendor 
selection has begun.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsIII. Compensation Committee

In 2018, the Compensation Committee 
continued to focus on the review of 
Millicom’s reward strategy to ensure that 
senior management compensation 
reflects company performance closely.

We have designed our employee and 
executive compensation programs to 
support three goals:

1)  Attract and retain great talent;

2)  Support our culture of 

entrepreneurship and performance, 
with an increased focus on pay based 
on geographical / line of business 
accountability; and

3)  Align employee interests with 

shareholder interests.

We pay employees competitively 
compared to other opportunities they 
might have in the respective local 
market. We also offer competitive 
benefits to promote the health and 
happiness of our employees, and create 
a fun and invigorating work culture. We 
believe in pay for performance.

A portion of compensation is tied to 
performance for all top executives, 
including the senior teams at each of our 
operations. The proportion of overall pay 
tied to performance is higher for 
employees at more senior levels in the 
organization, reflecting their opportunity 
for higher impact on company 
performance. We use equity awards to 
align employee and shareholder 
interests. We require employees in our 

top 50 roles and other senior executives 
to maintain significant holdings of 
Millicom shares. This incentivizes our top 
leaders to take a longer-term view on 
positive business performance in 
alignment with company and 
shareholder interests.

I would like to thank my fellow 
Compensation Committee members for 
their dedication and commitment to the 
activities of the Compensation 
Committee and look forward to 
continuing our mandate through to the 
2019 AGM.

Mr. José Antonio Ríos García

Chairman of the Compensation 
Committee

Compensation Committee Membership and Attendance in 2018

Committee
Mr. José Antonio Rios Garcia
Mr. Tom Boardman
Mr. Anders Jensen
Overall attendance

Position
Chairman
Member
Member

First
appointment
May 2017
May 2016
May 2017

Meetings/attendance %
100
6/6
100
6/6
100
6/6
100
18/18

77
2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsAppointment and Role of the 
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee reviews 
and makes recommendations to the 
Board of Directors regarding the 
compensation of the CEO and the other 
senior managers as well as management 
succession planning.

The Board, based on guidelines by the 
Compensation Committee, proposes the 
remuneration of senior management. 
The objective of the guidelines is to 
ensure that Millicom can attract, motivate 

and retain executives, within the context 
of Millicom’s international talent pool, 
which primarily consists of telecom, 
media, and FMCG companies. 
Remuneration of the CEO requires Board 
approval. Guidelines for remuneration of 
senior management, and share-based 
incentive plans for employees are 
approved by the shareholders at the 
AGM.

The evaluation of the CEO is conducted  
by the Compensation Committee. The 
evaluation criteria and the results of the 
evaluation are then discussed by the 

Chairman with the entire Board. The Board 
considered that the CEO provided strong 
leadership for the Company during 2018. 
The results of the review and evaluation 
were communicated to the CEO by the 
Chairman. 

The Compensation Committee comprises 
three members.

Main Activities of the Committee 
during 2018
The Compensation Committee met six 
times in 2018.

Summary of Areas of Focus and Action Items in 2018 

Bonus and performance reports

•  Received and reviewed senior executive performance reports and Executive 

Committee individual payouts STI/LTI (cash /equity). 

•  Reviewed and approved the 2018 variable compensation target and performance 

results.

Compensation review

•  Reviewed and approved the peer group for executive benchmarking.
•  Approved all payments for Executive Committee members, including base pay 

Share-based incentive plans

increases.

•  Reviewed executive remuneration and governance trends and developments.
•  Reviewed executive benchmarking for the CEO and all Executive Committee 

members.

•  Approved changes to CEO and Executive Committee compensation elements based 

on market competitiveness.

•  Reviewed and approved the 2018 Share Plan Rules.
•  Approved the 2015  LTI (PSP) vesting.
•  Reviewed and approved all equity grants.
•  Reviewed the treasury shares’ balance reserved for share-based incentive plans and 

the period they cover.

•  Reviewed shared ownership guidelines and the compliance of each covered executive.
•  Reviewed performance and projections of outstanding LTI plans.

Global reward strategy and 
executive remuneration review

•  Reviewed Remuneration/C&B Philosophy & Strategy.

Variable pay design

•  Reviewed and approved the Variable Plans Redesign (STI/LTI) for 2019 including pay 

Other

our vehicle for JVs.

•  Discussed and approved STI/LTI redesign for 2019.
•  Reviewed and approved STI and LTI performance measures for 2019.

•  Reviewed and approved exceptional items, new hire equity grants, etc.
•  Reviewed LTI retirement eligibility clause.
•  Reviewed COC (Change of Control) / Reviewed GSMT severance plan payout.
•  Reviewed final MICSA budget for upcoming year.

Compensation Committee 
governance

•  Reviewed and updated Compensation Committee Remit and Obligations.
•  Review and approved the Compensation Committee annual meeting cycle and 

calendar.

•  Reviewed the Compensation Commitee charter.
•  Introduced an oversight dashboard.
•  Reviewed of composition of the Compensation Commitee.
•  Reviewed and approved an external compensation consultant.

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2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsRemuneration Guidelines
The Board proposes to the AGM 
guidelines for remuneration and other 
employment terms for the senior 
management. The annual base salary 
and other benefits of the CEO is 
proposed by the Compensation 
Committee and approved by the Board.

Remuneration Policy
Remuneration packages for members of 
the Executive Team at Millicom comprise 
an annual base salary, an annual bonus, 
share-based compensation, social 
security contributions, pension 
contributions, and other benefits. Bonus 
and share-based compensation plans 
(see note B.4.1 to the consolidated 
financial statements) are based on 
actual performance. Share-based 
compensation is granted once a year by 
the Compensation Committee.

Base salary - The Executives’ base 
salaries are competitive and based on 
each individual Executive’s 
responsibilities and performance.

Variable STI (Short-Term Incentive) 
cash remuneration - The Executives 
may receive variable remuneration in 
addition to base salary. The maximum 
target variable remuneration in any 
Executive’s contract is 100% of the base 
salary and, in case of exceptional 

business and personal performance, up 
to two times that target. The variable 
amounts or percentages are considered 
to be competitive within market 
standards at total compensation levels. 
The variable remuneration shall be 
based on the performance of the 
Executives in relation to established 
goals and targets along with Millicom’s 
financial performance (see table below).

Use and relative weighting of financial 
performance target measures under the 
variable compensation rules are equal to 
all employees regardless of seniority.

Variable STI share-based remuneration - 
Portion of the STI is paid in the form of 
deferred shares with a three-year 
pro-rated vesting, strengthening our pay 
for performance and retention 
incentives.

Long-term share-based incentive plans 
(LTIPs) - The aim of the LTIPs is to 
complement and support Millicom’s 
long-term business view and strategy. 
The plans and the amounts need to be 
competitive in order to attract and retain 
key executives. These incentives are 
targeted for a selected group of 
employees only, approximately the top 
50 roles and have a three-year cliff 
vesting.

Other benefits - Other benefits can 
include, for example, a car allowance, 
medical coverage, and in cases of 
ex-patriate assignments, housing 
allowance, school fees, home leave, and 
other travel expenses.

Pension - The Executives are eligible to 
participate in a global pension plan, in 
accordance with market standards. The 
global pension plan is secured through 
premiums paid to reputable insurance 
companies.

Deviations from the guidelines - In 
special circumstances, the Board may 
deviate from the above guidelines, such 
as additional variable remuneration in 
the case of exceptional performance. In 
these instances the Board of Directors 
will explain the reason for the deviation 
at the following AGM.

Payment for loss of office - If there is a 
company-initiated termination, other 
than for cause, of the Millicom 
Executives that are part of our Executive 
Committee (e.g. the CEO and his/her 
direct reports), a notice period of 6 - 12 
months potentially applies.

Bonus measurements
Personal performance

Service Revenue

EBITDA

Operating Free Cash Flow

Net Promoter Score

Total

Rationale
The individual goals and objectives of Millicom management and employees are 
critical in achieving its financial objectives and in long-term value creation.
Recurring revenue is a key growth measure used by the Group as it seeks to monetize 
opportunities in all countries and all business units.
EBITDA is used as a measurement of ongoing earning power/value creation in the 
Group and is used as a measure of how well management controls the operational 
cost of growing revenue.
Operating Free Cash Flow is a measure aligned to return on invested capital and is 
used to measure how efficiently management are generating cash flow.
The Net Promoter Score is an index that measures the willingness of customers to 
recommend a company’s products or services to others.

Weighting
30%

20%

20%

20%

10%

100%

79
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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsExecutive Team Remuneration

Compensation of the Executive Team 2018
Cash Compensation (US$ ‘000)*
Base salary
Bonus (for 2018 performance)
Pension
Other benefits**
Termination benefits
Total salary and benefits

Equity Compensation (number of shares)***
Performance share plan(i)
Deferred share plan(ii) (for 2018 performance)
Total shares (number)
Value of shares(iii) (US$ ’000)

CEO

CFO

Other  
Executives 
(9 members)

1,112
1,492
247
66
—
2,918

673
557
101
63
—
1,393

34,154
25,011
59,165
3,628

17,716
9,339
27,055
1,665

3,930
2,445
962
805
301
8,444

41,710
40,988
82,698
5,053

(i)  Amounts relating to the 2016 performance share plan based on the actual performance over the three-year period. The value of shares is based on the closing market 
value of Millicom shares in US$ on December 28, 2018 of US$62.53. These shares will vest on March 1, 2019. Final performance metrics subject to approval by the 
Remuneration Committee on March 5, 2019.
(ii)  Amounts relating to the 2019 deferred share plan (awarded in 2019 based on 2018 results). The value of shares is based on the average Q4 closing market value of 
Millicom shares of US$59.65. These shares will vest over three years from the award date with a vesting schedule 30%/30%/40%, dependent on continued service of the 
employee.
(iii) The value is calculated on the basis described above which differs from the value calculated for the IFRS financial statements.                                                                          
*Other Executives Cash Compensation includes Daniel Loria, former CHRO and Rodrigo Diehl, EVP Strategy. ** Other Benefits include relocation support when applicable 
with an average amount of US$25K. *** Other Executives Equity Compensation includes Rodrigo Diehl, EVP Strategy during 2018.

Compensation of the Executive Team 2017
Cash Compensation (US$ ‘000)*
Base salary
Bonus (for 2017 performance)
Pension
Other benefits
Termination benefits
Total salary and benefits

Equity Compensation (number of shares)*
Performance share plan(i)
Deferred share plan(ii) (for 2017 performance)
CEO Dividend Share Award
Total shares (number)
Value of shares(iii) (US$ ’000)

CEO

CFO

Other   
Executives  
(9 members)

1,000
707
150
64
—
1,921

11,865
10,688
1,179
23,732
1,588

648
455
97
15
—
1,215

6,230
6,877

13,107
877

3,822
1,590
629
1,193
—
7,233

10,044
24,040

34,084
2,280

(i) Amounts relating to the 2015 performance share plan based on the actual performance over the three-year period. The value of shares is based on the closing market 
value of Millicom shares in US$ on December 29, 2017 of US$66.91. These shares will vest on March 1, 2017. Final performance metrics will be approved by the 
Remuneration Committee on March 5, 2018.
(ii) Amounts relating to the 2017 deferred share plan (awarded in 2018). The value of shares is based on the closing market value of Millicom shares in US$ on December 
29, 2017 of US$66.91. These shares will vest over three years from the award date, dependent on continued service of the employee.
(iii)  The value is calculated on the basis described above which differs from the value calculated for the IFRS financial statements.
*Other Executives compensation includes Daniel Loria, former CHRO.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsShare-based Incentive Plans
The share-based incentive plans currently 
consist of a Deferred Share Plan (DSP) and a 
Performance Share Plan (PSP). 

The 2019 DSP (2018 results) corresponds to 
the portion of the STI paid with the DSP that 
will be granted in Q1 2019 based on 2018 
performance. The 2018 PSP (LTIP) 
corresponds to the grant of PSP made in Q1 
2018, that covers performance of 2018 – 2020 
and vests in Q1 2021. Shares granted under 
the 2019 DSP are based on personal and 

corporate performance of the previous year 
and the awards vest over three years, 30% 
after one year, 30% after two years and 
40% after three years. Shares granted under 
the 2018 PSP vest at the end of a three-year 
period, whereby vesting is subject to certain 
company performance conditions. The CEO 
and CFO are participating in the Group’s 
2018 PSP, with target opportunities as per the 
table below. For the 2018 year, equity-based 
incentive plans were offered to Executives, 
other senior management, as well as to 

high-potential employees and employees in 
key roles (by nomination exception) under 
the plans set out in the following table. In 
addition, the rules of the plans set out certain 
criteria and conditions in which new 
employees can be awarded sign-on awards.
In countries where Millicom has a local 
partner, in certain cases, the same eligibility 
and rules apply for the incentive plans, except 
that instead of being granted awards 
denominated in Millicom shares, the 
executives receive deferred cash awards.

LTIP
2019 Deferred Share Plan 
(DSP)

2018 Performance Share 
Plan (PSP) 

Eligibility
CEO, CFO, other 
Executives and other 
(global) senior 
management*
CEO, CFO, other 
Executives and other 
(global) senior 
management

Participants
231

Maximum shares  
awarded
for 2018
297,856

Basis for
calculating award
20–50% on base 
salary

Comment

48

237,196

400% 
175% 
35%–160% 
on base salary, as 
per 01.01.18

CEO 
CFO 
Global senior 
management 
team

*A limited number of high-potential employees and employees in key roles can be nominated by exception.

Specific rules of each plan are set out below. Vesting under all plans is conditional on the participant remaining employed by the 
Group at each vesting date. Additional vesting criteria are noted under each plan.

LTIP
2019 Deferred Share Plan (DSP)
2018 Performance Share Plan (PSP) 

Additional vesting criteria 
(terms and conditions)
—
Achievement of Service Revenue CAGR, Operating Free 
Cash Flow CAGR and Relative Total Shareholder Return 
targets measured over the three-year vesting period.

Vesting period

1 year
30.0%
—

2 years
30.0%

3 years
40%
— 100%

Measurements used for PSP performance measure
Operating Free Cash Flow (OFCF) with a specific 3-year CAGR target
Service Revenue with a specific 3-year CAGR target
Relative Total Shareholder Return (RTSR) vis-vis a peer group of companies  
(no award is made for performance below peer group median. Achieving TSR performance  
at media of pre-determined peer triggers 25% of the relative TSR component)

Weighting
50%
25%
25%

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsCEO Compensation
The 2018 components of the CEO remuneration package were:

•  an annual base salary of US$1.15 million;

•  variable cash remuneration with a target of 100% of base salary;

•  participation in Millicom’s share-based compensation plans and;

•  other standard benefits, as described under the senior  

management remuneration principles earlier in this report.

CEO Earnings Opportunity from 2018 Award Levels
The tables below provide estimates of the potential future  
remuneration for the CEO based on the  
remuneration opportunity granted in the 2018 financial year.  
Potential outcomes are based on different performance scenarios.

Assumptions underlying each scenario are described below. 

Fixed

•  Fixed income consists of base salary, employment benefits and company 

pension contributions.

•  Base salary is at December 31, 2018.
•  Benefits and Pension are valued using the figures in the total 
remuneration for the 2018 financial year table detailed below.

•  Pension contributions are made at 15% of base salary as at December 

of the preceding year.

Base 
(US$ ’000)
1,150

Benefits 
(US$ ’000)
66

Pension 
(US$ ’000)
247

Total Fixed 
(US$ ’000)
1,463

Mauricio Ramos

Variables on target

•  Values are based on what the CEO would receive if performance was in 

line with Incentive Performance Targets.

•  The target STI award opportunity is 200% of base salary, of which half 
is paid in cash, and the remaining half is paid via the Deferred Share 
Plan (DSP)

•  The target award opportunity for the LTI, the Performance Share Plan 
(PSP), is 400% of base salary for the CEO, assuming relative total 
shareholder return (RTSR) performance being at peer group median and 
the CAGR for both Service Revenue and Operating Free Cash Flow 
(OFCF) to be at target.

Variables at maximum

•  The maximum STI award opportunity is 400% of base salary, of which 
half is paid in cash and the remaining half is paid via the Deferred 
Share Plan (DSP)

•  The maximum award for performance under the PSP is 800% of base 
salary, where relative total shareholder return outperforms the peer 
group median by 20% and the CAGR for both Service Revenue and 
OFCF to be at 120% of target.

At target 
US$000

$2,562
Cash 
Benefits  $      51
Shares  $5,750

TOTAL  $8,363

30%

69%

1%

17%

Fixed 
$1,463
Variable  $6,900

TOTAL  $8,363

83%

At maximum 
US$000

24%

0.3%

Cash 
$  3,712
Benefits $        51
Shares  $11,500

TOTAL  $15,263

75%

Fixed  $  1,463
Variable $13,800

TOTAL $15,263

10%

90%

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsDetails of Share Purchase and Sale 
Activity 
During 2018, Millicom’s CEO, Mauricio 
Ramos, acquired 15,400 Millicom shares.

Shareholding Requirements
Millicom’s share ownership policy sets 
out the Compensation Committee’s 
requirements on Global Senior Managers 
to retain and hold a personal holding of

common shares in the Company in order 
to align their interests with those of our 
shareholders. All Share Plan participants 
in the Global Senior Management Team 
(including all Executives) are required  
to own Millicom shares to a value of  
a percentage of their respective base 
salary as of January of the calendar 
year. 

2018

%
Global Senior Management Level
400
CEO
200
CFO
100
EVPs
General managers and VPs
50
Unless this requirement is met each year, 
no vested Millicom shares can be sold by 
the individual.

Share ownership and unvested share awards granted from company equity 
plans
(number of shares)
December 31, 2018
Share ownership (vested from equity plans and otherwise acquired)
Share awards not vested
December 31, 2017
Share ownership (vested from equity plans and otherwise acquired)
Share awards not vested

2018 Remuneration for the Chairman, 
Deputy Chairman and Non-Executive 
Directors
Decisions on annual remuneration of 
Directors (“tantièmes”) are reserved by 
the Articles of Association to the general 
meeting of shareholders. Directors are 
therefore prevented from voting on their 
own compensation. The Nomination 

Committee reviews and recommends 
the Directors’ fees, which are approved 
by the shareholders at the AGM or EGM. 
Fees are set based on the role 
(Chairman, Deputy Chairman), and for 
participation in and roles of Chairman of 
the Audit Committee, the Compliance 
and Business Conduct Committee, and 
Compensation Committee.

Other

CEO

Executives

Total

122,310
172,485

80,159
148,324

84,782
339,726

207,092
512,211

55,888
299,067

136,047
447,391

The remuneration of Directors comprises 
an annual fee and shares denominated 
in Swedish Krona (SEK) or U.S. Dollars 
(USD). Director remuneration for the 
period is as follows:

Board and committees
Directors
Mr. Tom Boardman (Chairman)
Mr. José Antonio Rios Garcia
Mr. Odilon Almeida
Ms. Janet Davidson
Mr. Lars-Åke Norling
Mr. Tomas Eliasson
Mr. Anders Jensen
Mr. Roger Solé Rafols
Former Directors (until May 2018):
Mr. Simon Duffy
Mr. Alejandro Santo Domingo
Total in SEK 000’s
Total (US$ ’000)(i)

Remuneration  
2018  
SEK 000’s

Remuneration  
2017  
SEK 000’s

1,470 (ii)
1,075
1,050
1,050

772(iii)

1,250
650 (ii)
850

2,150
1,075
1,050
—
—
1,250
950
850

—
—
SEK 8,201
US$943

1,050
950
SEK 10,275
US$1,122

(i)   Cash compensation converted from SEK to USD at exchange rates on payments dates each year. Share based compensation based on the market value of Millicom 

shares on the 2018 AGM date (in total 6,591 shares). Net remuneration comprised 51% in shares and 49% in cash (2017: 52% in shares and 48% in cash).

(ii) From the period from the 2018 AGM to the date of the EGM in January 2019.
(iii) From the period from September 1, 2018 to the 2019 AGM on May 2, 2019.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsMillicom CEO and Executive Team

CEO
Mr. Mauricio Ramos

Position
CEO

Mr. Mauricio Ramos
Chief Executive Officer

Role and responsibilities
•  Leading the development and execution of the Company’s strategy.
•  Day-to-day activities and management decisions, both operating and financial.
•  Liaison between the Board and Management of the Company.
•  Leading the Executive Team.

Mauricio Ramos, born in 1968, joined Millicom in April 2015 as Chief Executive Officer 
(CEO). Before joining Millicom, he was President of Liberty Global’s Latin American 
division, a position he held from 2006 until February 2015.

During his career at Liberty Global, Mauricio held several leadership roles, including 
positions as Chairman and CEO of VTR in Chile, Chief Financial Officer of Liberty’s Latin 
American division and President of Liberty Puerto Rico.

Mauricio is also a Member of the Board of Directors of Charter Communications (U.S.).

He is a dual Colombian and U.S. citizen who received a degree in Economics, a degree in 
Law, and a postgraduate degree in Financial Law from Universidad de Los Andes in 
Bogota.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: 122,310 shares

Millicom’s Executive Team supports the CEO in the day-to-day operation and management of the Group, within their specific areas 
of expertise. Millicom’s Executive Team meets on at least a monthly basis and more frequently when required. Millicom’s Executive 
Team is as follows: 

Executive Team

Role

Responsibilities

Mr. Tim Pennington

Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Esteban Iriarte

Chief Operating Officer–Latam

Mr. Mohamed Dabbour

Head of Africa Division

Finance and financial planning. Reporting financial 
performance, including external financial reporting. 
Budgeting and forecasting, monitoring expenditures 
and costs. Implementation and enhancement of 
related controls. Risk management.

Operations and development of the Latin American 
businesses.

Operations and development of the African 
businesses.

Mr. Xavier Rocoplan

Chief Technology and Information Officer Networks, information technology and procurement 

Ms. Rachel Samrén

Chief External Affairs Officer

Mr. Salvador Escalón

General Counsel

Ms. Susy Bobenrieth

Chief Human Resources Officer

Mr. HL Rogers

Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer

within the Group.

Government relations, regulatory affairs, corporate 
communications, and corporate responsibility. 

Legal and corporate governance matters including 
oversight, identification, and management of legal 
cases and issues of the Group, as well as legal aspects 
of mergers and acquisitions and other corporate 
transactions. 

Human Resource matters including talent acquisition 
and management, compensation, diversity, and 
inclusion. 

Compliance matters including ethics, anti-bribery, 
anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and related 
compliance programs. Also, corporate security and 
information security.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsThe profiles of the CFO and Executive Team members are provided below:

Mr. Tim Pennington
Executive Vice President,  
Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Esteban Iriarte
Executive Vice President,  
Chief Operating Officer, Latin America

Mr. Mohamed Dabbour
Executive Vice President,  
Head of Africa Division

Mohamed Dabbour joined Millicom in 
2008 and has held a broad variety of roles 
in the Africa region including Chief 
Financial Officer in Chad in 2009 and Chief 
Financial Officer in Ghana in 2011. Prior to 
being appointed as Head of the Africa 
division, he held the position of Chief 
Financial Officer, Africa since August 2015.

Prior to joining Millicom, Mohamed worked 
for BESIX, the largest Belgian construction 
company. He started his career at 
PricewaterhouseCoopers in Brussels as a 
Senior Accountant.

Mohamed holds an Executive MBA degree 
from London Business School.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: 4,525 shares

Tim Pennington joined Millicom in June 
2014 as Senior Executive Vice President, 
Chief Financial Officer.

Esteban Iriarte was appointed as Executive 
Vice President, Chief Operating Officer 
(COO), Latin America in August 2016.

Previously, he was the Chief Financial 
Officer at Cable and Wireless 
Communications plc, Group Finance 
Director for Cable and Wireless plc and, 
prior to that, CFO of Hutchison 
Telecommunications International Ltd, 
based in Hong Kong. Tim was also Finance 
Director of Hutchison 3G (UK), Hutchison 
Whampoa’s British mobile business.

He also has corporate finance experience, 
firstly as a Director at Samuel Montagu & 
Co. Limited, and then as Managing Director 
of HSBC Investment Bank within its 
Corporate Finance and Advisory 
Department.

He is a British national and has a BA 
(Honours) degree in Economics and Social 
Studies from the University of Manchester.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: 15,933 shares

Previously, Esteban was General Manager 
of Millicom’s Colombian businesses where, 
in 2014, he led the merger and integration 
of Tigo and the fixed-line company UNE.

Prior to leading Tigo Colombia, Esteban 
was head of Millicom’s regional Home and 
B2B divisions.

From 2009 to 2011, he was CEO of Amnet, 
a leading service provider in Central 
America for broadband, cable TV, fixed line, 
and data services, acquired by Millicom in 
2008.

In 2016, Esteban joined the Board of 
Directors of Sura Asset Management. Sura 
is one of Latin America’s leading financial 
groups.

Esteban is from Argentina and received a 
degree in Business Administration from the 
Pontificia Universidad Catolica Argentina 
“Santa Maria de los Buenos Aires”, and an 
MBA from the Universidad Austral in 
Buenos Aires.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: 19,309 shares

85
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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsMr. Xavier Rocoplan
Executive Vice President, Chief Technology  
and Information Officer

Ms. Rachel Samrén
Executive Vice President,  
Chief External Affairs Officer

Mr. Salvador Escalón
Executive Vice President,  
General Counsel

Xavier Rocoplan started working with 
Millicom in 2000 and joined the Executive 
Committee as Chief Technology and 
Information Technology Officer in 
December 2012.

Xavier is currently heading all mobile and 
fixed network and IT activities across the 
Group as well as all Procurement & Supply 
Chain.

Xavier first joined Millicom in 2000 as CTO 
in Vietnam and subsequently for South 
East Asia. In 2004, he was appointed CEO 
of Millicom’s subsidiary in Pakistan (Paktel), 
a role he held until mid-2007. During this 
time, he launched Paktel’s GSM operation 
and led the process that concluded with the 
disposal of the business in 2007. Xavier was 
then appointed as head of Corporate 
Business Development, where he managed 
the disposal of various Millicom operations 
(e.g. Asia), the monetization of Millicom 
infrastructure assets (towers) as well as 
numerous spectrum acquisitions and 
license renewal processes in Africa and in 
Latin America.

Xavier is a French national and holds 
Masters degrees in engineering from Ecole 
Nationale Supérieure des 
Télécommunications de Paris and in 
economics from Université Paris IX 
Dauphine.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: 26,935 shares

Rachel Samrén joined Millicom in July 2014 
and manages the Group’s External Affairs 
function, which encompasses government 
relations, regulatory affairs, corporate 
communications, and corporate 
responsibility functions.

Her focus is on driving Millicom’s global 
engagement with particular responsibility 
for special situation strategies.

Rachel’s background is in the risk 
management consulting sector, most 
recently as Head of Business Intelligence at 
The Risk Advisory Group plc. Previously, she 
worked for Citigroup as well as non-
governmental and governmental 
organizations.

Rachel currently serves as Chairman of the 
Board of Directors of Reach for Change and 
Zantel.

She is a Swedish national and holds a BSc in 
International Relations from the London 
School of Economics and a MLitt in 
International Security Studies from the 
University of St Andrews.

MILLICOM SHAREHOLDING AT  
JANUARY 31, 2019: 2,627 shares

Salvador Escalón was appointed as 
Millicom’s General Counsel in March 2013 
and became Executive Vice President in 
July 2015.

Salvador leads Millicom’s legal team and 
advises the Board of Directors and senior 
management on legal and governance 
matters.

He joined Millicom as Associate General 
Counsel Latin America in April 2010. In this 
role, he successfully led legal negotiations 
for the merger of Millicom’s Colombian 
operations with UNE-EPM 
Telecomunicaciones S.A., as well as the 
acquisition of Cablevision Paraguay.

From January 2006 to March 2010, 
Salvador was Senior Counsel at Chevron 
Corporation, with responsibility for legal 
matters relating to Chevron’s downstream 
operations in Latin America.

Previously, he was in private practice at the 
law firms Skadden, Morgan Lewis, and 
Akerman Senterfitt.

Salvador is an American national and has a 
J.D. from Columbia Law School and a B.B.A. 
in Finance and International Business from 
Florida International University.

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2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsMs. Susy Bobenrieth
Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources 
Officer

Mr. HL Rogers
Executive Vice President, Chief Ethics and 
Compliance Officer

Susy Bobenrieth, a global Human Resource 
professional, joins Millicom with over 25 
years of experience in major multi-national 
companies that include Nike Inc., American 
President Lines, and IBM.

HL Rogers joined Millicom in August 2016 
as Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer. As 
the leader of Millicom’s Compliance 
function, he is committed to maintaining a 
world-class compliance program.

As an ex-Nike executive, she has extensive 
international knowledge and proven results 
in leading large-scale organizational 
transformations, driving talent 
management agenda, and leading teams. 
She is passionate about building great 
businesses and winning with high-
performing teams.

Susy was raised in the USA by her Chilean 
immigrant parents and is one of eight 
children.

She has deep international experience 
having lived and worked in Mexico, USA, 
Brazil, the Netherlands, and Spain. She 
received a degree from the University of 
Maryland, University College in 1989.

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JANUARY 31, 2019: no shares

Previously, he was partner in the 
Washington DC office of international law 
firm Sidney Austin LLP, where he 
represented individual, corporate, and 
government clients in compliance issues 
and complex litigation.

Throughout this period, HL Rogers 
developed a wealth of experience in setting 
up and managing compliance programs, 
strengthening compliance policies and 
procedures, as well as conducting training 
and development. He has also assisted 
many large corporations in negotiations 
with authorities in multiple jurisdictions.

HL clerked for Judge Thomas Griffith of the 
United States Court of Appeals for the 
District of Columbia Circuit in 2005. He 
received his Juris Doctorate from Harvard 
Law School in 2004 and has published 
several articles on compliance and ethics 
matters within the corporate setting.

In 2001, HL received his BA degree in 
English from Brigham Young University.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsInternational Financial Reporting 
Standards as adopted by the European 
Union. Due to its inherent limitations, 
internal controls over financial reporting 
may not prevent or detect 
misstatements.

Cable Onda was acquired on December 
13, 2018 and the first assessment of 
Internal Controls over Financial 
Reporting will take place in 2019. 

Management has assessed the 
effectiveness of internal control over 
financial reporting as of December 31, 
2018 and concluded that it was 
effective. The foregoing assessment 
does not constitute and is not meant to 
be an assessment of Millicom’s internal 
control over financial reporting for 
purposes of the U.S. Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, requirement 
which is not yet applicable to Millicom.

Risk Management
The risk function is tasked with 
identifying, analyzing, measuring, and 
monitoring of Millicom’s risks. The Chief 
Risk Officer is responsible for providing 
risk owners at central functional and 
country level with methodology and 
tools to support the approach to 
balancing risk with return, and reporting 
to the Executive Team. The Audit 
Committee, on behalf of the Board, is 
responsible for oversight of risk 
management activities.

Our risk assessment processes and the 
principal risks managed by the Group are 
set out in the Risk Management section 
of this annual report.

Ethics and Compliance
The Millicom Ethics and Compliance 
function has overall responsibility for the 
group-wide Millicom Ethics and 
Compliance program with robust 
anti-bribery and anti-corruption, 
anti-money laundering (AML) and 
Information Security programs.

Millicom aims to be a Compliance Leader 
in all its markets. Our Ethics & Compliance 
Program is intended to prevent and 
detect misconduct and protect the 
interests of shareholders, employees and 
the public, and is executed by an efficient 
compliance function focused on the most 
important risks.

Management Governance
The Group seeks to ensure that 
governance activities are embedded in 
the daily operations of all businesses and 
in the Group’s corporate functions. The 
role of the Group’s governance functions 
is to set policies and procedures in 
accordance with our obligations and 
international best practice. These 
functions then ensure policies and 
procedures are embedded in our 
businesses and monitor compliance.

Each function has clear reporting lines 
through to the Executive Management 
Team and the CEO. Reporting is also to 
the Board committees, as previously 
described, based on the responsibilities 
of each committee. For instance, the 
Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer 
reports directly to the relevant Board 
committee with a dotted line report to 
the CEO.

In addition, the Group has a dedicated 
Internal Audit function to provide 
independent assurance over all 
businesses and corporate functions 
through a program of risk-based internal 
audits. Internal Audit reports to the 
Audit Committee of the Board and to 
Executive Management. Improvements 
are identified, management actions are 
assigned and implementation progress is 
monitored.

Business Control
The Board has overall responsibility for 
the Group’s system of internal control, 
which is designed to manage, rather 
than eliminate, the risk of failure to 
achieve business objectives and can only 
provide reasonable, but not absolute, 
assurance against material 
misstatement or loss. The concept of 
reasonable assurance recognizes that 
the cost of control procedures should not 
exceed the expected benefits.

Responsibility for maintaining effective 
internal controls is delegated to the CEO 
and the Executive Team with oversight 
provided by the Audit Committee. 
Millicom continued to invest significantly 
during the year to further strengthen its 
internal control framework including 
preparatory work for the U.S. secondary 
listing. Within the Millicom control 
framework, operational and functional 
management teams perform controls. 
Key controls are documented in the 
Millicom internal control manual, which 

covers both financial and non-financial 
controls across 15 core business 
processes. The control manual was 
updated at the start of the year. Each 
country has its own dedicated, local 
Business Control team responsible for 
monitoring and development of the local 
internal control environment.

Monitoring Systems
A process of internal control self-
assessment is operated and requires 
self-certification of the operation of key 
controls. Self-certified responses are then 
subject to review and challenge by the 
Group Business Controls team and 
Global Process Owners. The results are 
also compared to findings from Internal 
and External Audit. Where controls are 
found not to be operating effectively, 
action plans are designed with 
responsibilities and timescales assigned 
for remediation.

Self-assessment results are reported to 
the Audit Committee and the Executive 
Team. The results enable an assessment 
of the relative maturity of our internal 
control environment by both business 
process and by country. In 2018, three 
self-assessment exercises were 
performed (2017:3).

Fraud Management and Reporting 
Business Control has responsibility for 
fraud risk management. Education 
activities continued, including an 
awareness campaign aligned with 
International Fraud Awareness Week, in 
November. 

A quarterly fraud report is prepared by 
each operation. A summary of this is 
presented to the Audit Committee along 
with the key actions taken. Quantitative 
and qualitative thresholds have been 
agreed to govern the reporting of 
individual fraud incidents to the Group 
CFO, CEO, and the Audit Committee.

Internal Control over Financial 
Reporting 
The Management of Millicom is 
responsible for establishing and 
maintaining adequate internal control 
over financial reporting. Internal control 
over financial reporting is a process 
designed to provide reasonable 
assurance regarding the reliability of 
financial reporting and the preparation 
of financial statements for external 
reporting purposes in conformity with 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsManagement and Governance of 
Compliance Activities
The Millicom Management team is 
committed to the highest level of ethics 
and compliance. This requires that every 
employee is responsible for understanding 
the important legal and ethical issues 
that affect our business. Our commitment 
to compliance begins with each and every 
one of our employees and our third parties 
acting with Integrity. This means more 
than just complying with the law; it means 
acting in an ethical manner as described 
in the company’s Code of Conduct. 

The performance of all our senior 
management is measured by 
Compliance KPIs, requiring continual 
improvement for compliance-related 
issues. In 2018, integrated compliance 
factors were incorporated into 
executives’ incentives program, including 
bonus awards tied to achievement of all 
these KPIs. We use performance ratings 
to drive concrete action and promote 
ethical business practices. It is our 
obligation to include appropriate 
incentives for taking reasonable steps to 
prevent or detect criminal conduct and 
appropriate disciplinary measures for 
failing to take such steps.

We continued reinforcing our Third 
Parties management space in 2018 
through a centralized and elevated due 
diligence program. The use of 
technology allowed for a stronger 
automation of third-party screening with 
a goal of improved compliance 
outcomes. We published a procedure on 
interactions with government and other 
public officials in order to strengthen and 
clarify risks and controls around third 
party management.

All Compliance policies were reviewed 
and new ones developed to cover 
emerging areas of risk (Government 
Interaction Policy) to strengthen the 
company’s Anti-corruption program. 
Specific training modules were rolled out 
to all employees on the new and 
reviewed policies. Automation of 
compliance Declaration and Attestation 
was launched. In 2018 we continue 
advancing a culture of compliance by 
accountability “Do Business the Right 
Way” with the living theme “I am 
Compliance” & raising the key question 
#Howdoyoucomply. Special attention 

was given to reinforcing everyone’s 
compliance duties and embracing the 
understanding of Compliance being in 
the Culture, not just a policy.

We launched group-wide e-learning on 
the Millicom Code of Conduct & 
Anti-Corruption policy. The purpose of 
the training was to heighten attention to 
key risk areas such as improper 
payments, gifts and hospitalities, 
donations, managing third parties, 
relationships with Government Officials, 
and approval and recording of expenses. 
This training was part of the Company’s 
Anti-Corruption Program, enhancing 
employees’ ability to identify warning 
signs of bribery, to understand and apply 
our anti-corruption policy, and to adhere 
to a solid decision-making strategy when 
making business decisions.

Speak Up Policy and Issue 
Management 
A new Hotline campaign, “Speak Up-We 
Will Act On It”, was launched groupwide 
to promote our Millicom Ethics Line, 
encouraging employees to use this 
external, independent system to report 
issues of non-compliance with our 
policies and values. This initiative was 
part of our larger communication 
campaign “Integrity Starts With You” 
that we have been using to continue to 
raise awareness of compliance and 
ethics and to drive a corporate culture of 
integrity.

Key Governance Initiatives
Millicom strengthened the Compliance 
function, adding two additional senior 
Compliance Officers for the Africa 
operations and a replacement in Latin 
America.

Internal Audit worked with the business 
units to develop action plans to address 
the findings from the compliance audit, 
and we implemented those plans. Third 
parties found to be in violation of our 
policies were terminated or remediated.

Millicom has strengthened its Ethics and 
Compliance program monitoring and 
data analysis. In 2018, we expanded 
quarterly Compliance monitoring on key 
business and Compliance risks. We 
performed regular analysis of risk, 
control maturity, and training 
effectiveness and cross referenced our 
efforts with results of audits and internal 

control self-assessments in quarterly 
Local Compliance Committees.

Corporate Responsibility
This is the third year that Millicom has 
integrated corporate responsibility-
related performance data and 
information in our annual financial and 
operational report to demonstrate how 
managing responsible growth and key 
risks support the successful delivery of 
our business strategy.

Millicom’s Corporate Responsibility  
team sets CR strategy, drives policies and 
processes for CR governance, guides and 
coordinates CR performance across 
business functions, and publishes 
CR-related performance information in 
the annual integrated report. Our 
integrated report will continue to be a 
key vehicle in promoting transparency 
towards investors and other key 
stakeholders on CR risks and 
opportunities.

The CR team constantly engages with 
internal and external stakeholders to 
ensure that Millicom understands and 
addresses CR issues that are important 
to our business and relevant to our 
stakeholders.

Stakeholder engagement is done 
through a biennial materiality analysis, 
and for the most part via ongoing 
interaction with our key stakeholders. In 
addition to anticipating and improving 
preparedness on risks, the CR function 
also adds value by seeking responsible 
leadership opportunities for the Group to 
assess where we can make the greatest 
positive impact to society, to the 
environment and, in turn, to our 
business.

Governance of CR
Millicom’s Board of Directors oversees 
the Government Relations (GR), 
Regulatory Affairs, Corporate 
Responsibility (CR), and Social 
Investment (SI) functions of the Group, 
which fall under the umbrella of External 
Affairs. This is due to the depth and 
materiality of these topics and the 
importance of monitoring 
interconnected risks and opportunities 
relating to them. The Executive Vice 
President (EVP), Chief External Affairs 
Officer, a direct report of the CEO, is 
accountable for delivering updates on 

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2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsHow CR is governed

Role

As part of the External Affairs 
function, CR oversees, advises  
and makes recommendations to  
Management regarding our  
strategy and activities in the  
areas of CR and social investment.

 Board of Directors

  Chief  
Executive  
Officer

Executive Management Team
sponsors for managing CR

   Chief Ethics and 
Compliance Officer

  EVP
   Chief External  
Affairs Officer

Direct reports 
to the CEO

   EVP 
Chief Technology 
and Information 
Officer

Senior
management

   Corporate 
Compliance

  Corporate
  Investigations  
  & Security

    Corporate 

Anti-Money 
Laundering

   Corporate 
Information 
Security

   Director Corporate 
Responsibility

   Responsible for: 
Corporate Responsibility, 
Environmental and 
Social Investment 
programs

   Vice President 
Supply Chain

   Responsible for: 
Responsible supply 
chain management

the CR and SI strategy to the Board. 
Progress on CR and SI strategy 
implementation and issues 
management is also reported to the 
Millicom Executive Committee on a 
monthly basis through the EVP, Chief 
External Affairs Officer, and in specific 
cases directly.

Security
Throughout 2017 - 2018 the Integrated 
Services team, evolved from Corporate 
Security in 2018, continued its ambitious 
drive to implement international risk 
management standards such as ISO 
14001, 22301, and OHSAS 18001 and 
can report that all operating entities 
except Nicaragua are accredited to the 
ISO standards. Nicaragua was put on 
hold until mid 2019 due to the significant 
civil and political unrest that spanned 
the country.

The focus of the Integrated Services 
team, which covers both health and 
safety, security, and other areas of 
non-financial risk, is to protect life, 
assets, and Millicom’s reputation while 
promoting employee well-being, and to 
build resilience throughout the business 
to unexpected events or crises. In 
addition, Integrated Services oversees 

the implementation of policy and Group 
standards in physical security, health, 
and safety by local operational teams. 
Our teams responded quickly and 
professionally to several major incidents 
and events during 2018, including 
volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, civil 
unrest, and several major fires. In each 
instance, we were able to prevent any 
employee fatalities and major losses to 
the Group.

The Integrated Services team is 
overseen by the Vice President of Global 
Investigations, reporting to the Executive 
Vice President, Chief Ethics & 
Compliance Officer.

Business Continuity and Crisis 
Management
We designed our global and operational 
business continuity and crisis 
management system to address any 
significant disruption that might affect 
our capabilities to perform critical day-to-
day activities. This continues to mature 
and has already responded to events, 
such as extreme weather, civil unrest, and 
criminal and political activities in the 
countries where we operate.

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2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

Risk assessment is a continuous process, 
It starts with a business impact analysis 
that identifies all critical services and 
business processes which will require a 
disaster recovery and business continuity 
plan. After performing a risk assessment 
on all critical assets identified in the 
analysis, we address every relevant 
operational threat in a formal risk 
mitigation plan.

Millicom crisis management defines the 
proper response to, and management of, 
an intense, unexpected, and unstable 
situation that disrupts normal operations 
and has highly undesirable outcomes, 
which require extraordinary measures to 
restore normal operations. Crisis 
management aims to protect the safety 
of our staff and our reputation, together 
with continuous and reliable delivery of 
service to customers, while maintaining 
contractual, legal, and regulatory 
compliance.

In parallel, Millicom has in place physical 
security and loss prevention standards 
which set minimum acceptable levels of 
critical site protection, as defined by 
industry best practice. All activities are 
subject to a program of monitoring and 
compliance activities.

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsOur focus on “zero fatalities” has had a 
profound impact on our culture and the 
way we strive to work in a safer manner, 
resulting in zero employee fatalities. 
Unfortunately, there were two contractor 
fatalities in 2018, down from ten in 2017.

The events resulted from a recent 
electrocution in which an engineer was 
struck when working underneath 
overhead power cables and an earlier 
reported road traffic accident (RTA), 
which occurred in November 2017 but 
forms part of our reporting period. RTA’s 
while still figuring as the #1 reported 
event, have reduced significantly along 
with falls from height, violent crime 
associated with criminal gang activity, 
making central America, somewhat safer 
place to operate. However, there was 
significant support required to assist 
staff in Nicaragua during and 
throughout the ongoing civil unrest.

In comparison to 2017, our current 
reporting figures indicate the number of 
events reported has remained stable, our 
fatality rate is down 80%, and the 
number of lost time incidents has 
significantly decreased. The increase in 
reported numbers during 2017 
compared to 2016 was expected and it 
was anticipated that during 2018 the 
figures would start to decrease as the 
safety culture becomes further 
embedded in the organization.

Supply Chain & Procurement has been 
instrumental in pushing the strict health, 
safety, and environmental requirements 
to ensure our due diligence process is 
completed. Additionally, our local staff 
and suppliers, have been bolstering 
training and awareness in auditing, 
health and safety vetting, and site 
inspections. There is a key focus now on 
the end user or sponsoring department 
to engage more with their outsourced or 
managed services areas to ensure they 
manage their activities sufficiently to 
maintain and improve the safety culture 
and awareness.

Information Security
In 2017, Millicom reorganized its 
information security effort to advance 
the global program. Reporting to the 
Executive Vice President, Chief Ethics & 
Compliance Officer, the program is 
managed by the Global Chief Information 
Security Officer (CISO), who assumes 
responsibility for the identification, 
management and mitigation of technology-
centric risks throughout the company. 

The CISO oversees the regional 
information security teams to ensure the 
confidentiality, integrity, and availability 
of all business-critical systems and 
assets. Other responsibilities include the 
identification of emerging threats and 
risks potentially detrimental to Millicom 
and the safeguarding of proprietary and 
personal customer information. 
Additionally, the regional teams work 
closely with business and technology 
leadership to ensure compliance to 
corporate policies and regional 
information security-related regulatory 
requirements within the various countries 
where Millicom conducts business.

The Global CISO meets regularly with 
the Compliance and Business Conduct 
Committee and Audit Committee to 
ensure appropriate risks have been 
elevated and are being addressed. As part 
of the move to centralize Information 
Security services, in 2018 the Information 
Security team began to reevaluate the 
existing technology risk management 
processes and consolidated all 
identification and mitigation efforts under 
the new global function.

The following key initiatives kicked off in 
2018:

•  Formalization of the Global 

Information Security Office: The 
Millicom Global Information Security 
Office (GISO) is charged with strategy, 
tactics, and oversight of all security 
efforts with the broader Millicom 
environment. The GISO is divided up 
into four critical pillars–Risk 
Management, Security Engineering, 
Vulnerability Management, and the 
Global Security Operations Center. 
Lead by the Millicom Global CISO, the 
GISO strategy, budget, and activities 
are overseen by the InfoSec Steering 
Committee, which is comprised of 
various Millicom executives, technical 
resources, and business personnel. The 

InfoSec Steering Committee meets 
monthly to discuss projects, 
approaches, and engagement across 
the company.

•  Development of a Global Security 
Operations Center: To better 
understand and manage risk across 
the entire enterprise, Millicom is 
moving forward with the consolidation 
and centralization of all local security 
operations management into a single, 
all-encompassing global security 
operations center. Millicom has 
partnered with an industry-leading 
service provider to provide 24x7 
monitoring and analysis of all global 
events which could impact the 
company. Vendor selection has been 
completed and the migration project 
has begun. Initial locations will be 
migrated in Q1 2019, with full 
deployment targeted for completion 
by the end of year.

•  Development of a Global Vulnerability 
Management program: Due to the 
differences in maturity levels around 
operational security, the Global 
program will identify, report, and track 
risks and vulnerabilities within all 
operations to provide a better insight 
into the technical security risks of the 
company. The initial phases of the 
program have been initiated and full 
roll out is expected to be completed by 
the end of Q3 2019.

•  Development of a Global Identity and 
Access Management program: In 
order to effectively manage user 
access, especially with respect to the 
U.S. regulatory requirements, Millicom 
has decided to centralize all business 
and critical access provisioning to a 
central solution. Phase One of this 
effort will address all regulatory 
requirements by the end of Q3 2019, 
with the remaining deployment 
schedule running through mid-2020.

Health and Safety Management
All operating entities including corporate 
are in compliance with the current 
internal OHSAS 18001 standard, and all 
were externally accredited. Our teams at 
Group and within the operating entities 
are now preparing for the transition to 
the new ISO 45001 standard which will 
commence in Q1 2019 with Chad, Tigo 
Tanzania, and Honduras.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsDirectors’ Financial and 
Operating Report
Group Performance

The Group returned to solid top line 
growth as the strategy continued 
yielding positive results.

In 2018, total revenue for the Group  
was US$4,074 million, and gross profit 
was US$2,928 million, a margin of  
71.9 percent.

Operating expenses represented 41.1% 
of revenue, a slight increase compared to 
last year, mainly due to acquisition costs 
for Cable Onda in Panama. Beside this 
effect, the Group has continued 
delivering on operational efficiencies 
which underpinned our margins and 
cash flows, delivering a lower operating 
cost run rate and lower capex.

Our operating profit amounted to 
US$645 million, a 16.8 percent margin 
impacted positively by the gain on tower 
deals in El Salvador, Colombia, and 
Paraguay as well as higher profit from the 
joint ventures in Guatemala and Honduras.

Net financial expenses were US$350 million,   
lower than for the same period last year 
mainly because 2017 figures included 
one-off costs in respect of early 
redemptions of the 2020 and 2021 Senior 
Notes outstanding bonds.

Profit before taxes at US$129 million 
included the effects of the increase in 
operating profit and decrease in interest 
expense described above, negatively 
affected by higher foreign exchange 
losses and higher losses from our joint 
venture in Ghana and associates.

The Group net tax charge in 2018 was 
US$116 million, leaving a net gain for the 
year from continuing operations at 
US$13 million. The loss of US$39 million 
from discontinued operations mainly 
reflected the loss on disposal of our 
business in Rwanda.

As a result, the net loss for the year was 
US$26 million. The share of losses of 
non-controlling interests was US$16 million. 

The net loss for the year attributable to 
Millicom owners was US$10 million. 
Earnings per share was US$0.10 cents.

Share Capital
At December 31, 2017, Millicom had 
101.7 million issued and paid up 
common shares of par value US$1.50 
each, of which 913 thousand were held 
by the Company as treasury shares (2017: 
1.2 million). During the year, the company 
acquired approximately 70,000 shares 
and issued around 343,000 shares to 

management and employees under  
the LTIP remuneration plans and 
approximately 6,600 shares to Directors 
as part of their annual remuneration.

Distribution to Shareholders and 
Proposed Distributions
On May 4, 2018, at the Annual General 
Meeting of shareholders, a dividend 
distribution of US$2.64 per share was 
approved, and subsequently paid to 
shareholders in equal portions in May 
and November.

This year’s proposed dividend is 
consistent with distributions in 2017  
and 2018.

Risks and Uncertainty Factors
The Group operates in an industry and in 
markets which are characterized by rapid 
change and subject to macro-economic, 
competitive and political uncertainty. 
This change creates both opportunities 
and at the same time a degree of risk. 
Many of the inherent underlying risks in 
these markets, including regulatory 
change (including tariff controls and 
taxation), currency fluctuations, and 
underlying macroeconomic conditions, 
impact on the level of disposable income 
and consumers’ attitudes and demand 
for our products and services.

Further information on these and other 
key risks faced by the Group are set out in 
the Risk Management section on pages 
22 - 25.

Financial Risk Management 
Objectives and Policies
Millicom’s financial risk management 
policies and objectives, together with a 
description of the various risks and 
hedging activities undertaken by the 
Group, are set out in Section D, financial 
risk management, of the consolidated 
financial statements.

Internal controls and risk management 
on the preparation of the consolidated 
financial statements are covered in the 
Governance section from pages 57 - 91.

Non-Financial Information
Non-financial information, such as 
environmental, social, human rights, and 
the fight against corruption, are 
integrated throughout this report, and  
in the Appendix.

Management and Employees
Over recent years, the Group has 
developed many key functions and 
improved support to local operations, 
including in the areas of procurement, 
network development, marketing, IT, HR, 
compliance, and finance. Since 2017, the 
Executive Management Team is 
complete.

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At December 31, 2018, the Group’s 
headcount from continuing operations 
reached approximately 21,000, up from 
almost 19,000 at December 31, 2017, 
the increase being mainly related to the 
acquisition of Cable Onda.

Outlook for the Group
We anticipate another solid year in 2019 
marked by the continued expansion of 
our high-speed data networks and 
customer growth. For our Latam 
segment, we expect organic service 
revenue growth to range between 3% 
and 5%, while EBITDA is expected to 
grow at a faster rate, ranging between 
4% and 6%, on a like-for-like basis. As 
usual, these organic growth rates are 
expressed in constant currency terms to 
exclude the impact of changes in foreign 
exchange and accounting standards. 
Finally, Latam segment capex should be 
slightly above US$1.0 billion, including 
about US$85 million at Cable Onda, 
which we expect will generate EBITDA of 
approximately US$184 million.

Subsequent Event
On February 20, 2019, the Group 
announced it has entered into 
agreements with Telefónica S.A. and 
certain of its affiliates (Telefónica), to 
acquire the entire share capital of 
Telefónica Móviles Panamá, S.A., 
Telefónica de Costa Rica TC, S.A. (and its 
wholly owned subsidiary, Telefónica 
Gestión de Infraestructura y Sistemas de 
Costa Rica, S.A.) and Telefonía Celular de 
Nicaragua, S.A. (together, Telefonica 
CAM) for a combined enterprise value of 
US$1,650 million (the Transaction) 
payable in cash. The Transaction is 
subject to customary closing conditions, 
including regulatory approval in each 
market, and closings are expected during 
H2 2019. Millicom has secured bridge 
funding commitments to finance the 
acquisition, and the bridge will be 
refinanced predominantly with the 
issuance of new debt by Millicom and its 
operating subsidiaries.

José Antonio Ríos García
Chairman of the Board of Directors

Luxembourg, February 28, 2019

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsManagement Responsibility Statement

We, Mauricio Ramos, Chief Executive 
Officer, and Tim Pennington, Chief 
Financial Officer, confirm, to the best of 
our knowledge, that these 2018 
consolidated financial statements which 
have been prepared in accordance with 
the International Financial Reporting 
Standards as adopted by the European 
Union, give a true and fair view of the 
assets, liabilities, financial position, and 
profit or loss of the Millicom Group and the 
undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole, and that the Directors’ 
report includes a fair review of the 
development and performance of the 
business and the position of the Millicom 
Group and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole, together 
with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that they face.

Luxembourg, February 28, 2019

Mauricio Ramos
Chief Executive Officer

Tim Pennington
Chief Financial Officer

93
2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceAppendixFinancialsOverview

Strategy

Performance

Governance

Financials

Appendix

Financial Statements 

94
2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixMillicom International Cellular S.A.

Consolidated statement of income
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Notes

2018

2017 (i)

2016 (i)

(US$ millions)

Revenue..............................................................................
Cost of sales .......................................................................
Gross profit.......................................................................
Operating expenses ............................................................
Depreciation.......................................................................
Amortization ......................................................................
Share of profit in joint ventures in Guatemala and

Honduras ........................................................................
Other operating income (expenses), net.............................
Operating profit ...............................................................
Interest and other financial expenses .................................
Interest and other financial income....................................
Other non-operating (expenses) income, net .....................
Profit (loss) from other joint ventures and associates,

net ...................................................................................

Profit before taxes from continuing operations.............
Charge for taxes, net ..........................................................
Profit (loss) for the year from continuing operations ...
Profit (loss) for the year from discontinued operations,

net of tax.........................................................................
Net profit (loss) for the year ............................................
Attributable to:
The owners of Millicom.....................................................
Non-controlling interests ...................................................
Earnings (loss) per common share for profit (loss)
attributable to the owners of the Company:

Basic (US$ per common share):
— from continuing operations ...........................................
— from discontinued operations........................................
— total...............................................................................
Diluted (US$ per common share):
— from continuing operations ...........................................
— from discontinued operations........................................
—total................................................................................

B.1.

B.2.

B.2.

E.2.2.

E.1.3.

A.2.

B.2.

B.3.

C.3.3.

B.5.

A.3.

B.6.

E.3.2.

A.1.4.

B.7.

B.7.

4,074
(1,146)
2,928
(1,674)
(685)
(144)

154

76

655
(371)
21
(40)

(136)

129
(116)
13

(39)
(26)

(10)
(16)

0.29
(0.39)
(0.10)

0.29
(0.39)
(0.10)

4,076
(1,205)
2,871
(1,593)
(695)
(146)

140

68

645
(396)
16
(4)

(85)

176
(158)
18

51

69

86
(17)

0.36

0.50
0.86

0.36

0.50

0.86

4,043
(1,175)
2,868
(1,627)
(678)
(175)

115
(14)
490
(372)
21
20

(49)

109
(179)
(70)

(20)
(90)

(32)
(58)

(0.12)
(0.20)
(0.32)

(0.12)
(0.20)
(0.32)

(i)  Re-presented for discontinued operations (shown in note A.4.). Not restated for the application of IFRS 15 and 9, as the 

Group elected the modified retrospective approach for both standards.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

95

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Net profit (loss) for the year ......................................................................
Other comprehensive income (to be reclassified to the statement

of income in subsequent periods), net of tax:

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations............................
Change in value of cash flow hedges, net of tax effects............................
Other comprehensive income (not to be reclassified to the
statement of income in subsequent periods), net of tax:

Remeasurements of post-employment benefit obligations, net of tax

effects.....................................................................................................
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year....................................
Attributable to:
Owners of the Company............................................................................
Non-controlling interests ...........................................................................
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year arises from:
Continuing operations ...............................................................................
Discontinued operations ............................................................................

2018

2017 (i)

2016 (i)

(US$ millions)
69

(26)

(81)
(1)

—
(108)

(78)
(30)

(97)
(11)

85
4

(2)
158

173
(15)

120
38

(90)

(14)
(3)

(2)
(109)

(60)
(49)

(86)
(23)

(i)  Re-presented for discontinued operations (shown in note A.4.). Not restated for the application of IFRS 15 and 9, as 

the Group elected the modified retrospective approach for both standards.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

96

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Consolidated statement of financial position
at December 31, 2018 and 2017

ASSETS
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Intangible assets, net..................................................................................
Property, plant and equipment, net ............................................................
Investments in joint ventures.....................................................................
Investments in associates...........................................................................
Contract costs, net .....................................................................................
Deferred tax assets.....................................................................................
Derivative financial instruments................................................................
Other non-current assets ............................................................................
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS .......................................................
CURRENT ASSETS
Inventories, net ..........................................................................................
Trade receivables, net ................................................................................
Contract assets, net ....................................................................................
Amounts due from non-controlling interests, associates and joint

ventures ..................................................................................................
Prepayments and accrued income .............................................................
Current income tax assets..........................................................................
Supplier advances for capital expenditure.................................................
Other current assets ...................................................................................
Restricted cash...........................................................................................
Cash and cash equivalents .........................................................................
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS .................................................................
Assets held for sale....................................................................................
TOTAL ASSETS ......................................................................................

Notes

December 31
2018

December 31
2017 (i)

(US$ millions)

E.1.

E.2.

A.2.

A.3.

F.5.

B.6.

D.1.2.

G.5.

F.2.

F.1.

F.5.

G.5.

C.4.

C.4.

E.3.2.

2,374

3,041

2,867

169

4

202

—

126

1,265

2,880

2,966

241

—

180

—

113

8,784

7,646

39

343

37

34

129

108

25

127

158

528

1,529

3

10,316

45

386

—

37

145

99

18

90

145

619

1,585

233

9,464

(i)  Not restated for the application of IFRS 15 and 9, as the Group elected the modified retrospective approach for both 

standards.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

97

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Consolidated statement of financial position
at December 31, 2018 and 2017 - continued

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
EQUITY
Share capital and premium ........................................................................
Treasury shares ..........................................................................................
Other reserves............................................................................................
Retained profits .........................................................................................
Profit (loss) for the year attributable to equity holders..............................
Equity attributable to owners of the Company ....................................
Non-controlling interests ...........................................................................
TOTAL EQUITY.....................................................................................

LIABILITIES
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Debt and financing ....................................................................................
Amounts due to non-controlling interests, associates and joint

ventures ..................................................................................................
Provisions and other non-current liabilities...............................................
Deferred tax liabilities ...............................................................................
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES .............................................

CURRENT LIABILITIES
Debt and financing ....................................................................................
Put option liability .....................................................................................
Payables and accruals for capital expenditures .........................................
Other trade payables ..................................................................................
Amounts due to non-controlling interests, associates and joint

ventures ..................................................................................................
Accrued interest and other expenses .........................................................
Current income tax liabilities ....................................................................
Contract liabilities .....................................................................................
Derivative financial instruments................................................................
Provisions and other current liabilities ......................................................
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES .......................................................
Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale .............................
TOTAL LIABILITIES............................................................................
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES ..................................................

Notes

December 31
2018

December 31
2017 (i)

(US$ millions)

C.1.

C.1.

A.1.4.

635
(81)
(538)
2,535
(10)
2,542

249

2,790

637
(106)
(472)
2,950

86

3,096

185

3,281

C.3.

4,123

3,600

G.5.

F.4.2.

B.6.

C.3.

C.6.3.

G.5.

F.5.

D.1.2.

F.4.1.

E.3.2.

135

351

233

124

335

56

4,841

4,116

458

239

335

282

348

383

58

87

—

494

2,684

—

7,526

10,316

185

—

304

288

296

353

81

—

56

425

1,989

79

6,183

9,464

(i)  Not restated for the application of IFRS 15 and 9, as the Group elected the modified retrospective approach for both 

standards.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

98

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Consolidated statement of cash flows
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Notes

2018

2017 (i)

2016 (i)

(US$ millions)

E.3.2.

A.2.

B.2, E.
3.2.

C.1.

A.1.2

A.3.

B.5.

Cash flows from operating activities (including

discontinued operations)
Profit before taxes from continuing operations....................
Profit (loss) before taxes from discontinued operations.......
Profit (loss) before taxes........................................................
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash:

Interest and other financial expenses, net.............................
Interest and other financial income ......................................

Adjustments for non-cash items:

Depreciation and amortization .............................................
Share of profit in Guatemala and Honduras joint

ventures.............................................................................
Gain (loss) on disposal and impairment of assets, net .........

Share-based compensation ...................................................
Transaction costs assumed by Cable Onda ..........................
(Profit) loss from other joint ventures and associates, net ...
Other non-cash non-operating (income) expenses, net ........
Changes in working capital:..............................................
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables, prepayments

and other current assets, net..............................................
(Increase) decrease in inventories ........................................
Increase (decrease) in trade and other payables, net ............
Changes in contract assets, liabilities and costs, net ............
Total changes in working capital ......................................
Interest (paid) .......................................................................
Interest received ...................................................................
Taxes (paid) ..........................................................................
Net cash provided by operating activities............................
Cash flows from investing activities (including

discontinued operations):

Acquisition of subsidiaries, joint ventures and

associates, net of cash acquired ........................................

A.1.

Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries and associates,

net of cash disposed ..........................................................
Purchase of intangible assets and licenses ...........................
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets................................
Purchase of property, plant and equipment ..........................
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment ..........
Dividend received from joint ventures.................................
Settlement of derivative financial instruments.....................
Cash (used in) provided by other investing activities, net ...
Net cash used in investing activities .....................................

E.3.2., A.
3.2.

E.1.4.

E.2.3.

C.3.4.

A.2.2

D.1.2

99

129
(39)
91

373
(21)

830

176

51

227

416
(16)

879

109
(26)
83

397
(22)

932

(154)

(140)

(115)

(36)
22

30

136

40

(128)
2

69
(9)
(66)
(318)
20
(153)
792

(953)

176
(148)
—
(632)
154

243
(63)
24
(1,199)

(99)
22

—

85
(2)

5

16
(82)
—
(61)
(372)
16
(132)
820

(22)

22
(133)
4
(650)
179

203

—

31
(367)

19

14

—

49
(22)

102

19
(109)
—

12
(357)
19
(130)
878

—

147
(143)
6
(719)
6
143

—

8
(552)

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Consolidated statement of cash flows
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Notes

2018

2017 (i)

2016 (i)

Cash flows from financing activities (including

discontinued operations):
Proceeds from debt and other financing...............................
Repayment of debt and other financing ...............................
Advances for, and dividends paid to non-controlling

C.3.

C.3.

1,155
(546)

996
(1,195)

interests ............................................................................. A.1./A.2.

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests .........................
Dividends paid to owners of the Company ..........................
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ............
Exchange impact on cash and cash equivalents, net ............
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents.........
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year .......
Effect of cash in disposal group held for sale ......................
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year ...............

C.2.

E.3.2

—
(2)
(266)
341
(33)
(98)
619

6

528

—

—
(265)
(464)
4
(8)
646
(19)
619

713
(821)

(68)
—
(265)
(441)
(8)
(123)
769

—

646

(i)  Re-presented for discontinued operations (shown in note A.4. and E.3.2.). Not restated for the application of IFRS 15 and 9, 

as the Group elected the modified retrospective approach for both standards.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

100

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Number of
shares
(000’s)

Number of
shares
held by
the Group
(000’s)

Share
capital(i)

Share
premium

Treasury
shares

Retained
profits(ii)

Other
reserves
(iii)

Non-
controlling
interests

Total
equity

Total

(US$ millions)

Balance on

January 1, 2016 .....................

101,739

(1,574)

153

486

(143)

3,513

(531)

3,477

251

3,728

Total comprehensive

income for the year ............

Dividends(iv) ..........................

Purchase of treasury shares .....

Share-based

compensation(v).................

Issuance of shares under
share-based payment
schemes ..............................

Balance on

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(37)

—

216

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1)

—

—

(3)

—

23

(32)

(265)

—

—

(28)

—

—

14

(1)

(17)

(60)

(265)

(3)

14

4

(49)

—

—

—

—

(109)

(265)

(3)

14

4

December 31, 2016 ................

101,739

(1,395)

153

485

(123)

3,215

(562)

3,167

201

3,368

Total comprehensive

income for the year ............

Dividends(iv) ..........................

Purchase of treasury shares .....

Share-based

compensation(v).................

Issuance of shares under
share-based payment
schemes ..............................

Balance on

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(32)

—

233

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1)

—

—

(3)

—

21

86

(265)

—

—

1

87

—

—

22

(18)

173

(265)

(3)

22

1

(15)

—

—

—

—

158

(265)

(3)

22

1

December 31, 2017 ................

101,739

(1,195)

153

484

(106)

3,035

(472)

3,096

185

3,281

Adjustment on adoption of
IFRS 15 and IFRS 9
(net of tax) (vi) ...................

Total comprehensive

income for the year ............
Dividends(iv) ..........................

Dividends to non-

controlling interests............

Purchase of treasury shares .....

Share-based

compensation(v).................

Issuance of shares under
share-based payment
schemes ..............................

Effect of change in

consolidation scope
(vii).....................................

Put option reserve(vii).............

Balance on

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(70)

—

351

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(2)

—

—

—

—

—

—

(6)

—

31

—

—

10

(10)

(266)

—

—

—

—

(68)

—

—

—

22

(5)

(22)

10

(78)

(266)

—

(6)

22

2

—

(239)

—

—

—

(239)

(4)

(30)

—

(13)

—

—

—

111

—

5

(108)

(266)

(13)

(6)

22

2

111

(239)

December 31, 2018 ................

101,739

(913)

153

482

(81)

2,525

(538)

2,542

249

2,790

(i)  Share capital and share premium – see note C.1.

(ii)  Retained profits – includes profit for the year attributable to equity holders, of which $324 million (2017: $345 million; 

2016: $321 million) are not distributable to equity holders.

(iii)  Other reserves – see note C.1.

(iv)  Dividends – see note C.2.

(v)  Share-based compensation – see note C.1.

(vi)  See below for details about changes in accounting policies.

(vii) Effect of the acquisition of Cable Onda S.A. See notes A.1.2. and C.6.3. for further details.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

101

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

Introduction

Corporate Information

Millicom International Cellular S.A. (the “Company” or “MIC S.A.”), a Luxembourg Société Anonyme, and its 

subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates (the “Group” or “Millicom”) is an international telecommunications and 
media group providing digital lifestyle services in emerging markets, through mobile and fixed telephony, cable, 
broadband, Pay-TV in Latin America (Latam) and Africa.

The Company’s shares are traded as Swedish Depositary Receipts on the Stockholm stock exchange under the 
symbol TIGO SDB (formerly MIC SDB) and, since January 9, 2019, on the Nasdaq Stock Market in the U.S. under 
the ticker symbol TIGO. The Company has its registered office at 2, Rue du Fort Bourbon, L-1249 Luxembourg, 
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and is registered with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce under the number RCS 
B 40 630.

On February 28, 2019, the Board of Directors authorized these consolidated financial statements for issuance.

Business activities

Millicom operates its mobile businesses in Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) in South 

America (Bolivia, Colombia and Paraguay), and in Africa (Chad, Ghana and Tanzania).

Millicom operates various cable and fixed line businesses in Latam (Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Paraguay and Panama). Millicom also provides direct to home satellite 
service in most of its Latam countries.

On December 31, 2015, Millicom deconsolidated its operations in Guatemala and Honduras which are, since 

that date and for accounting purposes, under joint control.

Millicom has investments in online/e-commerce businesses in several countries in Latam and Africa, 
investments in a tower holding company in Africa and various investments in start-up businesses providing e-
payments and content to its mobile and cable customers.

IFRS Consolidated Financial Statements

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
as issued by the IASB (IFRS). They are also compliant with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted 
by the European Union. This is in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and 
of the Council of July 19, 2002, on the application of international accounting standards for listed companies 
domiciled in the European Union.

The financial statements have been prepared on an historical cost basis, except for certain items including 

derivative financial instruments and call options (measured at fair value), financial instruments that contain 
obligations to purchase own equity instruments (measured at the present value of the redemption price), and 
property, plant and equipment under finance leases (initially measured at the lower of fair value and present value of 
the future minimum lease payments).

This section contains the Group’s significant accounting policies that relate to the financial statements as a 

whole. Significant accounting policies specific to one note are included within that note. Accounting policies 
relating to non-material items are not included in these financial statements.

102

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Group comprise the financial statements of the Company and its 
subsidiaries as of December 31 of each year. The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same 
reporting year as the Company, using consistent accounting policies.

All intra-group balances, transactions, income and expenses, and profits and losses resulting from intra-group 

transactions are eliminated.

Foreign currency

Financial information in these financial statements are shown in the US dollar presentation currency of the 
Group and rounded to the nearest million (US$ million) except where otherwise indicated. The financial statements 
of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which each 
entity operates (the functional currency). The functional currency of each subsidiary, joint venture and associate 
reflects the economic substance of the underlying events and circumstances of these entities. Except for El Salvador 
where the functional currency is US dollar, the functional currency in other countries is the local currency.

The results and financial position of all Group entities (none of which operate in an economy with a 
hyperinflationary environment) with functional currency other than the US dollar presentation currency are 
translated into the presentation currency as follows:

(i)  Assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate on the date of the statement of financial position;

(ii)  Income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates (unless this average is not a reasonable 
approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case 
income and expenses are translated at the dates of the transactions); and

(iii) All resulting exchange differences are recognized as a separate component of equity (currency translation 

reserve), in the caption “Other reserves”.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of net investments in foreign operations, 
and of borrowings and other currency instruments designated as hedges of such investments, are recorded in equity. 
When the Group disposes of or loses control over a foreign operation, exchange differences that were recorded in 
equity are recognized in the consolidated income statement as part of gain or loss on sale or loss of control.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets and 

liabilities of the foreign operation and translated at the closing rate.

103

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

The following table presents functional currency translation rates for the Group’s locations to the US dollar on 

December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and the average rates for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Exchange Rates to
Functional
the US Dollar
Currency
Bolivia ................. Boliviano

2018
Average
Rate

2018
Year-end
Rate

Change
%

2017
Average
Rate

2017
Year-end
Rate

Change
%

2016
Average
Rate

(BOB)

6.91

6.91

n/a

6.91

6.91

n/a

6.91

Chad ..................... CFA Franc

(XAF)

Colombia ............. Peso (COP)
Costa Rica ............ Costa Rican
Colon (CRC)

El Salvador........... US dollar
Ghana ................... Cedi (GHS)
Guatemala ............ Quetzal (GTQ)
Honduras.............. Lempira (HNL)
Luxembourg......... Euro (EUR)
Nicaragua ............. Cordoba (NIO)
Panama................. Balboa (B/.) (i)
Paraguay .............. Guarani (PYG)
Sweden................. Krona (SEK)
Tanzania............... Shilling (TZS)
United

Kingdom .......... Pound (GBP)

571
2,973

578
 n/a
4.63
7.52
23.99
0.85
31.55
 n/a
5,743
8.71
2,274

580
3,250

608
 n/a
4.82
7.74
24.42
0.87
32.33
 n/a
5,961
8.85
2,299

3.99%
8.91%

6.12%
n/a
9.12%
5.41%
3.19%
5.08%
5%
n/a
6.64%
8.23%
2.42%

588
2,961

571
n/a
4.36
7.36
23.58
0.89
30.05
n/a
5,626
8.53
2,233

558
2,984

573
n/a
4.42
7.34
23.67
0.83
30.79
n/a
5,590
8.18
2,245

12.00
1.00

(2.00)
n/a
(5.00)
2.00
—
12.00
(5.00)
n/a
3.00
10.00
(3.00)

600
3,049

551
n/a
3.92
7.61
22.92
0.91
28.62
n/a
5,686
8.58
2,183

0.75

0.78

5.93%

0.77

0.74

9.00

0.74

(i) the balboa is tied to the United States dollar at an exchange rate of 1:1.

New and amended IFRS accounting standards

The following changes to standards effective for annual periods starting on January 1, 2018 have been adopted 
by the Group:

• 

IFRS 15 “Contracts with customers” establishes a five-step model related to revenue recognition from 
contracts with customers. Under IFRS 15, revenue is recognized at amounts that reflect the consideration that an 
entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. The Group adopted 
the accounting standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method which had an immaterial 
impact on its Group financial statements. IFRS 15 mainly affects the timing of recognition of revenue as it 
introduces more differences between the billing and the recognition of the revenue and, in some cases, the 
recognition of the revenue as a principal (gross) or as an agent (net). However, it does not affect the cash flows 
generated by the Group.

As a consequence of adopting this Standard:

1)  some revenue is recognized earlier, as a larger portion of the total consideration received in a bundled 

contract is attributable to the component delivered at contract inception (i.e. typically a subsidized handset). 
Therefore, this produces a shift from service revenue (which decreases) to the benefit of Telephone and 
Equipment revenue. This results in the recognition of a Contract Asset on the statement of financial 
position, as more revenue is recognized upfront, while the cash will be received throughout the subscription 
period (which is usually between 12 to 36 months). Contract Assets (and liabilities) are reported on a 
separate line in current assets / liabilities even if their realization period is longer than 12 months. This is 
because they are realized / settled as part of the normal operating cycle of our core business.

104

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

2) 

3) 

the cost incurred to obtain a contract (mainly commissions) is now capitalized in the statement of financial 
position and amortized over the average contract term. This results in the recognition of Contract Costs 
being capitalized under non-current assets on the statement of financial position.

the Group recognizes revenue from its wholesale carrier business on a net basis as an agent rather than as a 
principal under the modified retrospective IFRS 15 transition. Except for this effect, there were no other 
material changes for the purpose of determining whether the Group acts as principal or an agent in the sale 
of products.

4) 

the presentation of certain material amounts in the consolidated statement of financial position has been 
changed to reflect the terminology of IFRS 15: 

a.  Contract assets recognized in relation to service contracts.

b.  Contract costs in relation to capitalized cost incurred to obtain a contract (mainly commissions).

c.  Contract liabilities in relation to service contracts were previously included in trade and other payables.

The Group has adopted the standard using the modified retrospective method. Hence, the cumulative effect of 
initially applying the Standard has been recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings 
as at January 1, 2018 and comparative financial statements have not been restated in accordance with the 
transitional provisions in IFRS 15. The impact on the opening balance of retained profits as at January 1, 2018 
is summarized in the table set out at the end  of this section.

Additionally, the Group has decided to take some of the practical expedients foreseen in the Standard, such as:

•  No adjustment to the transaction price for the means of a financing component whenever the period 

between the transfer of a promised good or service to a customer and the associated payment is one year or 
less; when the period is more than one year the financing component is adjusted, if material.

•  Disclosure in the Group Financial Statements the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance 
obligations only for contracts that have an original expected duration of more than one year (e.g. 
unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts that have an original duration of one year or less are not 
disclosed).

•  Application of the practical expedient not to disclose the price allocated to unsatisfied performance 

obligations, if the consideration from a customer corresponds to the value of the entity’s performance 
obligation to the customer (i.e, if billing corresponds to accounting revenue).

•  Application of the practical expedient to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an 

expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that otherwise would have been recognized is 
one year or less.

•  Revenue recognition accounting principles are further described in Note B.1.1.

• 

IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” addresses the classification, measurement and recognition and impairments 
of financial assets and financial liabilities as well as hedge accounting. It replaces the parts of IAS 39 that relate 
to the classification and measurement of financial instruments. IFRS 9 requires financial assets to be classified 
into two measurement categories: those measured at fair value and those measured at amortized cost. The 
determination is made at initial recognition. The classification depends on the Group’s business model for 
managing its financial instruments and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the instrument. For financial 
liabilities, the standard retains most of the IAS 39 requirements. The main change is that, in cases where the fair 
value option is taken for financial liabilities, the part of a fair value change due to an entity’s own credit risk is 
recorded in other comprehensive income rather than the income statement, unless this creates an accounting 
mismatch. A final standard on hedging (excluding macro-hedging) was issued in November 2013 which aligns 

105

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

hedge accounting more closely with risk management and allows to continue hedge accounting under IAS 39. 
IFRS 9 also clarifies the accounting for certain modifications and exchanges of financial liabilities measured at 
amortized cost.

The application of IFRS 9 did not have an impact for the Group on classification, measurement and recognition 
of financial assets and financial liabilities compared to IAS 39, but it has an impact on impairment of trade 
receivables and contracts assets (IFRS 15) as well as on amounts due from joint ventures and related parties - 
with the application of the expected credit loss model instead of the current incurred loss model. As permitted 
under IFRS 9, the Group adopted the standard without restating comparatives for classification, measurement 
and impairment. Hence, the cumulative effect of initially applying the Standard has been recognized as an 
adjustment to the opening balance of retained profits at January 1, 2018. The impact on the opening balance of 
retained profits at January 1, 2018 is summarized in the table set out at the end of this section. Additionally, the 
Group continues applying IAS 39 rules with respect to hedge accounting. Finally, the clarification introduced by 
IFRS 9 on the accounting for certain modifications and exchanges of financial liabilities measured at amortized 
cost did not have an impact for the Group.

Financial instruments accounting principles are further described in Note C.6.

The application of IFRS 15 and IFRS 9 had the following impact on the Group financial statements at 

January 1, 2018:

As at January
1, 2018 before
application

Effect of
adoption of
IFRS 15

Effect of
adoption of
IFRS 9

As at January
1, 2018 after
application

Reason for
the change

(US$ millions)

FINANCIAL POSITION
ASSETS
Investment in joint ventures (non-current).
Contract costs, net (non-current) NEW......
Deferred tax asset .......................................
Other non-current assets.............................
Trade receivables, net (current)..................
Contract assets, net (current) NEW............
LIABILITIES
Contract liabilities (current) NEW .............
Provisions and other current liabilities.......
Deferred tax liability (non-current) ............
EQUITY
Retained profits and loss for the year.........
Non-controlling interests............................

2,966
—
180
113
386
—

—
425
56

3,035
185

27
4
—
—
—
29

51
(46)
7

48
—

(4)
—
10
(1)
(47)
(1)

—
—
(1)

(38)
(5)

2,989
4
191
113
339
28

51
379
62

3,045
181

(i)
(ii)
(viii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)

(vi)
(vii)
(viii)

(ix)
(ix)

(i) 

Impact of application of IFRS 15 and IFRS 9 for our joint ventures in Guatemala, Honduras and Ghana.

(ii)  This mainly represents commissions capitalized and amortized over the average contract term. 

(iii)  Effect of the application of the expected credit losses required by IFRS 9 on amounts due from joint ventures.

(iv)  Effect of the application of the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9, which requires expected lifetime losses to be 

recognized from initial recognition of the receivables.

(v)  Contract assets mainly represents subsidized handsets as more revenue is recognized upfront while the cash will be received 

throughout the subscription period (which is usually between 12 to 36 months).

106

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

(vi)  This mainly represents deferred revenue for goods and services not yet delivered to customers that will be recognized when 
the goods are delivered and the services are provided to customers. The balance also comprises revenue from the billing of 
subscription fees or ‘one-time’ fees at the inception of a contract that are deferred and will be recognized over the average 
customer retention period or the contract term.

(vii) Reclassification of deferred revenue to contract liabilities - see previous paragraph.

(viii) Tax effects of the above adjustments.

(ix)  Cumulative catch-up effect.

As of January 1, 2018, IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 implementations had no impact on the statement of cash flows or 

on EPS.

The following summarizes the amount by which each financial statement line item is affected in the current 

reporting year by the application of IFRS 15 as compared to previous standard and interpretations:

2018

Without
adoption of
IFRS 15

(US$ millions)

Effect of
Change
Higher/
(Lower)

Reason for
the change

As reported

INCOME STATEMENT
Total revenue......................................................................
Cost of sales .......................................................................
Operating expenses ............................................................
Share of profit in the joint ventures in Guatemala and
Honduras ............................................................................
Tax impact..........................................................................

4,074
(1,146)
(1,674)

154
(116)

4,151
(1,194)
(1,714)

152
(115)

(77)
48

40

2
(1)

(i)

(ii)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(i)  Mainly for adjustments for "principal vs agent" considerations under IFRS 15 for wholesale carrier business, as well as for 

the shift in the timing of revenue recognition due to the reallocation of revenue from service (over time) to telephone and 
equipment revenue (point in time).

(ii)  Mainly for the reallocation of cost for selling devices due to shift from service revenue to telephone and equipment 

revenue, for the capitalization and amortization of contract costs and for adjustments for "principal vs agent" under IFRS 
15 for wholesale carrier business.

(iii) 

Impact of IFRS 15 related to our share of profit in our joint ventures in Guatemala and Honduras.

(iv)  Tax effects of the above adjustments.

107

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

FINANCIAL POSITION
ASSETS
Investment in joint ventures (non-current) ........................
Contract costs, net (non-current)........................................
Deferred tax assets .............................................................
Contract assets, net (current)..............................................
LIABILITIES
Contract liabilities (current)...............................................
Provisions and other current liabilities ..............................
Current income tax liabilities.............................................
Deferred tax liabilities (non-current) .................................
EQUITY
Retained profits and loss for the year ................................
Non-controlling interests ...................................................

2018

Without
adoption of
IFRS 15

(US$ millions)

Effect of
Change
Higher/
(Lower)

Reason for
the change

As reported

2,867

2,839

4

202

37

87

494

58
233

—

200

—

—

576

55
226

2,525

249

2,468

246

28

4

2

37

87
(82)
3
7

57

3

(i)

(ii)

(vi)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi)
(vi)

(vii)

(vii)

(i) 

Impact of application of IFRS 15 for our joint ventures in Guatemala, Honduras and Ghana.

(ii)  This mainly represents commissions capitalized and amortized over the average contract term.

(iii)  Contract assets mainly represents subsidized handsets as more revenue is recognized upfront while the cash will be 

received throughout the subscription period (which are usually between 12 to 36 months). Throughout the year ended 
December 31, 2018 no material impairment loss has been recognized.

(iv)  This mainly represents deferred revenue for goods and services not yet delivered to customers that will be recognized when 
the goods are delivered and the services are provided to customers. The balance also comprises the revenue from the billing 
of subscription fees or ‘one-time’ fees at the inception of a contract that are deferred and will be recognized over the 
average customer retention period or the contract term. 

(v)  Reclassification of deferred revenue to contract liabilities - see previous paragraph.

(vi)  Tax effects of the above adjustments.

(vii)  Cumulative catch-up effect and IFRS 15 effect in the current year.

The application of the following new standards or interpretations applicable on January 1, 2018 did not have 
an impact for the Group:

•  Amendments to IFRS 2, ‘Share based payments’, on clarifying how to account for certain types of share-

based payment transactions.

•  Amendments to IFRS 4, ‘Insurance contracts’ regarding the implementation of IFRS 9, ‘Financial 

instruments’.

• 

IFRIC 22 ‘Foreign currency transactions and advance consideration’ regarding foreign currency 
transactions or parts of transactions where there is consideration that is denominated or priced in a foreign 
currency.

•  Annual improvements to IFRS Standards 2014-2016.

108

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

There are no other significant changes to standards effective for the annual year starting on January 1, 2018.

The following standard, which is expected to materially affect the Group, will be effective from January 1, 2019:

• 

IFRS 16 “Leases” will primarily affect the accounting for the Group’s operating leases. These commitments 
will result in the recognition of a right of use asset and a lease liability for future payments. The application of 
this standard will affect the Group’s depreciation, debt and other financing and leverage ratios. The change in 
presentation of operating lease expenses will result in a corresponding improvement in cash flows derived from 
operating activities and a decline in cash flows from financing activities.

The Group will adopt the standard using the modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of applying 
the  new  Standard  recognized  in  retained  profits  as  of  January 1,  2019.  Comparatives  for  the  2018  financial 
statements will not be restated.

Short-term leases with a term not exceeding the 12 months as well as leases where the underlying asset is of low 
value will not be capitalized: instead, Millicom will use the practical expedient and associated lease payments will 
be recognized as an expense.

Furthermore, the Group has taken the additional following decisions to adopt the standard:

•  Non-lease components will be capitalized (IFRS16.15)
Intangible assets are out of IFRS 16 scope (IFRS16.4)
• 

At transition date, the Group will recognize lease liabilities in relation to leases which had previously been classified 
as operating leases under the principles of IAS 17 Leases (such as site leases, land and buildings leases, etc). These 
liabilities will be measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the lessee’s 
incremental borrowing rate as of January 1, 2019. The right-of-use asset will be measured at an amount equal to 
the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments relating to that lease recognized 
in the statement of financial position immediately before the date of initial application.

According  to  the  new  Standard,  Millicom  shall  determine  the  lease  term  including  any  lessee's  extension  or 
termination  option  that  is  deemed  reasonably  certain  as  well  as  lessors'  extension  or  termination  option. The 
assessment of such options shall be performed at the commencement of a lease. This requires judgment by the 
management of Millicom, which may have a significant impact on the lease liability recognized under IFRS 16.

Measuring the lease liability at the present value of the remaining lease payments requires using an appropriate 
discount rate in accordance with IFRS 16. Millicom uses the interest rate implicit in the lease or if that cannot be 
determined, the incremental borrowing rate at the date of the lease commencement. Millicom renders this judgment 
in accordance with its accounting policy on leases. The incremental borrowing rate applied can have a significant 
impact on the net present value of the lease liability recognized under IFRS 16. 

Under the new Standard, the accounting of sale and leaseback transactions will change as the underlying sale 
transaction needs to be firstly analyzed using the guidance of IFRS 15. The seller/lessee recognizes a right-of-use 
asset in the amount of the proportional original carrying amount that relates to the right of use retained. Accordingly, 
only the proportional amount of gain or loss from the sale must be recognized. The impact from sale and leaseback 
transactions will not be material for Millicom Group as of the date of initial application.

While the Group is finalizing the implementation of the new Standard, as a preliminary result, it expects to 
recognize additional lease liabilities of approximately $600 million. The impact on retained profits is expected to be 
immaterial. 

109

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Further changes to standards not yet effective and not early adopted by Millicom on January 1, 2018 

Amendment to IFRS 9,
Financial instruments’, on
prepayment features with
negative compensation

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over
income tax treatments

Annual improvements
2015-2017

Amendments to IAS 19,
‘Employee benefits’ on
plan amendment,
curtailment
or settlement’

This amendment confirms that when a financial liability
measured at amortized cost is modified without this
resulting in de-recognition, a gain or loss should be
recognized immediately in profit or loss. The gain or loss is
calculated as the difference between the original contractual
cash flows and the modified cash flows discounted at the
original effective interest rate. This means that the
difference cannot be spread over the remaining life of the
instrument which may be a change in practice from IAS 39.
The Group expects this amendment to have an impact in the
future on the consolidated financial statements in case of a
modification of a financial liability measured at amortized
cost.

IFRIC 23 clarifies how the recognition and measurement
requirements of IAS 12 Income taxes, are applied where
there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. The
interpretation is effective for annual periods beginning on or
after January 1, 2019. Earlier application is permitted. The
Group is currently assessing the impact of this interpretation
but does not expect any significant effect of applying it.

These amendments impact four standards: IFRS 3, Business
Combinations and IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements regarding
previously held interest in a joint operation. IAS 12, Income
Taxes regarding income tax consequences of payments on
financial instruments classified as equity. And finally, IAS
23, Borrowing Costs regarding eligibility for capitalization.
Again, the Group does not expect these improvements to
have a material impact on the consolidated financial
statements. These improvements have not been endorsed by
the EU yet.

These amendments require an entity to:
• use updated assumptions to determine current service cost
and net interest for the remainder of the period after a plan
amendment, curtailment or settlement; and
• recognize in profit or loss as part of past service cost, or a
gain or loss on settlement, any reduction in a surplus, even
if that surplus was not previously recognized because of the
impact of the asset ceiling.
The Group does not expect these amendments to have a
material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
These amendments have not been endorsed by the EU yet.

January 1, 2019

January 1, 2019

January 1, 2019

January 1, 2019

110

 
Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Amendments to IFRS 3 –
definition of a business

Amendments to IAS 1,
‘Presentation of financial
statements’, and IAS 8,
‘Accounting policies, changes
in accounting estimates and
errors’

January 1, 2020

January 1, 2020

This amendment revises the definition of a business. The
Group does not expect these amendments to have a material
impact on the consolidated financial statements. These
amendments have not been endorsed by the EU yet.

These amendments to IAS 1, ‘Presentation of financial 
statements’, and IAS 8, ‘Accounting policies, changes in 
accounting estimates and errors’, and consequential 
amendments to other IFRSs:

i) use a consistent definition of materiality throughout 
IFRSs and the Conceptual Framework for Financial 
Reporting; ii) clarify the explanation of the definition of 
material; and iii) incorporate some of the guidance in IAS 1 
about immaterial information. 

The Group does not expect these amendments to have a 
material impact on the consolidated financial statements. 
These amendments have not been endorsed by the EU yet.

Judgments and critical estimates

The preparation of IFRS financial statements requires management to use judgment in applying accounting 
policies. It also requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates and assumptions that affect the reported 
amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial 
statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates are based 
on management's best knowledge of current events, actions and best estimates as of a specified date, and actual 
results may ultimately differ from these estimates. Areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or 
areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed in each note and are 
summarized below:

Judgments

Management apply judgment in accounting treatment and accounting policies in preparation of these financial 

statements. In particular, a significant level of judgment is applied regarding the following items:

•  Contingent liabilities – whether or not a provision should be recorded for any potential liabilities (see note 

G.3.);

•  Leases – whether the substance of leases meets the IFRS criteria for recognition as finance or operating 

leases or services contracts, or elements of each (see notes E.2. and G.2.);

•  Control – whether Millicom, through voting rights and potential voting rights attached to shares held, or by 
way of shareholders’ agreements or other factors, has the ability to direct the relevant activities of the 
subsidiaries it consolidates, or jointly direct the relevant activities of its joint ventures (see notes A.1., A.2.);

•  Discontinued operations and assets held for sale – definition, classification and presentation (see notes 

A.4., E.3.1.) as well as measurement of potential provisions related to indemnities;

•  Deferred tax assets – recognition based on likely timing and level of future taxable profits together with 

future tax planning strategies (see notes B.6.3. and G.3.2.);

•  Acquisitions – measurement at fair value of existing and newly identified assets, including the 

measurement of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, liabilities and remaining goodwill; the 
assessment of useful lives; as well as the accounting treatment for transaction costs (see notes A.1.2., E.
1.1., E.1.5., E.2.1.);

111

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

•  Defined benefit obligations – key assumptions related to life expectancies, salary increases and leaving 

rates, mainly related to UNE Colombia (see note B.4.3.);

• 

Impairment testing – key assumptions related to future business performance, perpetual growth rates and 
discount rates (see notes E.1.2., E.1.6., E.2.2.).

•  Revenue recognition – whether or not the Group acts as principal or as an agent and when there is one or 

several performance obligations (see note B.1.1.).

Estimates

Estimates are based on historical experience and other factors, including reasonable expectations of future 
events. These factors are reviewed in preparation of the financial statements although, due to inherent uncertainties 
in the evaluation process, actual results may differ from original estimates. Estimates are subject to change as new 
information becomes available and may significantly affect future operating results. Significant estimates have been 
applied in respect of the following items:

•  Accounting for property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets in determining fair values at 
acquisition dates, particularly for assets acquired in business combinations and sale and leaseback 
transactions (see note E.2.1.);

•  Useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (see notes E.1.1., E.2.1.);

•  Provisions, in particular provisions for asset retirement obligations, legal and tax risks (see note F.4.);

•  Revenue recognition (see note B.1.1.);

• 

Impairment testing including weighted average cost of capital (WACC) and long term growth rates (see 
note E.1.6.);

•  Estimates for defined benefit obligations (see note B.4.3.);

•  Accounting for share-based compensation in particular estimates of forfeitures and future performance 

criteria (see notes B.4.1., B.4.2.).

A. The Millicom Group

The Group comprises a number of holding companies, operating subsidiaries and joint ventures with various 
combinations of mobile, fixed-line telephony, cable and wireless Pay TV, Internet and Mobile Financial Services 
(MFS) businesses. The Group also holds investments in a tower holding company investing in Africa and in online 
businesses in Latam and Africa.

A.1. Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are all entities which Millicom controls. Millicom controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has 

rights to variable returns from its investment in the entity, and has the ability to affect those returns through its 
power over the subsidiary. Millicom has power over an entity when it has existing rights that give it the current 
ability to direct the relevant activities, i.e. the activities that significantly affect the entity’s returns. Generally, 
control accompanies a shareholding of more than half of the voting rights although certain other factors (including 
contractual arrangements with other shareholders, voting and potential voting rights) are considered when assessing 
whether Millicom controls an entity. For example, although Millicom holds less than 50% of the shares in its 
Colombian businesses, it holds more than 50% of shares with voting rights. The contrary may also be true (e.g. 
Guatemala and Honduras). In respect of the joint ventures in Guatemala and Honduras, shareholders’ agreements 

112

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

require unanimous consents for decisions over the relevant activities of these entities (see also note A.2.2). 
Therefore, the Group has joint control over these entities and accounts for them under the equity method.

Our main subsidiaries are as follows:

Entity
Latin America

Country

Activity

December 31,
2018
% holding

December 31,
2017
% holding

December 31,
2016
% holding

Telemovil El Salvador S.A. de

C.V................................................. El Salvador

Mobile, MFS, Cable, DTH,
PayTV

Navega.com SA, Sucursal El

Salvador......................................... El Salvador Cable, DTH

Cable Costa Rica S.A. ....................... Costa Rica

Cable, DTH

Telefonica Celular de Bolivia S.A..... Bolivia

Telefonica Celular del Paraguay

Mobile, DTH, MFS, Cable,
PayTV

S.A. ................................................ Paraguay

Mobile, MFS, Cable, PayTV

Cable Onda S.A (i). ........................... Panama

Cable, PayTV, Internet, DTH,
Fixed-line

100

100

100

100

100

80

100

100

100

100

100

—

100

100

100

100

100

—

Colombia Móvil S.A. E.S.P.(ii)......... Colombia

Mobile

50-1 share

50-1 share

50-1 share

UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones

S.A.(ii) ........................................... Colombia

Edatel S.A. E.S.P.(ii) ......................... Colombia
Africa

Fixed-line, Internet, PayTV,
Mobile

Fixed-line, Internet, PayTV,
Cable

50-1 share

50-1 share

50-1 share

50-1 share

50-1 share

50-1 share

Millicom Ghana Company

Limited(iii) .................................... Ghana

Mobile, MFS

Sentel GSM S.A.(iv) ......................... Senegal

Mobile, MFS

MIC Tanzania Public Limited

Company........................................ Tanzania

Mobile, MFS

Millicom Tchad S.A. ......................... Chad

Mobile, MFS

Millicom Rwanda Limited(iv)........... Rwanda

Mobile, MFS

Zanzibar Telecom Limited................. Tanzania
Unallocated

Mobile, MFS

Millicom International Operations

S.A. ................................................ Luxembourg Holding Company

Millicom International Operations

B.V................................................. Netherlands Holding Company

Millicom LIH S.A. ............................ Luxembourg Holding Company

MIC Latin America B.V. ................... Netherlands Holding Company

Millicom Africa B.V.......................... Netherlands Holding Company

Millicom Holding B.V....................... Netherlands Holding Company

Millicom Spain S.L. .......................... Spain

Holding Company

—

—

100

100

—

85

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

—

100

100

100

100

85

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

85

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

(i)  Acquisition completed on December 13, 2018. Cable Onda S.A. is fully consolidated as Millicom has the majority of voting 

shares to direct the relevant activities. See note A.1.2..

(ii)  Fully consolidated as Millicom has the majority of voting shares to direct the relevant activities.

(iii)  Merged with Airtel Ghana in October 2017 and classified as discontinued operations for the year then ended (see note E.

3.2.). Merged entity is accounted for as a joint venture as from merger date (see note A.2.2.).

(iv)  See note A.1.3.

113

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

A.1.1. Accounting for subsidiaries and non-controlling interests

Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to Millicom. If facts and 
circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the elements of control, a reassessment is performed 
to determine if control still exists. Subsidiaries are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases. Transactions 
with non-controlling interests are accounted for as transactions with equity owners of the Group. Gains or losses on 
disposals of non-controlling interests are recorded in equity. For purchases from non-controlling interests, the 
difference between any consideration paid and the relevant share acquired of the carrying value of net assets of the 
subsidiary is also recorded in equity.

A.1.2. Acquisition of subsidiaries and increases in non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

On October 7, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling 80% stake in Cable Onda, 
the largest cable and fixed telecommunications services provider in Panama. The transaction valued 100% of Cable 
Onda at an enterprise value of $1,460 million. The selling shareholders retained a 20% equity stake in the company. 
The transaction closed on December 13, 2018 after receipt of necessary approvals for a cash consideration of $956 
million. In addition, Millicom assumed Cable Onda’s debt obligations. The Group funded the purchase price for this 
acquisition by incurring additional indebtedness, including $250 million under the Bridge Facility and $500 million 
aggregate principal amount of the 6.625% Notes (see note C.3.1) and with available resources. A final price 
adjustment, per the terms of the agreement, is expected to occur in Q1 2019. 

Millicom concluded that it controls Cable Onda since closing date and therefore fully consolidates it in its 
financial statements with a 20% non-controlling interest. The deal also includes certain liquidity rights such as call 
and put options. See note C.6.3. for further details on the accounting treatment of these options. The purchase 
consideration also includes certain amounts under escrow in respect of final price adjustment and potential 
indemnifications from the sellers (potential tax and litigations).

For the purchase accounting, Millicom determined the fair value of Cable Onda identifiable assets and liabilities 
based on transaction and relative values. The non-controlling interest was measured based on the proportionate share 
of the fair value of the net assets of Cable Onda. The purchase accounting is still provisional at December 31, 2018, 
particularly in respect of the evaluation of certain tangible assets.

Intangible assets (excluding goodwill), net (i) .........................................................................................
Property, plant and equipment, net ...........................................................................................................
Current assets (excluding cash) (ii) (iii) ...................................................................................................
Cash and cash equivalents ........................................................................................................................
Total assets acquired...............................................................................................................................
Non-current liabilities (iv) ........................................................................................................................
Current liabilities (v).................................................................................................................................
Total liabilities assumed .........................................................................................................................
Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net...................................................................
Transaction costs assumed by Cable Onda (vi) ........................................................................................
Fair value of non-controlling interest in Cable Onda (20%) ....................................................................
Millicom’s interest in the fair value of Cable Onda (80%) ......................................................................
Acquisition price.......................................................................................................................................
Provisional Goodwill ..............................................................................................................................

114

Provisional
Fair values
(100%)

(US$ millions)
673
348
54
12
1,088
422
141
563
525
30
111
444
956
512

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

(i) 

Intangible assets not previously recognized (or partially recognized as a result of previous acquisitions) are trademarks for 
an amount of $280 million, with estimated useful lives of 3 years, a customer list for an amount of $370 million, with 
estimated useful life of 20 years and favorable content contracts for $19 million, with a useful life of 10 years. 

 (ii)  Current assets include indemnification assets for tax contingencies at fair value for an amount of $4 million - see below.

(iii)  The fair value of trade receivables acquired was $34 million. 

(iv)  Non-current liabilities include the deferred tax liability of $158 million resulting from the above adjustments.

 (v)  Current liabilities include the fair value of certain tax contingent liabilities of $5 million. These are partly covered by the 

indemnification assets described in (ii) above.

 (vi)  Transaction costs of $30 million have been assumed and paid by Cable Onda before the acquisition or by Millicom on the 

closing date. Because of their relationship with the acquisition, these costs have been accounted for as post-acquisition 
costs in the Millicom Group statement of income. These, together with acquisition-related costs of $11 million, have been 
recorded under operating expenses in the statement of income of the year.

The goodwill, which is not expected to be tax deductible, is attributable to Cable Onda’s strong market position and 
profitability, as well as to the fair value of the assembled work force. From December 13, 2018 to December 31, 
2018, Cable Onda contributed $17 million of revenue and a net loss of $7 million to the Group. If Cable Onda had 
been acquired on 1 January 2018 incremental revenue for the 2018 year would have been $403 million and 
incremental net loss for that period of $59 million, including amortization of assets not previously recognized of $85 
million (net of tax).

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Group also completed minor additional acquisitions for $9 

million.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, Tigo Paraguay completed the acquisition of TV Cable Parana for a 

total consideration of approximately $18 million, net of cash acquired. The purchase accounting was finalized in 
March 2017. The purchase price has been mainly allocated to a customer list ($14 million) and to other tangible and 
intangible fixed assets ($3 million). As a result, the final goodwill amounted to $1 million.

A.1.3. Disposal of subsidiaries and decreases in non-controlling interests of subsidiaries

Rwanda

On December 19, 2017, Millicom announced that it has signed an agreement for the sale of its Rwanda 
operations to subsidiaries of Bharti Airtel Limited. The sale was subsequently completed on January 31, 2018. In 
accordance with Group practices, Rwanda operations’ assets and liabilities were classified as held for sale on 
January 23, 2018. Rwanda’s operations also represented a separate geographical area and did qualify for 
discontinued operations presentation. As a result, the Group statements of income for the years ended December 31, 
2016 and 2017 have been restated accordingly to show the results on a single line in the statements of income 
(‘Profit (loss) for the year from discontinued operations, net of tax’). On January 31, 2018, the Group's operations in 
Rwanda were deconsolidated and no material loss on disposal was recognized (its carrying value was aligned to its 
fair value less costs of disposal as of December 31, 2017). However, a loss of $32 million was recognized in 2018 
corresponding to the recycling of foreign currency exchange losses accumulated in equity since the creation of the 
Company. This loss was recognized under ‘Profit (loss) for the year from discontinued operations, net of tax’. The 
final sale consideration is still subject to adjustment under the terms of the sale and purchase agreement with Airtel. 
Management does not expect any material deviation from the initial consideration. (see note E.3.)

Senegal

On July 28, 2017, Millicom announced that it had agreed to sell its Senegal business to a consortium consisting 

of NJJ, Sofima (managed by the Axian Group) and Teylium Group, subject to customary closing conditions and 
regulatory approvals. In accordance with Group practices, Senegal operations’ assets and liabilities were classified 
as held for sale on February 2, 2017. Senegal’s operations also represented a separate geographical area and did 
qualify for discontinued operations. On April 19, 2018, the President of Senegal issued an approval decree in respect 
of the proposed sale by Millicom of its Tigo operation in Senegal to a consortium consisting of NJJ, Sofima (a 

115

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

telecom investment vehicle managed by the Axian Group) and Teylium Group. The sale was completed on April 27, 
2018. (see note E.3.)

Ghana merger

On March 3, 2017, Millicom and Bharti Airtel Limited (Airtel) announced that they had entered into an 
agreement for Tigo Ghana Limited and Airtel Ghana Limited to combine their operations in Ghana. In accordance 
with Group practices, Ghana operations’ assets and liabilities were classified as held for sale on September 30, 2017. 
Ghana’s operations also represented a separate geographical area and did qualify for discontinued operations. As a 
result, the Group statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was restated accordingly to show the 
results on a single line in the statements of income (‘Profit (loss) for the year from discontinued operations, net of 
tax’). The transaction was completed on October 12, 2017 (see note E.3.).

DRC

 On February 8, 2016, Millicom announced that it had signed an agreement for the sale of its businesses in the 

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Orange S.A. (see note E.3.). In accordance with Group practices, DRC 
operations’ assets and liabilities were classified as held for sale on February 8, 2016. DRC’s operations also 
represented a separate geographical area and did qualify for discontinued operations. The sale was completed on 
April 20, 2016.

Other disposals

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, Millicom did not dispose of any other significant 

investments.

A.1.4. Summarized financial information relating to significant subsidiaries with non-controlling interests

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, Millicom’s subsidiaries with material non-controlling interests were the 

Group’s operations in Colombia and Panama (2018 only).

Balance sheet – non-controlling interests

Colombia
Panama
Others
Total

Profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

Colombia
Panama
Others
Total

December 31,

2018

2017

(US$ millions)
161
103
(16)
249

197
—
(11)
185

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)
(13)
—
(4)
(17)

(5)
(8)
(3)
(16)

(55)
—
(3)
(58)

The summarized financial information for material non-controlling interests in our operations in Colombia is 

provided below. This information is based on amounts before inter-company eliminations. Detailed information on 
Cable Onda has been voluntarily omitted here as all details are already disclosed in note A.1.2.

116

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Colombia

Revenue
Total operating expenses
Operating profit
Net (loss) for the year
50% non-controlling interest in net (loss)
Total assets (excluding goodwill)
Total liabilities
Net assets
50% non-controlling interest in net assets
Consolidation adjustments
Total non-controlling interest
Dividends and advances paid to non-controlling interest
Net cash from operating activities
Net cash from (used in) investing activities
Net cash from (used in) financing activities
Exchange impact on cash and cash equivalents, net
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

A.2. Joint ventures

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)
1,739
(647)
106
(25)
(13)
2,193
1,771
422
211
(14)
197
—
331
(209)
(46)
3
80

1,661
(667)
147
(10)
(5)
1,966
1,620
346
173
(12)
161
(2)
348
(270)
(75)
(18)
(15)

1,717
(660)
40
(110)
(55)
2,221
1,776
445
223
(16)
207
(67)
366
(340)
(24)
1
3

Joint ventures are businesses over which Millicom exercises joint control as decisions over the relevant 

activities of each require unanimous consent of shareholders. Millicom determines the existence of joint control by 
reference to joint venture agreements, articles of association, structures and voting protocols of the board of 
directors of those ventures.

At December 31, 2018, the equity accounted net assets of our joint ventures in Guatemala, Honduras and Ghana 

totaled $3,405 million (December 31, 2017: $3,457 million for Guatemala and Honduras only). These net assets do 
not necessarily represent statutory reserves available for distribution as these include consolidation adjustments 
(such as goodwill and identified assets and assumed liabilities recognized as part of the purchase accounting). Out of 
these reserves, $133 million (December 31, 2017: $123 million) represent statutory reserves that are unavailable to 
be distributed to owners of the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2018, Millicom’s joint ventures paid 
$243 million (December 31, 2017: $203 million) as dividends or dividend advances to the Company.

Our main joint ventures are as follows:

117

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Entity
Comunicaciones Celulares S.A(i).
Navega.com S.A.(i)
Telefonica Celular S.A(i).
Navega S.A. de CV(i)
Bharti Airtel Ghana Holdings B.V.

Country

Activity
Guatemala Mobile, MFS
Guatemala
Honduras
Honduras
Netherlands Mobile, MFS

Cable, DTH
Mobile, MFS
Cable

December
31, 2018
% holding
55
55
66.7
66.7
50

December
31, 2017 %
holding

55
55
66.7
66.7
50

(i)  Millicom owns more than 50% of the shares in these entities and has the right to nominate a majority of the directors of each 
of these entities. However, key decisions over the relevant activities must be taken by a supermajority vote. This effectively 
gives either shareholder the ability to veto any decision and therefore neither shareholder has sole control over the entity. 
Therefore, the operations of these joint ventures are accounted for under the equity method.

The carrying values of Millicom’s investments in joint ventures were as follows:

Carrying value of investments in joint ventures at December 31

Honduras operations(i)
Guatemala operations(i)
AirtelTigo Ghana operations
Total

%

2018

2017

66.7
55
50

(US$ millions)
730
2,104
32
2,867

726
2,145
96
2,966

(i) 

Includes all the companies under the Honduras and Guatemala groups.

The table below summarizes the movements for the year in respect of the Group’s joint ventures carrying 

values:

Opening balance at January 1, 2017
Change in scope
Results for the year 2017
Dividends declared during the year
Currency exchange differences
Closing balance at December 31, 2017
Adjustment on adoption of IFRS 15 and IFRS 9 (net of tax)
Capital increase
Results for the year 2018
Dividends declared during the year
Currency exchange differences
Closing balance at December 31, 2018

Guatemala(i)

Honduras (i)

Ghana(ii)

(US$ millions)

2,179
—
126
(168)
7
2,145
18
—
131
(177)
(14)
2,104

766
—
15
(46)
(9)
726
5
3
23
—
(26)
730

—
102
(6)
—
—
96
—
—
(68)
—
3
32

(i)  Share of profit (loss) is recognized under ‘Share of profit in the joint ventures in Guatemala and Honduras’ in the statement 

of income.

(ii)  Share of profit (loss) is recognized under ‘Income (loss) from other joint ventures and associates, net’ in the statement of 

income.

118

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

At December 31, 2018 and 2017 the Group had not incurred obligations, nor made payments on behalf of the 

Guatemala, Honduras or Ghana operations.

A.2.1. Accounting for joint ventures

Joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognized at cost 

(calculated at fair value if it was a subsidiary of the Group before becoming a joint venture). The Group’s 
investments in joint ventures include goodwill (net of any accumulated impairment loss) on acquisition.

The Group’s share of post-acquisition profits or losses of joint ventures is recognized in the consolidated 
statement of income and its share of post-acquisition movements in reserves is recognized in reserves. Cumulative 
post-acquisition movements are adjusted against the carrying amount of the investments. When the Group’s share of 
losses in a joint venture equals or exceeds its interest in the joint venture, including any other unsecured receivables, 
the Group does not recognize further losses, unless the Group has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf 
of the joint ventures.

Gains on transactions between the Group and its joint ventures are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s 
interest in the joint ventures. Losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of 
the asset transferred. Accounting policies of joint ventures have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency 
with the policies adopted by the Group. Dilution gains and losses arising in investments in joint ventures are 
recognized in the statement of income.

After application of the equity method, including recognizing the joint ventures’ losses, the Group applies 
IAS 39 to determine whether it is necessary to recognize any additional impairment loss with respect to its net 
investment in the joint venture.

A.2.2. Material joint ventures – Guatemala, Honduras and Ghana operations

Summarized financial information for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 of the Guatemala 
and Honduras operations is as follows. This information is based on amounts before inter-company eliminations.

119

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Guatemala

Revenue   .......................................................................................................................
Depreciation and amortization.....................................................................................
Operating profit(i)   .....................................................................................................
Financial income (expenses), net.................................................................................
Profit before taxes   ......................................................................................................
Charge for taxes, net ....................................................................................................
Profit for the year   .......................................................................................................
Net profit for the year attributable to Millicom   ......................................................
Dividends and advances paid to Millicom...................................................................
Total non-current assets (excluding goodwill).............................................................
Total non-current liabilities..........................................................................................
Total current assets.......................................................................................................
Total current liabilities .................................................................................................
Cash and cash equivalents ...........................................................................................
Debt and financing – non-current ................................................................................
Net cash from operating activities ...............................................................................
Net cash from (used in) investing activities.................................................................
Net cash from (used in) financing activities ................................................................
Exchange impact on cash and cash equivalents, net....................................................
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   .............................................

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)
1,328
(295)
352
(60)
305
(74)
230
126
162
2,406
1,052
756
220
303
995
498
(171)
(315)
2
14

1,373
(283)
387
(56)
309
(69)
240
131
211
2,280
981
718
221
217
927
545
(173)
(455)
(3)
(86)

1,284
(281)
330
(73)
261
(67)
194
106
77
2,297
1,039
909
211
289
987
438
(174)
(127)
(3)
134

In 2016, operating profit included a provision for impairment of $24 million related to amounts receivable 
(i) 
from video surveillance contracts with the Civil National Police. In 2017, it also includes an additional impairment 
of $10 million (2016: $18 million) on the fixed assets related to the same contracts. 

120

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Honduras

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)

Revenue   .......................................................................................................................
Depreciation and amortization .....................................................................................
Operating profit   ..........................................................................................................
Financial income (expenses), net .................................................................................
Profit before taxes   .......................................................................................................
Charge for taxes, net.....................................................................................................
Profit for the year   .......................................................................................................
Net profit for the year attributable to Millicom   ......................................................
Dividends and advances paid to Millicom ...................................................................
Total non-current assets (excluding goodwill) .............................................................
Total non-current liabilities ..........................................................................................
Total current assets .......................................................................................................
Total current liabilities..................................................................................................
Cash and cash equivalents............................................................................................
Debt and financing – non-current.................................................................................
Debt and financing – current ........................................................................................
Net cash from operating activities................................................................................
Net cash from (used in) investing activities .................................................................
Net cash from (used in) financing activities.................................................................
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   .............................................

586
(133)
91
(29)
52
(19)
34
23
32
506
386
304
226
25
298
85
147
(87)
(50)
9

585
(156)
70
(27)
41
(18)
24
15
40
576
407
208
282
16
308
80
152
(74)
(74)
3

609
(160)
54
(27)
13
—
13
9
66
645
454
259
237
13
339
63
85
(17)
(69)
(1)

Ghana

As mentioned in note A.1.3., in 2017 Millicom and Airtel signed a Combination Agreement, whereby both 
investors decided to combine their respective subsidiaries in Ghana, namely Tigo Ghana Limited and Airtel Ghana 
Limited under an existing company – Bharti Airtel Ghana Holdings B.V. (the ‘JV’ or ‘AirtelTigo Ghana’) both 
Millicom and Airtel each owning 50%. As part of the transaction, the government of Ghana retained an option to 
acquire a 25% stake in the newly combined entity for a period of two years. In the event the government exercises 
its option, Millicom’s stake may reduce to 37.5% or, in certain circumstances, be maintained at 50%. 

On October 12, 2017, both parties announced the completion of the transaction. As consideration received, each 
party owns 50% of the equity capital and voting rights of the JV, and Millicom holds a $40 million loan against Tigo 
Ghana (the “Millicom Note”), which shall rank in priority to all other obligations of the joint venture owed to its 
shareholders. The Millicom Note bears interest and is classified under ‘other non-current assets’ in the statement of 
financial position.

Decisions about the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. Therefore, 
based on IFRS 11, this agreement results in Millicom and Airtel having joint control over the combined entity, which 
is a joint venture. Millicom therefore uses the equity method to account for its investment in the combined entity 
since October 12, 2017.

On the same date, each investor agreed and committed to fund the operations of the JV in accordance with the 
approved business plan on an equal basis and on the same terms. In this regard, both parties have agreed to provide, 
on an equal basis, a committed credit facility in the total aggregate amount of $50 million, with Millicom providing 
a commitment of $25 million and Airtel providing the same. The credit facility remains  undrawn as of December 
31, 2018 and 2017 and would bear interest and would be subordinated to the Millicom Note.

121

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

As a consequence, on October 12, 2017, Millicom deconsolidated its investments in Ghana operations and 
accounted for its investment in the combined entity under the equity method, initially at fair value of $102 million, 
resulting in a net gain on the deconsolidation of these operations amounting to $36 million, including recycling of 
foreign currency exchange losses accumulated in equity of $79 million. The net gain has been recognized under 
‘Profit (loss) for the year from discontinued operations, net of tax’. As of December 31, 2017, the purchase 
accounting was still provisional and was completed in the first six months of 2018. Newly identified assets have 
been recognized by the joint venture resulting in an additional depreciation of $3 million for the period from the 
merger date to December 31, 2017. Comparative figures have not been restated for this depreciation charge given it 
was immaterial for the Group. As a result, this charge was recorded in the 2018 statement of income.

Fair value has been determined using valuation techniques such as discounted cash flows and comparable 
transaction multiples. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 Millicom determined the fair value of the option granted 
to the government to be immaterial.

AirtelTigo Ghana

2018

(US$
millions)

2017 (i)

(US$
millions)

Revenue   ................................................................................................................................
Depreciation and amortization ..............................................................................................
Operating loss   ......................................................................................................................
Financial income (expenses), net ..........................................................................................
Loss before taxes   .................................................................................................................
Charge for taxes, net .............................................................................................................
Loss for the period   ..............................................................................................................
Net loss for the period attributable to Millicom   ...............................................................
Dividends and advances paid to Millicom ............................................................................
Total non-current assets (excluding goodwill)......................................................................
Total non-current liabilities...................................................................................................
Total current assets................................................................................................................
Total current liabilities ..........................................................................................................
Cash and cash equivalents.....................................................................................................
Debt and financing – non-current .........................................................................................
Debt and financing – current.................................................................................................
Net cash from operating activities ........................................................................................
Net cash from (used in) investing activities..........................................................................
Net cash from (used in) financing activities .........................................................................
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   .........................................................................

187
(110)
(100)
(42)
(135)
—
(135)
(68)
—
277
277
71
134
19
276
17
(19)
(8)
42
15

58
(11)
(1)
(10)
(12)
—
(12)
(6)
—
184
214
60
106
15
145
—
13
—
(3)
10

(i)  From the date of merger (October 12, 2017) to December 31, 2017, for statement of income and cash flow 

metrics.

A.2.3. Impairment of investment in joint ventures

While no impairment triggers were identified for the Group’s investments in joint ventures in 2018, according 

to its policy, management have completed an impairment test for its joint ventures in Guatemala, Honduras and 
Ghana.

The Group’s investments in Guatemala, Honduras and Ghana operations were tested for impairment by 
assessing their recoverable amount (using a value in use model based on discounted cash flows) against their 
carrying amounts. The cash flow projections used were extracted from financial budgets approved by management 

122

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

and the Board covering a period of five years. In respect of Guatemala and Honduras, cash flows beyond this period 
have been extrapolated using a perpetual growth rate of 3.2%–3.0% (2017: 3.1%–3.2%). Discount rates used in 
determining recoverable amounts were 11.0% and 10.3%, respectively (2017: 9.3% and 10.2%). For Ghana, 
management used a perpetual growth rate of 3.8% and a discount rate of 14.4%.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, and as a result of the impairment testing described above, management 

concluded that none of the Group’s investments in joint ventures should be impaired.

Sensitivity analysis was performed on key assumptions within the impairment tests. The sensitivity analysis 
determined that sufficient margin exists from realistic changes to the assumptions that would not impact the overall 
results of the testing. 

A.3. Investments in associates

Millicom’s investments in associates mainly represent its shareholding in Helios Towers Africa Ltd (HTA) and 

its investments in the African online business (AIH). Millicom has significant influence over these companies 
through its voting rights but not control or joint control.

The Group’s main associates are as follows:

Entity
Africa
Helios Towers Africa Ltd (HTA) ..................... Mauritius

Country

Africa Internet Holding GmbH (AIH) ............. Germany

December
31, 2018

December
31, 2017

Activity(ies)

% holding

% holding

Holding of Tower
infrastructure company

Online marketplace,
retail and services

22.83

22.83

10.15

10.15

9.1

9.1

West Indian Ocean Cable Company

Limited (WIOCC) ........................................

Republic of
Mauritius

Telecommunication
carriers’ carrier

Latin America
MKC Brilliant Holding GmbH (LIH).............. Germany

Online marketplace,
retail and services

35.0

35.0

Unallocated
Milvik AB ........................................................ Sweden

Other

12.3

12.3

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the carrying value of Millicom’s main associates was as follows:

Carrying value of investments in associates at December 31

MKC Brilliant Holding GmbH (LIH) ...............................................................................
African Internet Holding GmbH (AIH) ............................................................................
Helios Tower Africa Ltd (HTA)........................................................................................
Milvik AB .........................................................................................................................
West Indian Ocean Cable Company Limited (WIOCC)...................................................
Total ..................................................................................................................................

—
38
105
13
14
169

—
61
149
16
14
241

2018

2017

(US$ millions)

123

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

The summarized financial information for the Group’s main material associates (i.e. HTA and AIH) is provided 

below.

Summary of statement of financial position of associates at December 31, 

Total current assets............................................................................................................
Total non-current assets.....................................................................................................
Total assets .......................................................................................................................
Total current liabilities ......................................................................................................
Total non-current liabilities...............................................................................................
Total liabilities .................................................................................................................
Total net assets.................................................................................................................
Millicom’s carrying value of its investment in HTA and AIH ..........................................
Millicom’s carrying value of its investment in other associates .......................................
Millicom’s carrying value of its investment in associates ................................................

Profit (loss) from other joint ventures and associates

2018

2017

(US$ millions)
473
717
1,190
343
627
969
221
142
27
169

409
766
1,176
268
602
870
306
211
30
241

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)

Revenue .....................................................................................................
Operating expenses....................................................................................
Operating profit (loss) ...............................................................................
Net loss for the year...................................................................................
Millicom’s share of results from HTA and AIH ........................................
Millicom’s share of results from other associates .....................................
Millicom’s share of results from other joint ventures (Ghana) .................
Millicom’s share of results from other joint ventures and

associates...............................................................................................

511
(459)
(214)
(327)
(66)
(2)
(68)

(136)

449
(321)
(148)
(220)
(34)
(45)
(6)

(85)

378
(302)
(167)
(228)
(39)
(10)
—

(49)

A.3.1. Accounting for investments in associates

The Group accounts for associates in the same way as it accounts for joint ventures.

A.3.2. Acquisitions and disposals of interests in associates

Africa Internet Holding GmbH (AIH)

AIH indirectly owns a number of companies that provide online services and online marketplaces in certain countries 

in Africa mainly under the brand name of Jumia.

Early January 2019, Millicom has been further diluted in the capital of AIH following the entry of a new 
investor. This triggered the recognition of a net dilution gain of $7 million in January 2019. In addition, on January 31, 
2019, some changes in the company's governance became effective and Millicom relinquished its seat on the board of 
directors, which resulted in the loss of the Group's significant influence over AIH. As a result, as from January 31, 
2019, Millicom will stop equity accounting for its investment in AIH and start measuring it at fair value. This change 
in accounting is expected to trigger the recognition of a gain at initial measurement.

124

 
Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Other various shareholder funding rounds were signed in 2016 whereby Millicom's interest was diluted.  At that 
time, Millicom’s shareholding in AIH was reduced to 10%. This triggered the recognition of a net dilution gain of $43 
million in the 2016 Group statement of income under 'Income (loss) from associates, net'.

Millicom investment in African towers company, Helios Towers Africa

Helios Towers Africa owns and operates telecommunications towers and passive infrastructure in four African 
markets. The company's principal business lies in building, acquiring and operating telecommunications towers that 
are capable of accommodating and powering the needs of multiple tenants.

During 2016, Millicom’s shareholding was diluted from 28.2% to 22.8% as a result of previous committed cash 
calls and new investors’ funding. This resulted in Millicom recognizing a gain on dilution of $16 million. The gain was 
recorded in the 2016 Group statement of income under 'Income (loss) from other joint ventures and associates, net'.

MKC Brilliant Holding GmbH (LIH)

During 2016, Millicom’s 35% investment in LIH had been impaired by $40 million mainly as a result of the 

decrease in fair value of LIH’s investment in the Global Fashion Group.

In April 2017, LIH completed the disposal of its shareholding in Easy Taxi to Cabify. As a result, and ultimately, 
LIH  received  cash  and  shares  in  Cabify.  The  transaction  resulted  in  Millicom  recognizing  a  loss  of  $11  million 
(Millicom’s share). Additionally, as a result of the annual impairment test conducted in 2017, Management fully impaired 
the remaining carrying value of its investment in LIH for $48 million. The impairment test performed in 2018 confirmed 
this conclusion. These losses were recorded under the caption 'Income (loss) from other joint ventures and associates, 
net' in the year ended December 31, 2017. 

Milvik AB (BIMA)

On December 19, 2017, Millicom announced that it had sold a portion of its ownership stake in BIMA - a leading 
emerging market insurance player - (from 20.4% to 12.0% – on a fully diluted basis) to Kinnevik and a new investor, 
with the latter contributing $97 million in the micro-insurance business. As a result of the transaction, Millicom received 
$24 million in cash and recognized a gain on disposal of $21 million. In addition, and as a consequence of the subsequent 
capital increase made by the new investor, the Group recognized a gain on dilution of $11 million. Both gains have 
been recorded under the caption "Income (loss) from other joint ventures and associates, net", in the statement of 
income. Both transactions were carried out at the same fair value on an arm’s length basis.

A.4. Discontinued operations

A.4.1. Classification of discontinued operations

Discontinued operations are those which have identifiable operations and cash flows (for both operating and 
management purposes) and represent a major line of business or geographic area which has been disposed of, or are 
held for sale. Revenue and expenses associated with discontinued operations are presented retrospectively in a 
separate line in the consolidated statement of income. Millicom determined that the loss of path to control of 
operations by the termination of a contractual arrangement (e.g. termination without exercise of an unconditional 
call option agreement giving path to control, as occurred with the Guatemala and Honduras operations) does not 
require presentation as a discontinued operation.

125

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

A.4.2. Millicom’s discontinued operations

In accordance with IFRS 5, the Group’s businesses in Senegal, Tigo Ghana and Tigo Rwanda have been 
classified as assets held for sale (respectively on February 2, 2017, September 28, 2017 and January 23, 2018) and 
their results were showed as discontinued operations for all years presented in these financial statements. The 
statement of income comparative figures presented in the notes to these consolidated financial statements have 
therefore been restated accordingly and when necessary. For further details, refer to note E.3.

B. Performance

B.1. Revenue

Millicom’s revenue comprises sale of services from its mobile business (including Mobile Financial Services - 

MFS) and its cable and other fixed services, as well as related devices and equipment. Recurring revenue consists of 
monthly subscription fees, airtime and data usage fees, interconnection fees, roaming fees, TV services, B2B 
contracts, MFS commissions and fees from other telecommunications services such as data services, short message 
services and other value added services.

Revenue from continuing operations by category

Mobile ........................................................................................................
Cable and other fixed services ...................................................................
Other ..........................................................................................................
Service revenue.........................................................................................
Telephone and equipment and other ..........................................................
Total revenue ............................................................................................

Revenue from continuing operations by country or operation

2016

2018

2017
(US$ millions)
2,281
1,553
41
3,876
200
4,076

2,248
1,568
46
3,861
213
4,074

2,343
1,437
39
3,820
223
4,043

Colombia ...................................................................................................
Paraguay ....................................................................................................
Bolivia .......................................................................................................
El Salvador ................................................................................................
Tanzania (excluding Zantel) ......................................................................
Chad...........................................................................................................
Costa Rica..................................................................................................
Panama ......................................................................................................
Other operations ........................................................................................
Total ..........................................................................................................

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)
1,739
662
555
422
348
140
153
—
57
4,076

1,661
679
614
405
356
128
155
17
60
4,074

1,717
623
542
425
347
166
152
—
71
4,043

126

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

B.1.1. Accounting for revenue

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in 

exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer.

Post-paid connection fees are derived from the payment of a non-refundable / one-time fee charged to customer 
to connect to the network (e.g. connection / installation fee). Usually, it does not represent a distinct good or service, 
and therefore does not give rise to a separate performance obligation and revenue is recognized over the minimum 
contract duration. However, if the fee is paid by a customer to get the right to receive goods or services without 
having to pay this fee again over his tenure with the Group (e.g. the customer can readily extend his contract without 
having to pay the same fee again), it is accounted for as a material right and revenue should be recognized over the 
customer retention period.

Post-paid mobile / cable subscription fees are recognized over the relevant enforceable/subscribed service 
period (recurring monthly access fees that do not vary based on usage). The service provision is usually considered 
as a series of distinct services that have the same pattern of transfer to the customer. Remaining unrecognized 
subscription fees, which are not refunded to the customers, are fully recognized once the customer has been 
disconnected.

Prepaid scratch / SIM cards are services where customers purchase a specified amount of airtime or other credit 

in advance. Revenue is recognized as the credit is used. Unused credit is carried in the statement of financial 
position as a contract liability. Upon expiration of the validity period, the portion of the contract liability relating to 
the expiring credit is recognized as revenue, since there is no longer an obligation to provide those services.

Telephone and equipment sales are recognized as revenue once the customer obtains control of the good. That 
criteria is fulfilled when the customer has the ability to direct the use and obtain substantially all of the remaining 
benefits from that good.

Revenue from provision of Mobile Financial Services (MFS) is recognized once the primary service has been 

provided to the customer.

Customer premise equipment (CPE) are provided to customers as a prerequisite to receive the subscribed Home 
services and shall be returned at the end of the contract duration. Since CPEs provided over the contract term do not 
provide benefit to the customer on their own, they do not give rise to separate performance obligations and therefore 
are accounted for as part of the service provided to the customers.

Bundled offers are considered arrangements with multiple deliverables or elements, which can lead to the 
identification of separate performance obligations. Revenue is recognized in accordance with the transfer of goods 
or services to customers in an amount that reflects the relative standalone selling price of the performance obligation 
(e.g. sale of telecom services, revenue over time + sale of handset, revenue at a point in time).

Principal-Agent, some arrangements involve two or more unrelated parties that contribute to providing a 

specified good or service to a customer. In these instances, the Group determines whether it has promised to provide 
the specified good or service itself (as a principal) or to arrange for those specified goods or services to be provided 
by another party (as an agent). For example, performance obligations relating to services provided by third-party 
content providers (i.e., mobile Value Added Services or “VAS”) or service providers (i.e., wholesale international 
traffic) where the Group neither controls a right to the provider’s service nor controls the underlying service itself 
are presented net because the Group is acting as an agent. The Group generally acts as a principal for other types of 
services where the Group is the primary obligor of the arrangement. In cases the Group determines that it acts as a 
principal, revenue is recognized in the gross amount, whereas in cases the Group acts as an agent revenue is 
recognized in the net amount.

127

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Revenue from the sale of cables, fiber, wavelength or capacity contracts, when part of the ordinary activities of 

the operation, is recognized as recurring revenue. Revenue is recognized when the cable, fiber, wavelength or 
capacity has been delivered to the customer, based on the amount expected to be received from the customer.

Revenue from operating lease of tower space is recognized over the period of the underlying lease contracts. 

Finance leases revenue is apportioned between lease of tower space and interest income.

B.2. Expenses

The cost of sales and operating expenses incurred by the Group can be summarized as follows:

Cost of sales

Direct costs of services sold ......................................................................
Cost of telephone, equipment and other accessories .................................
Bad debt and obsolescence costs...............................................................
Cost of sales ..............................................................................................

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)
(829)
(230)
(87)
(1,146)

(913)
(219)
(72)
(1,205)

(857)
(254)
(63)
(1,175)

Operating expenses, net

Marketing expenses ...................................................................................
Site and network maintenance costs..........................................................
Employee related costs (B.4.)....................................................................
External and other services........................................................................
Rentals and operating leases......................................................................
Other operating expenses ..........................................................................
Operating expenses, net ..........................................................................

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)
(404)
(209)
(514)
(185)
(155)
(207)
(1,674)

(463)
(176)
(451)
(152)
(155)
(197)
(1,593)

(442)
(160)
(451)
(218)
(159)
(196)
(1,627)

The other operating income and expenses incurred by the Group can be summarized as follows:

Other operating income (expenses), net

Notes

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)

Income from tower deal transactions
Impairment of intangible assets and property, plant and

equipment .......................................................................

C.3.4.

E.1., E.2.

Gain (loss) on disposals of intangible assets and

property, plant and equipment........................................
Other income (expenses)....................................................
Other operating income (expenses), net.........................

65

(6)

8
9
76

63

(12)

1
16
68

—

(6)

(8)
—
(14)

128

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

B.2.1. Accounting for cost of sales and operating expenses

Cost of sales

Cost of sales is recorded on an accrual basis.

Customer acquisition costs

Specific customer acquisition costs, including dealer commissions and handset subsidies, are charged to 

marketing expenses when the customer is activated.

Operating leases

Operating leases are all leases that do not qualify as finance leases. Operating lease payments are recognized as 

expenses in the consolidated statement of income on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

B.3. Segmental information

Management determines operating and reportable segments based on information used by the chief operating 
decision maker (CODM) to make strategic and operational decisions from both a business and geographic 
perspective. The Group’s risks and rates of return are predominantly affected by operating in different geographical 
regions. The Group has businesses in two main regions: Latin America ("Latam") and Africa. The Latam figures 
below include Honduras and Guatemala as if they are fully consolidated by the Group, as this reflects the way 
management reviews and uses internally reported information to make decisions. Honduras and Guatemala are 
shown under the Latam segment. The joint venture in Ghana is not reported as if fully consolidated. As from 
January 1, 2018, segment EBITDA includes inter-company management fees and incentive compensation paid to 
local management teams.  These items, were previously included in unallocated corporate costs. This change in 
presentation has no impact on Group EBITDA. Accordingly, 2017 and 2016 have been represented. Revenue, 
operating profit (loss), EBITDA and other segment information for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 
2016, were as follows:

129

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Latin
America

Africa (vii)

Unallocated

Guatemala
and
Honduras(vii)

Eliminations
and
Transfers

Total

(US$ millions)

Year ended December 31, 2018
Mobile revenue .................................
Cable and other fixed services

revenue ..........................................
Other revenue ....................................
Service revenue (i) ............................
Telephone and equipment and

other revenue .................................
Revenue ............................................
Operating profit (loss).....................
Add back:
Depreciation and amortization ..........

Share of profit in joint ventures in

Guatemala and Honduras ..............

Other operating income

(expenses), net ...............................
EBITDA(ii) ......................................
EBITDA from discontinued

operations ......................................

EBITDA incl. discontinued

operations .....................................
Capex(iii) ..........................................
Changes in working capital and

others(iv)........................................
Taxes paid..........................................
Operating Free Cash Flow(v).........
Total Assets(vi).................................
Total Liabilities................................

3,214

1,808

48

5,069

415
5,485
995

1,133

—

(51)
2,077

—

2,077

(872)

(42)

(264)
899
11,754
6,132

510

12

3

526

1
526
40

107

—

(3)
143

3

146

(59)

28

(24)
91
839
905

—

—

—

—

—
—
(47)

5

—

(2)
(44)

—

(44)
(2)

13
(6)
(39)
2,752
2,953

(1,475)

(253)
(6)
(1,734)

(203)
(1,937)
(488)

(416)

—

—

—

—

—
—
154

2,248

1,568

46

3,861

213
4,074
655

830

—

(154)

(154)

(19)
(922)

—

(922)
225

(12)
142
(568)
(5,219)
(1,814)

—
—

—

—

—

—

—
—
190
(650)

(76)
1,254

3

1,257
(708)

(13)
(153)
383
10,316
7,526

130

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Latin
America

Africa (vii)

Unallocated

Guatemala
and
Honduras(vii)

Eliminations
and
Transfers

Total

(US$ millions)

Year ended December 31, 2017 (viii)
Mobile revenue ..........................................

Cable and other fixed services revenue .....
Other revenue.............................................
Service revenue (i) .....................................
Telephone and equipment and other

revenue ...................................................
Revenue.....................................................
Operating profit (loss) .............................
Add back:
Depreciation and amortization...................

3,283

1,755

40

5,078

363

5,441

899

1,174

Share of profit in joint ventures in

Guatemala and Honduras .......................

—

Other operating income (expenses), net.....
EBITDA(ii) ...............................................

EBITDA from discontinued operations .....
EBITDA incl. discontinued

operations..............................................
Capex(iii) ...................................................
Changes in working capital and

others(iv) ................................................
Taxes paid ..................................................
Operating Free Cash Flow(v) .................
Total Assets(vi)..........................................
Total liabilities ..........................................

(49)

2,024

—

2,024

(855)

(53)

(239)

877

509

12

5

524

2

526

41

110

—

(11)
140

73

213
(99)

(6)
(18)
90

—

—

—

—

—

—
(5)

6

—

10

11

—

11
(1)

(10)
1

1

598

1,465

(1,510)

(213)
(4)
(1,727)

(165)
(1,892)
(431)

—

—

—

—

—

—

140

2,281

1,553

41

3,876

200

4,076

645

(450)

—

841

—

(140)

(140)

(18)
(899)

—

(899)
237

27

124
(511)
(5,420)
(1,961)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2,393
(478)

(68)
1,278

73

1,351
(718)

(42)
(132)
459

9,464

6,183

10,411

5,484

1,482

1,673

131

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Latin
America

Africa

Unallocated

Guatemala
and
Honduras(vii)

Eliminations
and
Transfers

Total

(US$ millions)

Year ended December 31, 2016 (viii)
Mobile revenue..........................................
Cable and other fixed services revenue .....
Other revenue ............................................
Service revenue (i).....................................
Telephone and equipment and other

revenue...................................................
Revenue ....................................................
Operating profit (loss) .............................
Add back:
Depreciation and amortization ..................
Share of profit in joint ventures in

Guatemala and Honduras.......................
Other operating income (expenses), net ....
EBITDA(ii)...............................................
EBITDA from discontinued operations.....
EBITDA incl. discontinued

operations..............................................
Capex(iii)...................................................
Changes in working capital and

others(iv) ................................................
Taxes paid ..................................................
Operating Free Cash Flow(v) .................
Total Assets(vi) .........................................
Total liabilities..........................................

3,318

1,611

37

4,966

386

5,352

721

1,173

—

42

1,935

—

1,935

(886)

37

(233)

853

10,386

5,229

541

15

6

562

2

565

43

113

—

2

158

77

235
(161)

(2)
(33)
39

1,406

1,852

—

—

—

—

—

—

4

7

—
(6)
5

—

5
(6)

(33)
(9)
(43)
1,357

1,997

(1,514)
(191)
(4)
(1,709)

(165)
(1,875)
(394)

(441)

—
(24)
(859)
—

(859)
242

24

145
(448)
(5,589)
(1,942)

—

—

—

—

—

—
(115)

2,343

1,437

39

3,820

223

4,043

490

—

853

(115)
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2,067
(877)

(115)
14

1,241

77

1,319
(811)

26
(130)
404

9,627

6,258

(i)  Service revenue is Group revenue related to the provision of ongoing services such as monthly subscription fees, airtime and 
data usage fees, interconnection fees, roaming fees, mobile finance service commissions and fees from other telecommunications 
services such as data services, SMS and other value-added services excluding telephone and equipment sales. Revenues from 
other sources comprises rental, sub-lease rental income and other non recurrent revenues. The Group derives revenue  from 
the transfer of goods and services over time and at a point in time. Refer to the table below.

(ii)  EBITDA is operating profit excluding impairment losses, depreciation and amortization and gains/losses on the disposal of 

fixed assets. EBITDA is used by the management to monitor the segmental performance and for capital management.

(iii)  Cash spent for capex excluding spectrum and licenses of $61 million (2017: $53 million; 2016: $39 million) and cash received 

on tower deals of $141 million (2017: $167 million; 2016: nil).

(iv)  Changes in working capital and others include changes in working capital as stated in the cash flow statement, as well as share-

based payments expense and non-cash bonuses.

(v)  Operating Free Cash Flow is EBITDA less capex (excluding spectrum and license costs) less change in working capital, other 

non-cash items (share-based payment expense and non-cash bonuses) and taxes paid.

(vi)  Segment assets include goodwill and other intangible assets.

(vii) Including eliminations for Guatemala and Honduras as reported in the Latam segment.

(viii) Restated as a result of classification of certain of our African operations as discontinued operations (see notes A.4. and E.3.).

132

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Revenue from contracts with customers from continuing operations:

Year ended December 31, 2018

$ millions

Mobile

Timing of
revenue
recognition

Over time

Mobile Financial Services

Point in time

Cable and other fixed services

Over time

Other
Service Revenue

Telephone and equipment
Revenue from contracts with
customers

Over time

Point in time

Latin
America

Africa

Total Group

1,701

37

1,556

42
3,336

212

3,548

401

109

12

3
526

1

526

2,102

147

1,568

46
3,861

213

4,074

B.4. People

Number of permanent employees

Continuing operations(i)............................................................................
Joint ventures (Guatemala, Honduras and Ghana – for 2018 and

2017) ......................................................................................................
Discontinued operations ............................................................................
Total ..........................................................................................................

2018
16,987

2017
14,404

2016
13,211

4,416
—
21,403

4,326
397
19,127

4,023
751
17,985

(i)  Emtelco headcount are excluded from this report and any internal reporting because their costs are classified as direct costs 

and not employee related costs.

Notes

2018

2017

2016

Wages and salaries .............................................................
Social security....................................................................
Share based compensation .................................................
Pension and other long-term benefit costs .........................
Other employee related costs .............................................
Total...................................................................................

B.4.1.
B.4.2.

(US$ millions)
(356)
(61)
(21)
(7)
(70)
(514)

(320)
(57)
(22)
(8)
(45)
(451)

(290)
(67)
(14)
(6)
(74)
(451)

B.4.1. Share-based compensation

Millicom shares granted to management and key employees includes share-based compensation in the form of 
long-term share incentive plans. Up until 2015, Millicom had two types of annual plan, a future performance plan 
and a deferred share plan. In 2015, Millicom issued four different types of plans; a deferred share plan, a 
performance share plan, an executive share plan and the sign-on CEO share plan (a one-off plan). Since 2016, 
Millicom has two types of annual plans, a performance share plan and a deferred share plan. The different plans are 
further detailed below.

133

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Cost of share based compensation

2014 incentive plans
2015 incentive plans
2016 incentive plans
2017 incentive plans
2018 incentive plans
Total share-based compensation

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)

—
—
(4)
(8)
(11)
(21)

—
(3)
(6)
(12)
—
(22)

(1)
(3)
(10)
—
—
(14)

Deferred share plan (unchanged since 2014)

For the deferred awards plan, participants are granted shares based on past performance, with 16.5% of the 
shares vesting on January 1 of each of year one and two, and the remaining 67% on 1 January of year three. Vesting 
is conditional upon the participant remaining employed with Millicom at each vesting date. The cost of this long-
term incentive plan, which is not conditional on performance conditions, is calculated as follows:

Fair value (share price) of Millicom’s shares at grant date x number of shares expected to vest.

Sign-on CEO share plan (issued in 2015 – one off)

As part of his employment contract Millicom CEO (from April 1, 2015) received a sign-on grant of 77,344 
shares. Vesting is conditional, among other conditions, on the CEO not being dismissed for cause. The cost of this 
long-term incentive plan, which is not conditional on market conditions, is calculated in the same way as the 
deferred share plan above. The expense for this plan has been taken in full during 2015.

Performance share plan (issued in 2015)

Under this plan, shares granted did vest in full in 2018, subject to performance conditions, 62.5% based on 
Absolute Total Shareholder Return (TSR) and 37.5% based on actual vs budgeted EBITDA minus CAPEX minus 
Change in Working Capital (Free Cash Flow). As the TSR measure is a market condition, the fair value of the shares 
in the performance share plan requires consideration of potential adjustments for future market-based conditions at 
grant date.

For this, a specific valuation had been performed at grant date based on the probability of the TSR conditions 

being met (and to which extent) and the expected payout based upon leaving conditions.

The Free Cash Flows (FCF) condition is a non-market measure which had been considered together with the 

leaving estimate and based initially on a 100% fulfillment expectation. The reference share price for 2015 
performance share plan is the same share price as the share price for the deferred share plan. 

Executive share plan (issued in 2015 – one off)

Under this plan, shares were granted to the CEO and CFO based on an allocated holding of 3,333 (CEO) and 
2,000 (CFO) shares for which vesting occurs based on three components at multipliers based on market conditions 
(a TSR for component A and B) and performance conditions (on actual vs budgeted FCF for component C). The 
maximum number of shares that could vest under the plan was 26,664 (CEO) and 14,000 (CFO). The plan vested in 
2018 at the end of a three-year period.

Similarly to the performance share plan, a specific valuation had been performed based on the probability of the 

TSR conditions being met (and to which extent) and the expected payout based upon leaving conditions. The FCF 
condition being a non-market measure, it had been considered together with the leaving estimate and based initially 

134

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

on a 100% fulfillment expectation. Therefore, the reference share price is the share price on the date that the CEO 
and the CFO agreed to the executive share plan.

Performance share plan (for plans issued in 2016 and 2017)

Shares granted under this performance share plan vest at the end of the three-year period, subject to 

performance conditions, 25% based on Positive Absolute Total Shareholder Return (Absolute TSR), 25% based on 
Relative Total Shareholder Return (Relative TSR) and 50% based on budgeted Earnings Before Interest Tax 
Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) minus Capital Expenditure (Capex) minus Change in Working Capital 
(CWC) (Free Cash Flow).

This performance share plan is measured similarly to the performance share plan issued in 2015, see above.

Performance share plan (for plan issued in 2018)

Shares granted under this performance share plan vest at the end of the three-year period, subject to 
performance conditions, 25% based on Relative Total Shareholder Return (“Relative TSR”), 25% based on the 
achievement of the Service Revenue target measured on a 3-year CAGRs from years 2018 to 2020 (“Service 
Revenue”) and 50% based on the achievement of the Operating Free Cash Flow (“Operating Free Cash Flow”) 
target measured on a 3-year CAGRs from years 2018 to 2020. 

For the performance share plans and the executive share plan, and in order to calculate the fair value of the TSR 

portion of those plans, it is necessary to make a number of assumptions which are set out below. The assumptions 
have been set based on an analysis of historical data as at grant date.

Assumptions and fair value of the shares under the TSR portion

Risk-free
rate %

Dividend
yield %

Share price
volatility(i)
%

Award term
(years)

Share fair
value (in US
$)

Performance share plan 2018 (Relative TSR) ....
Performance share plan 2017 (Relative TSR) ....
Performance share plan 2017 (Absolute TSR) ...
Performance share plan 2016 (Relative TSR) ....
Performance share plan 2016 (Absolute TSR) ...
Performance share plan 2015 (Absolute TSR) ...
Executive share plan 2015 – Component A........
Executive share plan 2015 – Component B........

(0.39)

(0.40)

(0.40)

(0.65)

(0.65)

(0.32)

(0.32)

(0.32)

3.21

3.80

3.80

3.49

3.49

2.78

N/A

N/A

30.27

22.50

22.50

30.00

30.00

23.00

23.00

23.00

(i)  Historical volatility retained was determined on the basis of a three-year historic average.

2.93

2.92

2.92

2.61

2.61

2.57

2.57

2.57

57.70

27.06

29.16

43.35

45.94

32.87

53.74

29.53

The cost of the long-term incentive plans which are conditional on market conditions is calculated as follows:

Fair value (market value) of shares at grant date (as calculated above) x number of shares expected to vest.

The cost of these plans is recognized, together with a corresponding increase in equity (share compensation 
reserve), over the period in which the performance and/or employment conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date on 
which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award. Adjustments are made to the expense recorded for 
forfeitures, mainly due to management and employees leaving Millicom. Non-market performance conditions are 
not taken into account when determining the grant date fair value of awards, but the likelihood of the conditions 
being met is assessed as part of the Group’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately 
vest.

No expense is recognized for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional 

upon a market condition. These are treated as vested, regardless of whether or not the market conditions are 
satisfied, provided that all other performance conditions are satisfied. Where the terms of an equity-settled award are 

135

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

modified, as a minimum an expense is recognized as if the terms had not been modified. In addition, an expense is 
recognized for any modification that increases the total fair value of the share based payment arrangement, or is 
otherwise beneficial to the employee as measured at the date of modification.

Plan awards and shares expected to vest

2018 plans

2017 plans

2016 plans

2015 plans

Performa
nce plan

Deferred
plan

Performa
nce plan

Deferred
plan

Performa
nce plan

Deferred
plan

Performa
nce plan

Executive
plan

CEO plan

Deferred
plan

(number of shares)

Initial shares granted

237,196

262,317

279,807

438,505

200,617

287,316

98,137

40,664

77,344

237,620

Additional shares
granted(i)

Revision for
forfeitures

Revision for

cancellations

Total before
issuances

Shares issued in

2016

Shares issued in

2017

Shares issued in

2018

Performance
conditions

Shares still expected

to vest

Estimated cost over

the vesting period
(US$ millions)

—

3,290

2,868

29,406

—

—

—

(13,531)

(18,086)

(34,556)

(74,325)

(49,164)

(77,924)

(37,452)

(4,728)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

3,537

—

—

—

(68,121)

—

218,927

247,521

248,119

393,586

151,453

209,392

60,685

40,664

80,881

169,499

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1,214)

(1,733)

(771)

(2,686)

(752)

(43,579)

(357)

—

—

(25,781)

(38,745)

(28,139)

(30,124)

(97)

(18,747)

(2,724)

(99,399)

(2,050)

(46,039)

(27,619)

(19,022)

(26,961)

(100,630)

—

—

—

—

—

—

(31,938)

(21,642)

218,830

228,774

245,395

291,501

147,437

118,041

12

14

9

20

8

12

—

4

—

2

—

—

6

—

—

12

(i)  Additional shares granted represent grants made for new joiners and/or as per CEO contractual arrangements.

B.4.2. Pension and other long-term employee benefit plans

Pension plans

The pension plans apply to employees who meet certain criteria (including years of service, age and 

participation in collective agreements).

Pension and other similar employee related obligations can result from either defined contribution plans or 
defined benefit plans. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions 
into a separate entity. No further payment obligations exist once the contributions have been paid. The contributions 
are recognized as employee benefit expenses when they are due. Prepaid contributions are recognized as assets to 
the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in future payments is available.

Defined benefit pension plans define an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, 
usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and compensation. The liability recognized in 
the statement of financial position in respect of the defined benefit pension plan is the present value of the defined 
benefit obligation at the statement of financial position date less the fair value of plan assets, together with 
adjustments for unrecognized actuarial gains or losses and past service costs. The defined benefit obligation is 
calculated annually by independent actuaries. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by 
discounting the estimated future cash outflows, using an appropriate discount rate based on maturities of the related 
pension liability.

Re-measurement of net defined benefit liabilities are recognized in other comprehensive income and not 

reclassified to the statement of income in subsequent years.

Past service costs are recognized in the statement of income on the earlier of the date of the plan amendment or 

curtailment, and the date that the Group recognizes related restructuring costs.

136

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Net interest is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net defined benefit asset/liability.

Long-service plans

Long-service plans apply for Colombian subsidiary UNE employees with more than five years of service 

whereby additional bonuses are paid to employees that reach each incremental length of service milestone (from five 
to 40 years).

Termination plans

In addition, UNE has a number of employee defined benefit plans. The level of benefits provided under the 
plans depends on collective employment agreements and Colombian labor regulations. There are no defined assets 
related to the plans, and UNE make payments to settle obligations under the plans out of available cash balances.

At December 31, 2018, the defined benefit obligation liability amounted to $60 million (2017: $66 million) and 

payments expected in the plans in future years totals $111 million (2017: $87 million). The average duration of the 
defined benefit obligation at December 31, 2018 is 7 years (2017: 7 years). The termination plans apply to 
employees that joined UNE prior to December 30, 1996. The level of payments depends on the number of years in 
which the employee has worked before retirement or termination of their contract with UNE.

Except for the UNE pension plan described above, there are no other significant defined benefits plans in the 

Group.

B.4.3. Directors and executive management

The remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors comprises an annual fee and shares. Director 
remuneration is proposed by the Nomination Committee and approved by the shareholders at their Annual General 
Meeting (AGM).

Remuneration charge for the Board (gross of withholding tax)

Chairperson................................................................................................
Other members of the Board .....................................................................
Total (i)......................................................................................................

169
774
943

233
889
1,122

243
900
1,143

2018

2017

(US$ ’000)

2016

(i)  Cash compensation converted from SEK to USD at exchange rates on payment dates each year. Share based compensation 

based on the market value of Millicom shares on the corresponding AGM date (2018: in total 6,591 shares; 2017: in total 
8,731 shares; 2016: in total 8,002 shares). Net remuneration comprised 51% in shares and 49% in cash (SEK) (2017: 52% in 
shares and 48% in cash; 2016: 50% in shares and 50% in cash).

Shares beneficially owned by the Directors

Chairperson .......................................................................................................................
Other members of the Board .............................................................................................
Total ..................................................................................................................................

2018

2017

(number of shares)
8,554
15,333
23,887

7,000
20,067
27,067

The remuneration of executive management of Millicom comprises an annual base salary, an annual bonus, 
share based compensation, social security contributions, pension contributions and other benefits. Bonus and share 
based compensation plans (see note B.4.1.) are based on actual and future performance. Share based compensation 
is granted once a year by the Compensation Committee of the Board.

137

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

If the employment of Millicom’s senior executives is terminated, severance of up to 12 months’ salary is 

potentially payable.

The annual base salary and other benefits of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Executive Vice 

Presidents (Executive team) are proposed by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board.

Remuneration charge for the Executive Team

2018
Base salary.................................................................................................
Bonus.........................................................................................................
Pension ......................................................................................................
Other benefits ............................................................................................
Termination benefits..................................................................................
Total before share based compensation .................................................
Share based compensation(i)(ii) in respect of 2018 LTIP .........................
Total ..........................................................................................................

Remuneration charge for the Executive Team

2017
Base salary.................................................................................................
Bonus.........................................................................................................
Pension ......................................................................................................
Other benefits ............................................................................................
Total before share based compensation .................................................
Share based compensation(i)(ii) in respect of 2017 LTIP .........................
Total ..........................................................................................................

CEO

CFO

(US$ ’000)

Executive
Team (9
members)(iii)

1,112
1,492
247
66
—
2,918
5,027
7,945

673
557
101
63
—
1,393
1,567
2,960

3,930
2,445
962
805
301
8,444
4,957
13,401

CEO

CFO

(US$ ’000)

Executive
Team (9
members)

1,000
707
150
64
1,921
2,783
4,704

648
455
97
15
1,215
1,492
2,707

3,822
1,590
629
1,193
7,233
5,202
12,435

138

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Remuneration charge for the Executive team

2016
Base salary.................................................................................................
Bonus.........................................................................................................
Pension ......................................................................................................
Other benefits ............................................................................................
Total before share based compensation .................................................
Share based compensation(i)(ii) in respect of 2016 LTIP .........................
Total ..........................................................................................................

CEO

CFO

(US$ ’000)

Executive
team
(9 members)

1,000
660
150
48
1,858
2,660
4,518

599
450
82
18
1,149
1,481
2,630

3,797
1,411
513
720
6,441
4,031
10,472

(i)  See note B.4.1.

(ii)  Share awards of 80,264 and 112,472 were granted in 2018 under the 2018 LTIPs to the CEO, and Executive Team (2017: 

61,724 and 167,371, respectively; 2016: 49,171 and 104,573, respectively).

(iii)  Other Executives’ compensation includes Daniel Loria, former CHRO and Rodrigo Diehl, EVP Strategy.

Share ownership and unvested share awards granted from Company equity plans to the Executive team

2018
Share ownership (vested from equity plans and otherwise acquired) .......
Share awards not vested ............................................................................
2017
Share ownership (vested from equity plans and otherwise acquired) .......
Share awards not vested ............................................................................

B.5. Other non-operating (expenses) income, net

CEO

Executive
team

Total

(number of shares)

122,310
172,485

80,159
148,324

84,782
339,726

55,888
299,067

207,092
512,211

136,047
447,391

Non-operating items mainly comprise changes in fair value of derivatives and the impact of foreign exchange 

fluctuations on the results of the Group.

Change in fair value of derivatives (see note D.1.2.)
Exchange gain (loss), net
Other non-operating income (expenses), net
Total

Foreign exchange gains and losses

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)

(1)
(41)
2
(40)

(22)
18
0
(4)

3
25
(9)
20

Transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are translated into the functional 
currency using exchange rates prevailing at the transaction dates. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from 
the settlement of such transactions, and on translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies 

139

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

other than the functional currency at year-end exchange rates, are recognized in the consolidated statement of 
income, except when deferred in equity as qualifying cash flow hedges.

B.6. Taxation

B.6.1. Income tax expense

Tax mainly comprises income taxes of subsidiaries and withholding taxes on intragroup dividends and royalties 
for use of Millicom trademarks and brands. Millicom operations are in jurisdictions with income tax rates of 10% to 
40% levied on either revenue or profit before income tax (2017: 10% to 40%; 2016: 10% to 40%). Income tax 
relating to items recognized directly in equity is recognized in equity and not in the consolidated statement of 
income.

Income tax charge

Income tax (charge) credit
Withholding tax .........................................................................................
Other income tax relating to the current year............................................

Adjustments in respect of prior years........................................................

Deferred tax (charge) credit
Origination and reversal of temporary differences....................................
Effect of change in tax rates ......................................................................
Tax income (expense) before valuation allowances..................................
Effect of valuation allowances ..................................................................

Adjustments in respect of prior years........................................................

Tax (charge) credit on continuing operations ............................................
Tax (charge) credit on discontinuing operations .......................................
Total tax (charge) credit..........................................................................

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)

(64)
(86)
(150)
1
(149)

32
(10)
22
(8)
14

19

33
(116)
—
(116)

(74)
(85)
(159)
(12)
(171)

15

19

34
(30)
4

9

13
(158)
—
(158)

(44)
(74)
(118)
(26)
(144)

45

1

46
(88)
(42)
7
(35)
(179)
6
(173)

140

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Reconciliation between the tax expense and tax at the weighted average statutory tax rate is as follows:

Income tax calculation

2018

Discontinue
d
operations

Continuing
operations

Total

Continuing
operations

Profit before tax ....................

129

(39)

2017

Discontinue
d
operations

(US $ millions)

51

(10)

0

0

7

0

0

0

Total

Continuing
operations

2016

Discontinue
d
operations

Total

227

109

(26)

(22)

(11)

19

(59)

(73)

17

1

9

13

1

(65)

(43)

29

(16)

6

0

0

8

0

0

0

83

15

13

1

(57)

(43)

29

(16)

90

(1)

7

(10)

(61)

(64)

5

(2)

176

(12)

(11)

19

(66)

(73)

17

1

4

—

—

(2)

—

—

—

(2)

(10)

(31)

(10)

(41)

(105)

(15)

(120)

—

—

—

—

20

(116)

1

(3)

(158)

13

0

0

14

17

(3)

(158)

(19)

(179)

0

7

6

17

(12)

(173)

Tax at the weighted

average statutory rate........

(5)

Effect of:

Items taxed at a different

rate ....................................

7

Change in tax rates on

deferred tax balances ........

(10)

Expenditure not

deductible and income
not taxable ........................

Unrelieved withholding

tax .....................................

Accounting for associates

and joint ventures .............

Movement in deferred tax

on unremitted earnings .....

Unrecognized deferred

tax assets...........................

Recognition of previously
unrecognized deferred
tax assets...........................

Adjustments in respect of

prior years.........................

(59)

(64)

5

(2)

(8)

—

20

Total tax (charge) credit .....

(116)

Weighted average

statutory tax rate ...............

3.9%

1.1%

6.82%

9.69%

(8.26)%

(17.90)%

Effective tax rate ...................

89.9%

128.9%

89.77%

69.60% 164.22 %

207.10 %

B.6.2. Current tax assets and liabilities

Current tax assets and liabilities for current and prior periods are measured at the amount expected to be 
recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rate and tax laws used to compute the amount are those 
enacted or substantively enacted by the statement of financial position date.

B.6.3. Deferred tax

Deferred tax is calculated using the liability method on temporary differences at the statement of financial 
position date between the tax base of assets and liabilities and their carrying amount for financial reporting purposes.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences, except where the deferred tax 
liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business 
combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither accounting, nor taxable profit or loss.

Deferred tax assets are recognized for all temporary differences including unused tax credits and tax losses, to 
the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences 
can be utilized, except where the deferred tax assets relate to deductible temporary differences from initial 
recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination, and, at the time of the 
transaction, affects neither accounting, nor taxable profit or loss. It is probable that taxable profit will be available 

141

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

when there are sufficient taxable temporary differences relating to the same tax authority and the same taxable entity 
which are expected to reverse in the same period as the expected reversal of the deductible temporary difference.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each statement of financial position date and reduced 
to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to utilize them. Unrecognized 
deferred tax assets are reassessed at each statement of financial position date and are recognized to the extent it is 
probable that future taxable profit will enable the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rate expected to apply in the year when the assets are 
realized or liabilities settled, based on tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the 
statement of financial position date. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset where legally 
enforceable set off rights exist and the deferred taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation 
authority.

Deferred tax

Balance at December

31, 2016...........................

(Charge)/credit to

statement of income ........
Exchange differences..........
Balance at December

31, 2017

Deferred tax assets..............
Deferred tax liabilities ........
Balance at December

31, 2017...........................

(Charge)/credit to

statement of income ........
Change in scope..................
Accounting policy

changes............................
Exchange differences..........
Balance at December

31, 2018

Deferred tax assets..............
Deferred tax liabilities ........
Balance at December

31, 2018...........................

Fixed assets

Unused tax
losses

Unremitted
earnings

Other

Offset

Total

(US$ millions)

(23)

53

2

32

88

(56)

32

(18)

(190)

—

—

(176)

76

(252)

(176)

113

(61)

—

52

52

—

52

(3)

—

—

(5)

44

44

—

44

(32)

1
(1)

(32)
—
(32)

(32)

(2)
—

—

—

(34)
—
(34)

(34)

51

20

1

72

79
(7)

72

56

9

4
(6)

135

134

1

135

—

—

—

—
(39)
39

—

—

—

—

—

—
(52)
52

—

109

13

2

124

180
(56)

124

33
(181)

4
(11)

(31)
202
(233)

(31)

Deferred tax assets have not been recognized in respect of the following deductible temporary differences:

Deductible temporary differences

At December 31, 2018 .......................................................
At December 31, 2017 .......................................................

92
68

(US$ millions)
4,886
4,844

134
162

5,112
5,074

Fixed assets

Unused tax
losses

Other

Total

142

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Unrecognized loss carryforwards expire as follows:

Unrecognized tax losses related to continuing operations

Expiry:
Within one year .........................................................................................
Within one to five years.............................................................................
After five years ..........................................................................................
No expiry ...................................................................................................
Total ..........................................................................................................

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)

—
3
493
4,390
4,886

39
494
—
4,311
4,844

27
493
—
3,981
4,501

With effect from 2017, Luxembourg tax losses incurred may be carried forward for a maximum of 17 years. 

Losses incurred before 2017 may be carried forward without limitation of time.

At December 31, 2018, Millicom had $584 million of unremitted earnings of Millicom operating subsidiaries 

for which no deferred tax liabilities were recognized (2017: $842 million; 2016: $873 million). Except for 
intragroup dividends to be paid out of 2018 profits in 2019 for which deferred tax of $34 million (2017: $32 million; 
2016 $32 million) has been provided, it is anticipated that intragroup dividends paid in future periods will be made 
out of profits of future periods.

B.7. Earnings per share

Basic earnings (loss) per share are calculated by dividing net profit for the year attributable to equity holders of 

the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted earnings (loss) per share are calculated by dividing the net profit for the year attributable to equity 
holders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year, plus the 
weighted average number of dilutive potential shares.

Net profit/(loss) used in the earnings (loss) per share computation

Basic and diluted:

Net profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders from continuing

operations...............................................................................................

Net profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders from discontinued

operations...............................................................................................

Net profit/(loss) attributable to all equity holders to determine

the basic earnings (loss) per share ......................................................

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)

29

(39)

(10)

36

51

86

(12)

(20)

(32)

143

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Weighted average number of shares in the earnings (loss) per share computation

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (excluding treasury

shares) for basic earnings (loss) per share .............................................
Potential incremental shares as a result of share options ..........................
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (excluding treasury

shares) adjusted for the effect of dilution ..........................................

C. Capital structure and financing

C.1. Share capital, share premium and reserves

2018

2017

2016

(thousands of shares)

100,793
—

100,384
—

100,337
—

100,793

100,384

100,337

Common shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are 

shown in equity as a deduction from the proceeds.

Where any Group company purchases the Company’s share capital, the consideration paid, including any 
directly attributable incremental costs, is shown under Treasury shares and deducted from equity attributable to the 
Company’s equity holders until the shares are canceled, reissued or disposed of. Where such shares are subsequently 
sold or reissued, any consideration received, net of any directly attributable incremental costs and the related income 
tax effects is included in equity attributable to the Company’s equity holders.

Share capital, share premium

Authorized and registered share capital (number of shares).......................................... 133,333,200
Subscribed and fully paid up share capital (number of shares) ..................................... 101,739,217
1.50
Par value per share .........................................................................................................
153
Share capital (US$ millions)..........................................................................................
482
Share premium (US$ millions) ......................................................................................
Total (US$ millions) .....................................................................................................
635

2018

2017
133,333,200
101,739,217
1.50
153
484
637

144

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Other equity reserves

As of January 1, 2016 ...................
Share based compensation..............
Issuance of shares – 2013, 2014,

2015 LTIPs..................................

Remeasurements of post-
employment benefit
obligations ...................................

Cash flow hedge reserve

movement....................................
Currency translation movement......
As of December 31, 2016 ..............
Share based compensation..............
Issuance of shares – 2014, 2015,

2016 LTIPs..................................

Remeasurements of post-
employment benefit
obligations ...................................

Cash flow hedge reserve

movement....................................
Currency translation movement......
As of December 31, 2017 ..............
Share based compensation..............
Issuance of shares –2015, 2016,

2017 LTIPs..................................
Currency translation movement......
As of December 31, 2018 ..............

C.1.1. Legal reserve

Equity
settled
transaction
reserve

Legal
reserve

Hedge
reserve

Currency
translation
reserve

Pension
obligation
reserve

Total

(US$ millions)

16

—

—

—

—

—

16

—

—

—

—

—

16

—

—

—
16

46

14

(17)

—

—

—

43

22

(18)

—

—

—

47

22

(22)

—
47

(1)
—

—

—

(3)
—
(4)
—

—

—

4

—

—

—

—

—
—

(593)
—

—

—

—
(23)
(616)
—

—

—

—

85
(531)
—

—
(68)
(599)

1

—

—

(2)

—

—
(1)
—

—

(2)

—

—
(3)
—

—

—
(3)

(531)
14

(17)

(2)

(3)
(23)
(562)
22

(18)

(2)

4

85
(472)
22

(22)
(68)
(538)

If Millicom International Cellular S.A. reports an annual net profit on a non-consolidated basis, Luxembourg 

law requires appropriation of an amount equal to at least 5% of the annual net profit to a legal reserve until such 
reserve equals 10% of the issued share capital. This reserve is not available for dividend distribution. No 
appropriation was required in 2017 or 2018 as the 10% minimum level was reached in 2011 and maintained each 
subsequent year.

C.1.2. Equity settled transaction reserve

The cost of LTIPs is recognized as an increase in the equity-settled transaction reserve over the period in which 

the performance and/or service conditions are rendered. When shares under the LTIPs vest and are issued the 
corresponding reserve is transferred to share premium.

C.1.3. Hedge reserve

The effective portions of changes in value of cash flow hedges are recorded in the hedge reserve (see note C.1.).

145

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

C.1.4. Currency translation reserve

In the financial statements, the relevant captions in the statements of financial position of subsidiaries without 
US dollar functional currencies are translated to US dollars using the closing exchange rate. Statements of income or 
statement of income captions (including those of joint ventures and associates) are translated to US dollars at 
monthly average exchange rates during the year. The currency translation reserve includes foreign exchange gains 
and losses arising from these translations.

C.2. Dividend distributions

On May 17, 2018, a dividend distribution of $2.64 per share from Millicom’s retained profits at December 31, 

2017, was approved by the shareholders at the AGM and paid in equal portions in May and November 2018.

On May 4, 2017, a dividend distribution of $2.64 per share from Millicom’s retained profits at December 31, 

2016, was approved by the shareholders at the AGM and distributed in May 2017.

On May 17, 2016, a dividend distribution of $2.64 per share from Millicom’s retained profits at December 31, 

2015, was approved by the shareholders at the AGM and distributed in May 2016.

The ability of the Company to make dividend payments is subject to, among other things, the terms of 

indebtedness, legal restrictions and the ability to repatriate funds from Millicom’s various operations. At December 
31, 2018, $324 million (December 31, 2017: $345 million; December 31, 2016: $321 million) of Millicom’s 
retained profits represent statutory reserves that are unavailable to be distributed to owners of the Company.

C.3. Debt and financing

Debt and financing by type (i)

Note

2018

2017

(US$ millions)

Debt and financing due after more than one year
Bonds.........................................................................................................
Banks .........................................................................................................
Finance leases............................................................................................
Other financing(ii)............................................................................................................
Total non-current financing .......................................................................
Less: portion payable within one year.......................................................
Total non-current financing due after more than one year ........................
Debt and financing due within one year
Bonds.........................................................................................................
Banks .........................................................................................................
Finance leases............................................................................................
Other financing..........................................................................................
Total current debt and financing............................................................
Add: portion of non-current debt payable within one year .......................
Total ..........................................................................................................
Total debt and financing .........................................................................

C.3.1.
C.3.2.
C.3.4.

C.3.1.
C.3.2.
C.3.4.

(i)  See note D.1.1 for further details on maturity profile of the Group debt and financing.

146

2,501
1,324
353
113
4,291
(168)
4,123

—
289
—
—
289
168
458
4,580

2,147
1,158
362
74
3,742
(142)
3,600

—
40
3
—
43
142
185
3,785

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

(ii)  In July 2018, the Company issued a COP144,054.5 million /$50 million bilateral facility with IIC (Inter-American 

Development Bank) for a USD indexed to COP Note. The note bears interest at 9.45% p.a.. This COP Note is used as net 
investment hedge of the net assets of our operations in Colombia.

Debt and financing by location

Millicom International Cellular S.A. (Luxembourg) ........................................................
Colombia ...........................................................................................................................
Paraguay............................................................................................................................
Bolivia ...............................................................................................................................
Panama ..............................................................................................................................
Tanzania ............................................................................................................................
Rwanda..............................................................................................................................
Chad ..................................................................................................................................
Costa Rica .........................................................................................................................
El Salvador ........................................................................................................................
Total debt and financing .................................................................................................

2018

2017

(US$ millions)
1,770
1,016
504
317
261
201
—
64
148
299
4,580

1,255
1,130
488
352
—
217
50
70
76
147
3,785

Debt and financings are initially recognized at fair value, net of directly attributable transaction costs. They are 
subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method or at fair value. Amortized cost is 
calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and any fees or costs that are an integral 
part of the effective interest rate. Any difference between the initial amount and the maturity amount is recognized in 
the consolidated statement of income over the period of the borrowing. Borrowings are classified as current 
liabilities, unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months from 
the statement of financial position date.

147

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

C.3.1. Bond financing

Bond financing

SEK Senior Unsecured Variable

Rate Notes ................................
USD 6.625% Senior Notes ..........
USD 6% Senior Notes .................
USD 6.625% Senior Notes ..........
USD 5.125% Senior Notes ..........
USD 6.75% Senior Notes ............
BOB 4.75% Notes........................
BOB 4.05% Notes........................
BOB 4.85% Notes........................
BOB 3.95% Notes........................
BOB 4.30% Notes........................
BOB 4.30% Notes........................
BOB 4.70% Notes........................
BOB 5.30% Notes........................
UNE Bond 1 (tranches A and B)..

UNE Bond 2 (tranches A and B)..
UNE Bond 3 (tranche A)..............
UNE Bond 3 (tranche B)..............
UNE Bond 3 (tranche C)..............
Cable Onda Bonds .......................
Total bond financing ..................

Note

Country

Final
Maturity

Interest Rate %

2018

2017

(US$ millions)

1 Luxembourg

2 Luxembourg

3 Luxembourg

4 Luxembourg

5 Luxembourg

6 Paraguay

7 Bolivia

7 Bolivia

7 Bolivia

7 Bolivia

7 Bolivia

7 Bolivia

7 Bolivia

7 Bolivia

8 Colombia

8 Colombia

8 Colombia

8 Colombia

8 Colombia

9 Panama

2019

2026

2025

2021

2028

2022

2020

2020

2023

2024

2029

2022

2024

2026

2020

2023

2024

2026

2036

2025

STIBOR +3.3(i)

6.625

6

6.625

5.125

6.75

4.75

4.05

4.85

3.95

4.3

4.3

4.7

5.3

CPI + 5.10

CPI + 4.76

9.35

CPI+4.15

CPI+4.89

5.75

—

495

491

—

493

297

59

7

71

43

23

30

35

13

46

46

49

78

39

184

2,501

243

—

496

—

494

296

86

11

85

50

25

30

35

13

50

50

54

85

43

—

2,147

(i)  STIBOR – Swedish Interbank Offered Rate.

(1)  SEK Senior Unsecured Notes

In August 2018, the Company redeemed all of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding SEK Senior 

Unsecured Notes due 2019 ($227 million). The early redemption fees amounting to $3 million and $1 million of 
related unamortized costs have been expensed in August 2018 under interest and other financial expenses. As of 
September 30, 2018, the notes have been fully redeemed.

(2)  USD 6.625% Senior Notes

On October 16, 2018, the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 6.625% Senior Notes 
due 2026. The Notes bear interest at 6.625% p.a., payable semiannually in arrears on each interest payment date. 
Proceeds were used to finance Cable Onda’s acquisition (Note A.1.2.). Costs of issuance of $6 million are amortized 
over the eight-year life of the notes (the effective interest rate is 6.75%).

148

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

(3)  USD 6% Senior Notes

On March 11, 2015, Millicom issued a $500 million 6% fixed interest rate bond repayable in ten years, to repay 
the El Salvador 8% Senior Notes and for general corporate purposes. The bond was issued at 100% of the principal 
and has an effective interest rate of 6.132%. $8.6 million of withheld and upfront costs are being amortized over the 
ten-year life of the bond.

(4)  USD 6.625% Senior Notes

In December 2016, the Company confirmed that it had accepted for purchase $142 million of principal of its 

6.625% Senior Notes due 2021. The early redemption fees amounting to $8 million and $2 million of related 
unamortized costs had been expensed in December 2016 under interest and other financial expenses.

On September 11, 2017, the Group made a tender offer for the outstanding 6.625% Senior Notes. On September 
20, 2017, MIC S.A. repurchased $186 million in principal amount in the tender offer using the proceeds of the issue 
of the 5.125% Notes – see below. Also on September 11, 2017, the Group delivered a redemption notice for the 
6.625% Senior Notes. MIC S.A. redeemed the remaining $473 million in principal amount on October 15, 2017. 
The total early redemption fees amounting to $22 million and $6 million of related unamortized costs have been 
expensed in September 2017 under interest and other financial expenses. At December 31, 2017, there are no 2021 
Notes outstanding.

(5)  USD 5.125% Senior Notes

On September 20, 2017, MIC S.A. issued a $500 million, ten-year bond with an interest rate of 5.125% at an 
issue price of 100% (the 5.125% Notes) and will mature in 2028. Costs of issuance of $7 million are amortized over 
the seven-year life of the notes (effective interest rate is 5.24%).

(6)  USD 6.75% Senior Notes

On December 7, 2012, Telefónica Cellular del Paraguay S.A., Millicom’s fully owned subsidiary in Paraguay 
issued $300 million of notes at 100% of the aggregate principal amount. Distribution and other transaction fees of $7 
million reduced the total proceeds from issuance to $293 million. The 6.75% Senior Notes have a 6.75% per annum 
coupon with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on June 13 and 13 December. The effective interest rate is 
7.12%.

The 6.75% Senior Notes are general unsecured obligations of Telefónica Celular del Paraguay S.A. and rank 

equal in right of payment with all future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Telefónica Celular del 
Paraguay S.A. The 6.75% Senior Notes are unguaranteed.

(7)  BOB Notes

In May 2012, Telecel Bolivia issued Boliviano (BOB) 1.36 billion of notes repayable in installments until April 

2, 2020. Distribution and other transaction fees of BOB5 million reduced the total proceeds from issuance to BOB 
1.32 billion ($191 million). The bond has a 4.75% per annum coupon with interest payable semi-annually in arrears 
in May and November each year. The effective interest rate is 4.79%.

In November 2015, Telecel Bolivia issued BOB696 million (approximately $100 million) of notes in two series, 
A for BOB104.4 million (approximately $15 million), with a fixed annual interest rate of 4.05%, maturing in August 
2020 and series B for BOB591.6 million (approximately $85 million) with a fixed annual interest rate of 4.85%, 
maturing in August 2023. The bond has coupon with interest payable semi-annually in arrears in March and 
September during the first two years, thereafter each February and August. The effective interest rate is 4.84%. In 
the placement, the final interest rate was reduced as Telecel Bolivia took advantage of strong demand for the bonds 
resulting in a reduction of the average interest rate to 4.55%. Telecel Bolivia received BOB4.59 million in excess of 
the BOB696 million issued (upfront premium).

On August 11, 2016, the operation in Bolivia issued a new bond for a total amount of BOB522 million 
consisting of two tranches (approximately $50 million and $25 million, respectively). Tranche A and B bear fixed 
interest at 3.95% and 4.30%, and will mature in June 2024 and June 2029, respectively.

149

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

On October 12, 2017, Tigo Bolivia placed approximately $80 million of local currency debt in three tranches, 

which will mature in 2022, 2024 and 2026 and bear an average interest rate of 4.66%.

(8)  UNE Bonds

In March 2010, UNE issued a COP300 billion (approximately $126 million) bond consisting of two tranches 

with five and ten-year maturities. Interest rates are either fixed or variable depending on the tranche. Tranche A 
bears variable interest, based on CPI, in Colombian peso and paid in Colombian peso. Tranche B bears variable 
interest, based on fixed term deposits, in Colombian peso and paid in Colombian peso. UNE applied the proceeds to 
finance its investment plan. Tranche A matured in March 2015 and tranche B will mature in March 2020.

In May 2011, UNE issued a COP300 billion (approximately $126 million) bond consisting of two equal 

tranches with five and twelve-year maturities. Interest rates are variable and depend on the tranche. Tranche A bears 
variable interest, based on CPI, in Colombian peso and paid in Colombian peso. Tranche B bears variable interest, 
based on fixed term deposits, in Colombian peso and paid in Colombian peso. UNE applied the proceeds to finance 
its investment plan. Tranche A matured in October 2016 and tranche B will mature in October 2023.

In May 2016, UNE issued a COP540 billion bond (approximately $176 million) consisting of three tranches 
(approximately $52 million, $83 million and $41 million respectively). Interest rates are either fixed or variable 
depending on the tranche. Tranche A bears fixed interest at 9.35%, while tranche B and C bear variable interest, 
based on CPI, (respective margins of CPI + 4.15% and CPI + 4.89%), in Colombian peso. UNE applied the proceeds 
to finance its investment plan and repay one bond (COP150 billion tranche). Tranches A, B and C will mature in 
May 2024, May 2026 and May 2036, respectively.

(9) Cable Onda Bonds

On August 4, 2015, Cable Onda issued public bonds in Panama for a total amount of $185 million. These bonds 
bear a fixed annual interest of 5.75% and are due on August 4, 2025. The bonds have been assumed by Millicom as 
part of the acquisition of the company. See note A.1.2. for further details on the acquisition.

150

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

C.3.2. Bank and Development Financial Institution financing

Note Country

Maturity

Interest rate %

2018

2017

(US$ millions)

Fixed rate loans

PYG Long-term loan ...........................
PYG Long-term loan ...........................
PYG Long-term loan ...........................
PYG Long-term loan
USD - Long-term loans
USD - Long-term loans
BOB Long-term loans
BOB Long-term loans

Paraguay

1 Paraguay

Paraguay
Paraguay
Panama
Panama
Bolivia
Bolivia

Variable rate loans

USD Long-term loans..........................
USD Long-term loans..........................
USD Long-term loans..........................

USD Long-term loans..........................
USD Short-term loans .........................

2 Costa Rica

Chad

3 Rwanda

Tanzania
(Zantel)

4 Luxembourg

2020/2023/2025

2022

2023
2025
2019
2019
2025
2025

2021

2019

2019

2020

2019

9.00

10.10

10.25
8.90
4.00
3.80
4.30
4.30

3.5 variable

4 variable

2.9 variable

3.75 variable

Libor + 1.50

4.1+IBR
variable(i)

5 Colombia (UNE)

2025/2030

5 Colombia (Tigo)

2021/2022

LIBOR + 2.5

6 El Salvador

2021

LIBOR + 3.0

6 El Salvador

El Salvador

6 El Salvador

6 El Salvador

Various

2021 LIBOR + 2.25

2022 LIBOR + 3.15

2023 LIBOR + 2.55

2023

LIBOR + 3

Various

COP Long-term loans..........................
USD Long-term loans..........................
USD Senior Unsecured Term Loan
Facility.................................................

USD Credit Facility.............................
USD Credit Facility.............................
USD Credit Facility

USD Credit Facility
Other Long-term loans ........................
Total Bank and Development
Financial Institution financing.............

(i) 

IBR – Colombia Interbank Rate.

1.  Paraguay

90

61

9
19
15
9
10
10

148

1

—

90

250

277

298

50

24

50

100

50

51

106

65

—
—
—
—
—
—

76

3

40

96

—

363

297

50

29

50

—

—

25

1,613

1,198

On July 4, 2017, the Paraguayan subsidiary signed a five-year loan agreement with the IPS (Instituto de 

Prevision Social) and the Inter-American Development Bank for a total amount of PYG $367,000 million 
(approximately $66 million). The loan, denominated in local currency carries a 10.10% interest rate per annum and 
start amortizing in Q4 2019. This facility is guaranteed by the Company.

2.  Costa Rica

In April 2018, Millicom Cable Costa Rica S.A. entered into a $150 million variable rate loan with Citibank as 

agent. Simultaneously, the outstanding loan balance of $72 million was repaid in full with the proceeds from this 
loan.

151

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

In June 2018, Millicom Cable Costa Rica S.A. entered into a cross currency swap to hedge part of the principal 

of the loan against interest rate and currency risks. Interest rate and currency swap agreements had been made on 
$35 million of the principal amount and interest rate swaps for an additional $35 million. 

3.  Rwanda

In January 2018, the Group repaid the remaining $40 million loan due by Rwanda to different banks.

4.  Luxembourg

MIC S.A. Bridge Facility

In October 2018, the Company entered into a $1 billion term loan facility agreement with a consortium of banks 

(the “Bridge Facility”), subsequently reduced to $250 million in December 2018. The Bridge Facility matures in 
October 2019 (unless extended for a period not exceeding six months). Interest on amounts drawn under the Bridge 
Facility is payable at LIBOR plus a variable margin. At December 31, 2018, $250 million have been drawn under 
this facility to finance Cable Onda’s acquisition (note 3). 

MIC S.A. revolving credit facility

On January 30, 2017, the Company announced the closing of a new $600 million, five years revolving credit 

facility (RCF) and notified the lenders in the 2014 RCF of the formal cancellation of the commitments outstanding 
under the 2014 RCF (none of which were drawn at such date).

Interest on amounts drawn under the revolving credit facility is payable at LIBOR or EURIBOR, as applicable, 

plus an initial margin of 1.5%. As of December 31, 2018, the committed facility was fully undrawn.

MIC S.A. term loan facility

In July 2016, MIC S.A. entered into a $50 million term loan facility agreement, of which half was repaid in 
2017 and in January 2018 the remaining outstanding amount was fully repaid. The facility bears variable interest 
rate at six-month LIBOR + 2.25% per annum.

5.  Colombia

In June 2017, Colombia Movil completed a $300 million syndicated loan. The loan, denominated in US dollars, 

which carries an interest rate of LIBOR + 2.50% will be repaid in three tranches of $100 million in June and 
December 2021 for the two first tranches, and in June 2022 for the last tranche. Proceeds have been used to repay an 
inter-company loan from Millicom, which used the funds to reduce holding company debt (see note C.3.1.) and for 
general corporate purposes.

In March 2018, TigoUne prepaid $34 million equivalent in COP on bank financing debt.

6.  El Salvador

On April 15, 2016, Telemovil El Salvador, S.A. de C.V. entered into a Senior Unsecured Term Loan Facility up 

to $50 million maturing in April 2021 and bearing variable interest at  LIBOR + 3.0% per annum, which was 
restated and amended as of May 30, 2017, for a second tranche of $50 million and bearing an interest rate at LIBOR 
+ 3% per annum. This facility is guaranteed by the Company.

On June 6, 2016, Telemovil El Salvador, S.A. de C.V. entered into a $30 million Credit Facility for general 
corporate purposes maturing in June 2021 and bearing variable interest rate at LIBOR + 2.25%  per annum. The 
facility is guaranteed by the Company.

In January 2018, Telemovil El Salvador entered into an amended and restated the 2017 agreement with 

Scotiabank for a $50 million variable rate loan, with a 5-year bullet repayment.

In March 2018, Telemovil El Salvador entered into a $100 million variable rate facility with DNB and Nordea 

with a 5-year bullet repayment. The remaining $50 million of the facility was disbursed during 2018. In addition, 

152

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Telemovil El Salvador entered into an interest rate swap with Scotiabank to fix interest rates for up to $100 million 
of the outstanding debt.

Right of set-off and derecognition

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the consolidated statement 
of financial position if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognized amounts and an intention 
to settle on a net basis, or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.

A financial asset (or a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognized 

when:

•  Rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired; or

•  Rights to receive cash flows from the asset or obligations to pay the received cash flows in full without 

material delay have been transferred to a third party under a “pass-through” arrangement; and the Group 
has either transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset or the control of the asset.

When rights to receive cash flows from an asset have been transferred or a pass-through arrangement 

concluded, an evaluation is made if and to what extent the risks and rewards of ownership have been retained. When 
the Group has neither transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred 
control of the asset, the asset is recognized to the extent of the Group’s continuing involvement in the asset. In that 
case, the Group also recognizes an associated liability. The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured 
on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Group has retained. Continuing involvement that takes the 
form of a guarantee over the transferred asset is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of the asset 
and the maximum amount of consideration that the Group could be required to repay.

A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation under the liability is discharged or canceled, or expires. 

When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or 
the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the 
derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying 
amounts is recognized in the statement of income.

C.3.3. Interest and other financial expenses

The Group’s interest and other financial expenses comprised the following:

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017
(US$ millions)

2016

Interest expense on bonds and bank financing ..........................................
Interest expense on finance leases.............................................................
Early redemption charges ..........................................................................
Others ........................................................................................................
Total interest and other financial expenses ...........................................

(234)
(92)
(4)
(41)
(371)

(246)
(65)
(43)
(41)
(396)

(262)
(48)
(25)
(36)
(372)

C.3.4. Finance leases

Millicom’s finance leases mainly consist of long-term lease of tower space from tower companies or 

competitors on which Millicom locates its network equipment.

Finance lease liabilities

153

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Leases which transfer substantially all risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased item to the lessee 

are capitalized at the inception of the lease. The amount capitalized is the lower of the fair value of the asset or the 
present value of the minimum lease payments.

Lease payments are allocated between finance charges (interest) and reduction of the lease liability so as to 
achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are recorded as interest 
expenses in the statement of income.

The sale and leaseback of towers and related site operating leases and service contracts are accounted for in 

accordance with the underlying characteristics of the assets, and the terms and conditions of the lease agreements. 
When sale and leaseback agreements are concluded, the portions of assets that will not be leased back by Millicom 
are classified as assets held for sale as completion of their sale is highly probable. Asset retirement obligations 
related to the towers are classified as liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale. On transfer to the tower 
companies, the portion of the towers leased back are accounted for as operating leases or finance leases according to 
the criteria set out above. The portion of towers being leased back represents the dedicated part of each tower on 
which Millicom’s equipment is located and was derived from the average technical capacity of the towers. Rights to 
use the land on which the towers are located are accounted for as operating leases, and costs of services for the 
towers are recorded as operating expenses. The gain on disposal is recognized upfront for the portion of towers that 
is not leased back, and is deferred and recognized over the term of the lease for the portion leased back.

Finance lease liabilities

Country

Maturity

2018

2017

(US$ millions)

Lease of tower space................................................. Tanzania
Lease of tower space................................................. Colombia Movil
Lease of poles ........................................................... Colombia (UNE)
Lease of tower space................................................. Paraguay
Lease of tower space................................................. El Salvador
Other finance lease liabilities.................................... various
Total finance lease liabilities ..................................

2029/2030

2032

2032

2030

2026

various

112

83

99

27

26

6

353

121

87

100

21

20

17

365

Tower Sale and Leaseback 

In 2017 and 2018, the Group announced agreements to sell and leaseback wireless communications towers in 
Paraguay, Colombia and El Salvador. The table below summarizes the main aspects of these deals and impacts on 
the Group financial statements:

Agreement date ..............................................................................................
Total number of towers expected to be sold ..................................................
Total number of towers transferred as of December 31, 2018.......................
Expected total cash proceeds ($ millions) .....................................................
Cash proceeds received in 2017 ($ millions).................................................
Cash proceeds received in 2018 ($ millions).................................................
Upfront gain on sale recognized in 2017 ($ millions) (Note B.2) .................
Upfront gain on sale recognized in 2018 ($ millions) (Note B.2) .................

Paraguay

Colombia

April 26,
2017

1,410

1,276

125

75

41

26

19

July 18,
2017

1,207

902

147

86

26

37

13

El Salvador
February
6, 2018

811

496

145

—

73

—

33

154

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

C.3.5. Guarantees and pledged assets

Guarantees

Financial guarantee contracts issued by the Group are those contracts that require a payment to be made to 
reimburse the holder for a loss it incurs because the specified debtor fails to make payment when due in accordance 
with the terms of a debt instrument. Financial guarantee contracts are recognized initially as a liability at fair value, 
adjusted for transaction costs that are directly attributable to the issuance of the guarantee. Subsequently, the liability 
is measured at the higher of the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the 
reporting date and the amount recognized, less cumulative amortization.

Liabilities to which guarantees are related are recorded in the consolidated statement of financial position under 

Debt and financing, and liabilities covered by supplier guarantees are recorded under Trade payables or Debt and 
financing, depending on the underlying terms and conditions.

Maturity of guarantees

Term

At December 31, 2018

At December 31, 2017

Outstanding
exposure(i)

Maximum
exposure(ii)

Outstanding
exposure(i)

Maximum
exposure(ii)

0–1 year..............................................................................
1–3 years ............................................................................
3–5 years ............................................................................
Total guarantees ...............................................................

133

281

212

626

(US$ millions)

133

281

212

626

159

368

144

671

159

368

144

671

(i)    The outstanding exposure represents the carrying amount of the related liability at December 31.
(ii)  The maximum exposure represents the total amount of the Guarantee at December 31.

Pledged assets

The Group’s share of total debt and financing secured by either pledged assets, pledged deposits issued to cover 

letters of credit, or guarantees issued by the Company at December 31, 2018, was $626 million (2017: $671 
million), out of this, assets pledged by the Group over this debt and financing at the same date amounted to $2 
million (2017: $1 million). The remainder represented primarily guarantees issued by Millicom S.A. to guarantee 
financings raised by other Group operating entities.

C.3.6. Covenants

Millicom’s financing facilities are subject to a number of covenants including net leverage ratio, debt service 

coverage ratios, debt to earnings ratios, and cash levels. In addition, certain of its financings contain restrictions on 
sale of businesses or significant assets within the businesses. At December 31, 2018, there were no breaches in 
financial covenants.

C.4. Cash and deposits

C.4.1. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents in USD ...................................................................................
Cash and cash equivalents in other currencies..................................................................
Total cash and cash equivalents .....................................................................................

2018

2017

(US$ millions)
229
299
528

302
317
619

155

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short-term highly 

liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Cash deposits with bank with maturities of more than three months that generally earn interest at market rates 

are classified as time deposits.

C.4.2. Restricted cash

Mobile Financial Services.................................................................................................
Others ................................................................................................................................
Restricted cash.................................................................................................................

2018

2017

(US$ millions)
155
3
158

143
2
145

Cash held with banks related to MFS which is restricted in use due to local regulations is denoted as restricted 

cash.

C.4.3. Pledged deposits

Pledged deposits represent contracted cash deposits with banks that are held as security for debts at corporate or 
operational entity level. Millicom is unable to access these funds until either the relevant debt is repaid or alternative 
security is arranged with the lender.

At December 31, 2018, there were no non-current pledged deposits (2017: $nil).

At December 31, 2018, current pledged deposits amounted to $2 million (2017: $1 million).

C.5. Net debt

Net debt (i)

Total debt and financing....................................................................................................
Less:
Cash and cash equivalents.................................................................................................
Pledged deposits................................................................................................................
Time deposits related to bank borrowings ........................................................................
Net debt at the end of the year .......................................................................................
Add (less) derivatives related to debt (SEK currency swap) ............................................
Net debt including derivatives related to debt..............................................................

2018

2017

(US$ millions)
4,580

3,785

(528)
(2)
—
4,051
—
4,051

(619)
(1)
—
3,164
56
3,220

(i) As from 2018, the Group has excluded 'restricted cash' from its definition of Net debt. 2017 figures have been represented 
accordingly. The effect of the change is a $145 million increase in 2017 net debt.

156

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Assets

Liabilities from financing
activities

Cash and
cash
equivalents
646

10

(22)

—

4

(19)

—

—
619
(72)

—

7
—

(33)

6

—

—
528

Bond and
bank debt
and
financing
3,606
(177)
3

8

34
(49)
10
(14)
3,420
621

—

267
11
(84)
9

3
(19)
4,227

Finance
lease
liabilities
295
(22)
195
(1)
(2)
(13)
—
(86)
365
(17)
44

—
—
(21)
(8)
(11)
—
353

Other

4
(1)
—

—

—
(2)
—

—
2
—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—
2

Total

3,250
(209)
220

7

28
(42)
9
(101)
3,164
676

44

260
11
(72)
(4)
(9)
(19)
4,051

Net debt as at January 1, 2017.................
Cash flows ..................................................
Additions / acquisitions ..............................
Interest accretion.........................................
Foreign exchange movements ....................
Transfers (to)/from assets held for sale.......
Transfers .....................................................
Other non-cash movements ........................
Net debt as at December 31, 2017............
Cash flows ..................................................
Additions.....................................................
Scope changes.............................................
Interest accretion.........................................
Foreign exchange movements ....................
Transfers (to)/from assets held for sale.......
Transfers .....................................................
Other non-cash movements ........................
Net debt as at December 31, 2018............

C.6. Financial instruments

i) Equity and debt instruments

Classification

From January 1, 2018, and the application of IFRS 9, the Group classifies its financial assets in the following 

measurement categories:

• 

those to be measured subsequently at fair value either through Other Comprehensive Income (OCI), or 
through profit or loss, and

• 

those to be measured at amortized cost. 

The classification depends on the Group’s business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual 

terms of the cash flows. 

For assets measured at fair value, gains and losses will either be recorded in profit or loss or OCI. For 

investments in equity instruments that are not held for trading, this will depend on whether the Group has made an 
irrevocable election at the time of initial recognition to account for the equity investment at fair value through other 
comprehensive income (FVOCI).

The Group reclassifies debt investments when and only when its business model for managing those assets 

changes.

157

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Measurement

At initial recognition, the Group measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset 

not at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL), transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the 
financial asset. Transaction costs of financial assets carried at FVPL are expensed in profit or loss.

Financial assets with embedded derivatives are considered in their entirety when determining whether their cash 

flows are solely payment of principal and interest. 

Debt instruments

Subsequent measurement of debt instruments depends on the Group’s business model for managing the asset 
and the cash flow characteristics of the asset. There are three measurement categories into which the group classifies 
its debt instruments: 

•  Amortized cost: Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows where those cash flows 
represent solely payments of principal and interest are measured at amortized cost. Interest income 
from these financial assets is included in finance income using the effective interest rate method. Any 
gain or loss arising on derecognition is recognized directly in profit or loss and presented in other 
gains / (losses), together with foreign exchange gains and losses. Impairment losses are presented as a 
separate line item in the consolidated statement of income.

• 

FVOCI: Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows and for selling the financial assets, 
where the assets’ cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest, are measured at 
FVOCI. Movements in the carrying amount are taken through OCI, except for the recognition of 
impairment gains or losses, interest revenue and foreign exchange gains and losses which are 
recognized in profit or loss. When the financial asset is derecognised, the cumulative gain or loss 
previously recognized in OCI is reclassified from equity to profit or loss and recognized in ‘Other non-
operating (expenses) income, net’. Interest income from these financial assets is included in finance 
income using the effective interest rate method. Foreign exchange gains and losses and impairment 
expenses are presented as ‘Other non-operating (expenses) income, net’ in the consolidated statement 
of income. 

• 

FVPL: Assets that do not meet the criteria for amortized cost or FVOCI are measured at FVPL. A gain 
or loss on a debt investment that is subsequently measured at FVPL is recognized in profit or loss and 
presented net within ‘Other non-operating (expenses) income, net’ in the period in which it arises.

Equity instruments

The Group subsequently measures all equity investments at fair value. The Group does not hold Equity 

instruments for trading. Where the Group’s management has elected to present fair value gains and losses on equity 
investments in OCI, there is no subsequent reclassification of fair value gains and losses to profit or loss following 
the derecognition of the investment. Dividends from such investments continue to be recognized in profit or loss as 
other income when the Group’s right to receive payments is established.

Otherwise, changes in the fair value of financial assets at FVPL are recognized in ‘Other non-operating 
(expenses) income, net’ in the consolidated statement of income as applicable. Impairment losses (and reversal of 
impairment losses) on equity investments measured at FVOCI are not reported separately from other changes in fair 
value.

Impairment

From January 1, 2018, the Group assesses on a forward looking basis the expected credit losses associated with 
its financial assets carried at amortized cost and FVOCI. The impairment methodology applied depends on whether 
there has been a significant increase in credit risk.

For trade receivables, the Group applies the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9, which requires expected 

lifetime losses to be recognized from initial recognition of the trade receivables. 

158

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

The provision is recognized in the consolidated statement of income within Cost of sales.

ii) Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are 

subsequently re-measured at fair value at each subsequent closing date. The method of recognizing the resulting gain 
or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument and, if so, the nature of the item 
being hedged. The Group designates certain derivatives as either:

a)  Hedges of the fair value of recognized assets or liabilities or a firm commitment (fair value hedge); or

b)  Hedges of a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecast 

transaction (cash flow hedge).

For transactions designated and qualifying for hedge accounting, at the inception of the transaction, the Group 

documents the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management 
objectives and strategy for undertaking various hedging transactions. This is done in reference to the Group 
Financial Risk Management Policy as last updated and approved by the Audit Committee in late 2018. The Group 
also documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis (quarterly), of whether the 
derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash 
flows of hedged items.

The full fair value of a hedging instrument is classified as a non-current asset or liability when the period to 
maturity of the hedged item is more than 12 months and as a current asset or liability when the remaining maturity 
of the hedged item is less than 12 months. Trading derivatives are classified as a current asset or liability when the 
remaining period to maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months.

The change in fair value of hedging instruments that are designed and qualify as fair value hedges is recognized 
in the statement of income as finance costs or income. The change in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the 
risk hedged is recorded as part of the carrying value of the hedged item and is also recognized in the statement of 
income as finance costs or income.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow 
hedges is recognized in other comprehensive income. Gains or loss relating to any ineffective portion is recognized 
immediately in the statement of income within Other non-operating (expenses) income, net. Amounts accumulated 
in equity are reclassified to the statement of income in the periods when the hedged item affects profit or loss.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge 

accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at that time is recycled to the statement of income within 
Other non-operating (expenses) income, net.

When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in 
equity is immediately transferred to the statement of income within Other non-operating (expenses) income, net.

C.6.1. Fair value measurement hierarchy

Millicom uses the following fair value measurement hierarchy:

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, 

either directly (that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices).

Level 3 – Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable 

inputs).

The Group enters into derivative financial instruments with various counterparties, principally financial 
institutions with investment grade ratings. Interest rate swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts are valued 

159

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

using valuation techniques, which employ the use of markets observable data. The most frequently applied valuation 
techniques include forward pricing and swap models using present value calculations. The models incorporate 
various inputs including the credit quality of counterparties, foreign exchange spot and forward rates, yield curves of 
the respective currencies, interest rate curves and forward curves.

C.6.2. Fair value of financial instruments

The fair value of Millicom’s financial instruments are shown at amounts at which the instruments could be 
exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. The fair value 
of all financial assets and all financial liabilities, except debt and financing approximate their carrying value largely 
due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The fair values of all debt and financing have been estimated 
by the Group, based on discounted future cash flows at market interest rates.

Fair values of financial instruments at December 31, 

Carrying value

Fair value(i)

Note

2018

2017

2018

2017

(US$ millions)

G.5.

C.4.2.

C.4.1.

—

87

343

73

129

25

127

158

528

1,470

1,344

126

—

73

386

77

145

18

90

145

619

1,553

1,440

113

—

87

343

73

129

25

127

158

528

1,470

1,344

126

—

73

386

77

145

18

90

145

619

1,553

1,440

113

C.3.

4,580

3,785

4,418

3,971

282

335

—

239

483

383

402

6,704

2,335

4,370

288

304

56

—

420

353

371

5,577

1,753

3,824

282

335

—

239

483

383

402

6,542

2,335

4,207

288

304

56

—

420

353

371

5,763

1,753

4,010

Financial assets
Derivative financial instruments ................
Other non-current assets.............................
Trade receivables, net.................................
Amounts due from non-controlling
interests, associates and joint venture
partners .......................................................
Prepayments and accrued income ..............
Supplier advances for capital expenditures
Other current assets ....................................
Restricted cash............................................
Cash and cash equivalents..........................
Total financial assets ..................................
Current........................................................
Non-current ................................................
Financial liabilities
Debt and financing(i) .................................
Trade payables............................................
Payables and accruals for capital
expenditure .................................................
Derivative financial instruments ................

Put option liability......................................
Amounts due to non-controlling interests,
associates and joint venture partners ..........

C.6.3.

G.5.

Accrued interest and other expenses ..........
Other liabilities...........................................
Total financial liabilities.............................
Current........................................................
Non-current ................................................

(i)  Fair values are measured with reference to Level 1 (for listed bonds) or 2.

160

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

C.6.3. Call and put options

Cable Onda put and call options

As part of the acquisition of Cable Onda, shareholders agreed on certain put and call options. 

The put option to acquire the remaining 20% non-controlling interest in Cable Onda becomes exercisable 42 

months after the closing date (December 13, 2018) or earlier upon the occurrence of certain events. In that respect, 
Millicom determined that, as the put option could be exercised under certain change of control events which could 
be outside the control of Millicom, the option meets the criteria under IAS 32 for recognition as a liability and 
corresponding equity decrease. The put option liability is payable in Millicom's shares or in cash at the discretion of 
the partner. Therefore, Millicom has recorded a liability for the put option at acquisition completion date of $239 
million representing the present value of the redemption amount. As of December 31, 2018, the redemption price 
has been valued as being 20% of the equity value implied by the transaction. Any future change in the redemption 
price will be recorded in the Group's statement of income.

Millicom also received an unconditional call option which becomes exercisable either 42 months after 

December 13, 2018 closing date or if Millicom's partners’ shareholdings fall below 10%.  The call option exercise 
price is at fair market value. Finally, Millicom received an unconditional call option exercisable until December 13, 
2019, at a price equal to the purchase price in the transaction, plus interest at 10% per annum. The fair values of both 
call options have been assessed as not material at December 31, 2018.

D. Financial risk management

Exposure to interest rate, foreign currency, non-repatriation, liquidity, capital management and credit risks arise 
in the normal course of Millicom’s business. Each year Group Treasury revisits and presents to the Audit committee 
updated Treasury and Financial Risks Management policies. The Group analyzes each of these financial risks 
individually as well as on an interconnected basis and defines and implements strategies to manage the economic 
impact on the Group’s performance in line with its Financial Risk Management policy. These policies were last 
reviewed in late 2018. As part of the annual review of the above mentioned risks, the Group agrees to a strategy over 
the use of derivatives and natural hedging instruments ranging from raising debt in local currency (where the 
Company targets to reach 40% of debt in local currency over the medium term) to maintain a 70/30% mix between 
fixed and floating rate debt or agreeing to cover up to six months forward of operating costs and capex denominated 
in non-functional currencies through a rolling and layering strategy. Millicom’s risk management strategies may 
include the use of derivatives to the extent a market would exist in the jurisdictions where the Group operates. 
Millicom’s policy prohibits the use of such derivatives in the context of speculative trading.

Accounting policies for derivatives is further detailed in note C.6. On December 31, 2018 and 2017 fair value of 

derivatives held by the Group can be summarized as follows:

Derivatives
Cash flow hedge derivatives .............................................................................................
Net derivative asset (liability).........................................................................................

2018

2017

(US$ millions)

—
—

(56)
(56)

D.1.  Interest rate risk

Debt and financing issued at floating interest rates expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. Debt and 

financing issued at fixed rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk. The Group’s exposure to risk of 
changes in market interest rates relate to both of the above. To manage this risk, the Group’s policy is to maintain a 
combination of fixed and floating rate debt with target for the debt to be distributed between fixed (up to 70%) and 
variable (up to 30%) rates. The Group actively monitors borrowings against this target. The target mix between fixed 
and floating rate debt is reviewed periodically. The purpose of Millicom’s policy is to achieve an optimal balance 

161

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

between cost of funding and volatility of financial results, while taking into account market conditions as well as our 
overall business strategy. At December 31, 2018, approximately 68% of the Group’s borrowings are at a fixed rate of 
interest or for which variable rates have been swapped for fixed rates with interest rate swaps (2017: 65%).

D.1.1. Fixed and floating rate debt

Financing at December 31, 2018

Amounts due within:

1 year

1–2 years

2–3 years

3–4 years

4–5 years

>5 years

Total

140
6.35%

162

137

436

204

2,036

3,115

6.59%

6.64%

6.61%

4.10%

6.47%

6.34%

(US$ millions)

319

175

266

133

263

309

1,465

10.28%

5.89%

2.73%

0.49%

4.41%

1.13%

1.98%

458
9.08%

337
6.23%

403
4.06%

569
5.18%

468
4.28%

2,345

4,580

5.76%

4.95%

Fixed rate financing ................
Weighted average nominal

interest rate ..........................
Floating rate financing ............
Weighted average nominal

interest rate ..........................
Total ........................................
Weighted average nominal

interest rate ..........................

Financing at December 31, 2017 

Fixed rate financing ................
Weighted average nominal

interest rate ..........................
Floating rate financing ............
Weighted average nominal

interest rate ..........................
Total ........................................
Weighted average nominal

interest rate ..........................

1 year

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

4-5 years

>5 years

Total

Amounts due within:

87

365

141

104

396

1,369

2,462

(US$ millions)

7.17%

5.52%

8.28%

9.92%

7.73%

7.68%

7.48%

98

134

206

327

188

370

1,323

4.24%

2.37%

8.40%

12.20%

1.98%

2.25%

3.06%

185

500

347

431

584

1,738

3,785

5.61%

4.68%

8.35%

11.65%

5.88%

6.52%

5.94%

A 100 basis point fall or rise in market interest rates for all currencies in which the Group had borrowings at 

December 31, 2018 would increase or reduce profit before tax from continuing operations for the year by 
approximately $15 million (2017: $13 million).

D.1.2. Interest rate swap contracts

From time to time, Millicom enters into currency and interest rate swap contracts to manage its exposure to 
fluctuations in interest rates and currency fluctuations in accordance with its Financial Risk Management policy. 
Details of these arrangements are provided below.

Interest rate and currency swaps on SEK denominated debt

These swaps matured in April 2018 and were settled against a cash payment of $63 million. Interest rate and 

currency swaps on SEK denominated debt were measured with reference to Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

162

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Interest rate and currency swaps on Euro-denominated debt

In June 2013, Millicom entered into interest rate and currency swaps whereby Millicom will sell Euros and 
receive USD to hedge against exchange rate fluctuations on an intercompany seven-year Euro 134 million principal 
and related interest financing of its operation in Senegal. The outstanding 2020 Notes were repaid in August 2017 
and as a result these swaps have been settled. The year-to-date 2017 revaluation of the swap resulted in a $22 
million loss. The Millicom Group finally received $10 million in cash on settlement date.

The above hedge was considered ineffective, with fluctuations in the fair value of the hedge recorded through 

the statement of income.

No other financial instruments have a significant fair value at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

D.2. Foreign currency risks

The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures in the countries in 
which it operates. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognized assets and liabilities 
and net investments in foreign operations.

Millicom seeks to reduce its foreign currency exposure through a policy of matching, as far as possible, assets 

and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, or entering into agreements that limit the risk of exposure to 
currency fluctuations against the US dollar reporting currency. In some cases, Millicom may also borrow in US 
dollars where it is either commercially more advantageous for joint ventures and subsidiaries to incur debt 
obligations in US dollars or where US dollar denominated borrowing is the only funding source available to a joint 
venture or subsidiary. In these circumstances, Millicom accepts the remaining currency risk associated with 
financing its joint ventures and subsidiaries, principally because of the relatively high cost of forward cover, when 
available, in the currencies in which the Group operates.

D.2.1. Debt denominated in US dollars and other currencies

Debt denomination at December 31

Debt denominated in US dollars .......................................................................................
Debt denominated in currencies of the following countries:
Colombia ...........................................................................................................................
Chad ..................................................................................................................................
Tanzania ............................................................................................................................
Bolivia ...............................................................................................................................
Paraguay............................................................................................................................
Luxembourg (SEK denominated) .....................................................................................
Other..................................................................................................................................
Total debt denominated in other currencies .................................................................
Total debt .........................................................................................................................

2018

2017

(US$ millions)
3,132

718
62
112
306
207
43
—
1,448
4,580

1,983

834
61
121
337
191
243
15
1,802
3,785

At December 31, 2018, if the US dollar had weakened/strengthened by 10% against the other functional 
currencies of our operations and all other variables held constant, then profit before tax from continuing operations 
would have increased/decreased by $53 million and $(53) million respectively (2017: $104 million and $(104) 
million respectively). This increase/decrease in profit before tax would have mainly been as a result of the 
conversion of the USD-denominated net debts in our operations with functional currencies other than the US dollar.

163

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

D.2.2. Foreign currency swaps

See note D.1.2. Interest rate swap contracts.

D.3. Non-repatriation risk

Most of Millicom’s operating subsidiaries and joint ventures generate most of the revenue of the Group and in 

the currency of the countries in which they operate. Millicom is therefore dependent on the ability of its subsidiaries 
and joint venture operations to transfer funds to the Company.

Although foreign exchange controls exist in some of the countries in which Millicom Group companies operate, 

none of these controls currently significantly restrict the ability of these operations to pay interest, dividends, 
technical service fees, royalties or repay loans by exporting cash, instruments of credit or securities in foreign 
currencies. However, existing foreign exchange controls may be strengthened in countries where the Group 
operates, or foreign exchange controls may be introduced in countries where the Group operates that do not 
currently impose such restrictions. If such events were to occur, the Company’s ability to receive funds from the 
operations could be subsequently restricted, which would impact the Company’s ability to make payments on its 
interest and loans and, or pay dividends to its shareholders. As a policy, all operations which do not face restrictions 
to deposit funds offshore and in hard currencies should do so for the surplus cash generated on a weekly basis. The 
Company and its subsidiaries make use of notional and physical cash pooling arrangements in hard currencies to the 
extent permitted.

In addition, in some countries it may be difficult to convert large amounts of local currency into foreign 

currency because of limited foreign exchange markets. The practical effects of this may be time delays in 
accumulating significant amounts of foreign currency and exchange risk, which could have an adverse effect on the 
Group. This is a relatively rare case for the countries in which the Group operates.

Lastly, repatriation most often gives raise to taxation, which is evidenced in the amount of taxes paid by the 

Group relative to the Corporate Income Tax reported in its statement of income.

D.4. Credit and counterparty risk

Financial instruments that subject the Group to credit risk include cash and cash equivalents, pledged deposits, 

letters of credit, trade receivables, amounts due from joint venture partners and associates, supplier advances and 
other current assets and derivatives. Counterparties to agreements relating to the Group’s cash and cash equivalents, 
pledged deposits and letters of credit are significant financial institutions with investment grade ratings. 
Management does not believe there are significant risks of non-performance by these counterparties and maintain a 
diversified portfolio of banking partners. Allocation of deposits across banks are managed such that the Group’s 
counterparty risk with a given bank stays within limits which have been set, based on each bank’s credit rating.

A large portion of revenue of the Group is comprised of prepaid products and services. For postpaid customers, 

the Group follows risk control procedures to assess the credit quality of the customer, taking into account its 
financial position, past experience and other factors. Accounts receivable also comprise balances due from other 
telecom operators. Credit risk of other telecom operators is limited due to the regulatory nature of the telecom 
industry, in which licenses are normally only issued to credit-worthy companies. The Group maintains a provision 
for expected credit losses of trade receivables based on its historical credit loss experience.

As the Group has a large number of internationally dispersed customers, there is generally no significant 

concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables, except for certain B2B customers (mainly 
governments). See note F.1.

164

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

D.5. Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that an entity will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial 

liabilities. The Group has significant indebtedness but also has significant cash balances. Millicom evaluates its 
ability to meet its obligations on an ongoing basis using a recurring liquidity planning tool. This tool considers the 
operating net cash flows generated from its operations and the future cash needs for borrowing, interest payments, 
dividend payments and capital and operating expenditures required in maintaining and developing its operating 
businesses.

The Group manages its liquidity risk through use of bank overdrafts, bank loans, bonds, vendor financing, 
Export Credit Agencies and Development Finance Institutions (DFI) loans. Millicom believes that there is sufficient 
liquidity available in the markets to meet ongoing liquidity needs. Additionally, Millicom is able to arrange offshore 
funding. Millicom has a diversified financing portfolio with commercial banks representing about 34% of its gross 
financing (2017: 30%), bonds 54% (2017: 57%), Development Finance Institutions 4% (2017: 3%) and finance 
leases 8% (2017: 10%).

Maturity profile of net financial liabilities at December 31, 2018 (i)

Total debt and financing.....................................................
Cash and cash equivalents .................................................
Pledged deposits (related to bank borrowings)..................
Derivative financial instruments (SEK currency swap).....
Net cash (debt) including derivatives related to debt ...
Future interest commitments..............................................
Trade payables (excluding accruals)..................................
Other financial liabilities (including accruals)...................
Put Option liability.............................................................
Trade receivables ...............................................................
Other financial assets .........................................................
Net financial liabilities .....................................................

Less than
1 year

1 to 5 years

> 5 years

Total

(US$ millions)

(458)
528

2

—

72
(248)
(478)
(1,217)

(239)
343

184
(1,583)

(1,778)
—

—

—
(1,778)
(786)
—
(135)

—
—

126
(2,573)

(2,345)
—

—

—
(2,345)
(77)
—

—

—
—

—
(2,422)

(4,580)
528

2

—
(4,051)
(1,111)
(478)
(1,352)

(239)
343

310
(6,578)

(i) As from 2018, the Group has excluded 'restricted cash' from its definition of Net debt. 2017 figures have been re-presented 
accordingly.

165

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Maturity profile of net financial liabilities at December 31, 2017 

Total debt and financing.....................................................
Cash and cash equivalents .................................................
Pledged deposits (related to bank borrowings)..................
Derivative financial instruments (SEK currency swap).....
Net cash (debt) including derivatives related to debt ...
Future interest commitments..............................................
Trade payables (excluding accruals)..................................
Other financial liabilities (including accruals)...................
Trade receivables ...............................................................
Other financial assets .........................................................
Net financial liabilities .....................................................

D.6. Capital management

Less than
1 year

1 to 5 years

> 5 years

Total

(US$ millions)

(185)
619

1
(56)
380
(255)
(427)
(1,094)
386

144
(866)

(1,862)
—

—

—
(1,862)
(785)
—
(124)
—

113
(2,658)

(1,738)
—

—

—
(1,738)
(68)
—

—

—

—
(1,806)

(3,785)
619

1
(56)
(3,220)
(1,108)
(427)
(1,218)
386

257
(5,330)

The primary objective of the Group’s capital management is to ensure a strong credit rating and solid capital 

ratios in order to support its business and maximize shareholder value.

The Group manages its capital structure with reference to local economic conditions and imposed restrictions 

such as debt covenants. To maintain or adjust its capital structure, the Group may make dividend payments to 
shareholders, return capital to shareholders through share repurchases or issue new shares. At December 31, 2018, 
Millicom is rated at one notch below investment grade by the independent rating agencies Moody’s (Ba1 negative) 
and Fitch (BB+ stable). The Group primarily monitors capital using net debt to EBITDA.

The Group reviews its gearing ratio (net debt divided by total capital plus net debt) periodically. Net debt 

includes interest bearing loans and borrowings, less cash and cash equivalents (included restricted cash) and pledged 
and time deposits related to bank borrowings. Capital represents equity attributable to the equity holders of the 
parent.

Net debt to EBITDA

Net debt .....................................................................................................
EBITDA.....................................................................................................
Net debt to EBITDA (i) .............................................................................

Note

C.5.
B.3.

2018

2017

(US$ millions)
4,051
1,254
3.23

3,164
1,278
2.48

(i) Ratio is above 3x on an IFRS basis. However, covenants are calculated on proportionate net debt/EBITDA, 
including Guatemala and Honduras, which show results below 3x. 

166

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Gearing ratio

Net debt .....................................................................................................
Equity ........................................................................................................
Net debt and equity....................................................................................
Gearing ratio..............................................................................................

Note

C.5.
C.1.

2018

2017

(US$ millions)
4,051
2,542
6,593
0.61

3,164
3,096
6,260
0.51

E. Long-term assets

E.1. Intangible assets

Millicom’s intangible assets mainly consist of goodwill arising from acquisitions, customer lists acquired 

through acquisitions, licenses and rights to operate and use spectrum.

E.1.1. Accounting for intangible assets

Intangible assets acquired in business acquisitions are initially measured at fair value at the date of acquisition, 

and those which are acquired separately are measured at cost. Internally generated intangible assets, excluding 
capitalized development costs, are not capitalized but expensed to the statement of income in the expense category 
consistent with the function of the intangible assets. Subsequently intangible assets are carried at cost, less any 
accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful economic lives using the 
straight-line method and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset may be 
impaired. The amortization period and the amortization method for intangible assets with finite useful lives are 
reviewed at least at each financial year end. Changes in expected useful lives or the expected beneficial use of the 
assets are accounted for by changing the amortization period or method, as appropriate, and treated as changes in 
accounting estimates.

Amortization expense on intangible assets with finite lives is recognized in the consolidated statement of 

income in the expense category consistent with the function of the intangible assets.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost of an acquisition over the Group’s share in the fair value of identifiable 

assets less liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquired subsidiary, at the date of the acquisition. If the fair 
value or the cost of the acquisition can only be determined provisionally, then goodwill is initially accounted for 
using provisional values. Within 12 months of the acquisition date, any adjustments to the provisional values are 
recognized. This is done when the fair values and the cost of the acquisition have been finally determined. 
Adjustments to provisional fair values are made as if the adjusted fair values had been recognized from the 
acquisition date. Goodwill on acquisition of subsidiaries is included in intangible assets, net. Goodwill on 
acquisition of joint ventures or associates is included in investments in joint ventures and associates. Following 
initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost, less any accumulated impairment losses. Gains or losses on the 
disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

Where goodwill forms part of a cash-generating unit (or group of cash-generating units) and part of the 
operation within that unit is disposed of, the goodwill associated with the operation disposed of is included in the 
carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal. Goodwill disposed of in this 
manner is measured, based on the relative values of the operation disposed and the portion of the cash-generating 
unit retained.

167

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Licenses

Licenses are recorded at either historical cost or, if acquired in a business combination, at fair value at the date 

of acquisition. Cost includes cost of acquisition and other costs directly related to acquisition and retention of 
licenses over the license period. These costs may include estimates related to fulfillment of terms and conditions 
related to the licenses such as service or coverage obligations, and may include up-front and deferred payments.

Licenses have a finite useful life and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated 
impairment losses. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the cost of the licenses over 
their estimated useful lives.

The terms of licenses, which have been awarded for various periods, are subject to periodic review for, among 

other things, rate setting, frequency allocation and technical standards. Licenses are initially measured at cost and 
are amortized from the date the network is available for use on a straight-line basis over the license period. Licenses 
held, subject to certain conditions, are usually renewable and generally non-exclusive. When estimating useful lives 
of licenses, renewal periods are included only if there is evidence to support renewal by the Group without 
significant cost.

Trademarks and customer lists

Trademarks and customer bases are recognized as intangible assets only when acquired or gained in a business 

combination. Their cost represents fair value at the date of acquisition. Trademarks and customer bases have 
indefinite or finite useful lives. Indefinite useful life trademarks are tested for impairment annually. Finite useful life 
trademarks are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line 
method to allocate the cost of the trademarks and customer bases over their estimated useful lives. The estimated 
useful lives for trademarks and customer bases are based on specific characteristics of the market in which they 
exist. Trademarks and customer bases are included in Intangible assets, net.

Estimated useful lives are:

Estimated useful lives
Trademarks ...............................................................................................................................................
Customer lists ...........................................................................................................................................

Years

1 to 15
4 to 20

Programming and content rights

Programming and content master rights which are purchased or acquired in business combinations which meet 

certain criteria are recorded at cost as intangible assets. The rights must be exclusive, related to specific assets which 
are sufficiently developed, and probable to bring future economic benefits and have validity for more than one year. 
Cost includes consideration paid or payable and other costs directly related to the acquisition of the rights, and are 
recognized at the earlier of payment or commencement of the broadcasting period to which the rights relate.

Programming and content rights capitalized as intangible assets have a finite useful life and are carried at cost, 

less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses. Amortization is calculated using the straight-
line method to allocate the cost of the rights over their estimated useful lives.

Non-exclusive and programming and content rights for periods less than one year are expensed over the period 

of the rights.

Indefeasible rights of use

There is no universally-accepted definition of an indefeasible rights of use (IRU). These agreements come in 

many forms. However, the key characteristics of a typical arrangement include:

•  The right to use specified network infrastructure or capacity;

168

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

• 

For a specified term (often the majority of the useful life of the relevant assets);

•  Legal title is not transferred;

•  A number of associated service agreements including operations and maintenance (O&M) and co-location 

agreements. These are typically for the same term as the IRU; and

•  Any payments are usually made in advance.

IRUs are accounted for either as a lease, or service contract based on the substance of the underlying agreement.

IRU arrangements will qualify as a lease if, and when:

•  The purchaser has an exclusive right for a specified period and has the ability to resell (or sublet) the 

capacity; and

•  The capacity is physically limited and defined; and

•  The purchaser bears all costs related to the capacity (directly or not) including costs of operation, 

administration and maintenance; and

•  The purchaser bears the risk of obsolescence during the contract term.

If all of these criteria are not met, the IRU is treated as a service contract.

If an IRU is determined to be a lease, the following indicators need to be present in order for the capitalization 

of an IRU as a finance lease to be considered:

•  The Group will be consuming the major part of the useful economic life of the asset (generally considered 
to be 75% of the total remaining useful economic life of the asset). The Group assumes that the useful 
economic life of a new fiber cable is 15 years;

• 

Substantially, all of the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the Group (e.g. Millicom can 
sublease excess capacity on the cables to other operators; Millicom is responsible for maintaining the 
cables during the contract period);

•  Neither party has the right to terminate the contract early (other than for “force majeure”);

•  The contract price is not subject to renegotiation or change (other than for inflationary increases);

•  The minimum contractual payments are for substantially all of the fair value of the asset (generally 

considered to be greater or equal to 90% of the fair value of the leased asset);

•  The Group can determine the fair value of the leased asset;

•  The Group has physical access rights to the cable.

Otherwise the IRU will be considered as an operating lease.

A finance lease of an IRU of network infrastructure (cables or fiber) is accounted for as a tangible asset. A 

finance lease of a capacity IRU (wavelength) is accounted for as an intangible asset.

Estimated useful lives of finance leases of capacity IRUs are between 12 and 15 years, or shorter if the 

estimated useful life of the underlying cable is shorter.

The costs of an IRU recognized as operating lease is recognized as prepayment and amortized in the statement 

of income on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The costs of an IRU recognized as service contract is recognized as prepayment and amortized in the statement 

of income as incurred over the duration of the contract.

169

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

E.1.2. Impairment of non-financial assets

At each reporting date Millicom assesses whether there is an indication that a non-financial asset may be 
impaired. If any such indication exists, or when annual impairment testing for a non-financial asset is required, an 
estimate of the asset’s recoverable amount is made. The recoverable amount is determined based on the higher of its 
fair value less cost to sell, and its value in use, for individual assets, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows 
that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets.

Where the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and is 
written down to its recoverable amount. Where no comparable market information is available, the fair value, less 
cost to sell, is determined based on the estimated future cash flows discounted to their present value using a discount 
rate that reflects current market conditions for the time value of money and risks specific to the asset. The foregoing 
analysis also evaluates the appropriateness of the expected useful lives of the assets. Impairment losses of continuing 
operations are recognized in the consolidated statement of income in expense categories consistent with the function 
of the impaired asset.

At each reporting date an assessment is made as to whether there is any indication that previously recognized 
impairment losses may no longer exist or may have decreased. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount is 
estimated. Other than for goodwill, a previously recognized impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in 
the estimate used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognized. If so, 
the carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. The increased amount cannot exceed the 
carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognized for 
the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognized in profit or loss.

After such a reversal, the depreciation charge is adjusted in future periods to allocate the asset’s revised carrying 

amount, less any residual value, on a systematic basis over its remaining useful life.

E.1.3. Movements in intangible assets

Movements in intangible assets in 2018

Goodwill

Licenses

Customer
lists

IRUs

Trademarks

Other(i)

Total

Opening balance, net.............
Change in scope (ii) ................
Additions .................................
Amortization charge................
Impairment ..............................
Disposals, net ..........................
Transfers..................................
Transfers to/from assets

held for sale (see note E.
3.).........................................
Exchange rate movements ......
Closing balance, net ..............
Cost or valuation .....................
Accumulated amortization

and impairment....................
Net...........................................

599

512

—

—

(6)

—

—

—

(28)
1,077

1,077

—
1,077

(US$ millions)
105

—

2
(14)
—

—

—

—
(5)
89

176

(87)
89

324

—

66

(48)

—

—

—

(12)

(12)
318

646

33

370

—
(11)
—

—

—

—
(1)
391

581

(328)
318

(190)
391

170

10

280

—
(8)
—

—

—

—

—
282

325

(43)
282

194

23

91
(65)
—

—
(16)

—
(9)
218

646

1,265

1,185

158
(144)
(6)
—
(16)

(12)
(55)
2,374

3,451

(428)
218

(1,077)
2,374

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Movements in intangible assets in 2017

Goodwill

Licenses

Customer
lists

IRUs

Trademarks

Other(i)

Total

(US$ millions)

Opening balance, net.............
Change in scope (ii) ................
Additions .................................
Amortization charge................
Impairment ..............................
Disposals, net ..........................
Transfers..................................
Transfers to/from assets

held for sale (see note E.
3.).........................................
Exchange rate movements ......
Closing balance, net ..............
Cost or valuation .....................
Accumulated amortization

and impairment....................
Net...........................................

615

3

—

—

(7)

—

(2)

(8)

(1)
599

599

—
599

380

—

40

(49)

(8)

—

3

(50)

7
324

650

(327)
324

32

15

—
(15)
—

—

—

(1)
1
33

225

(192)
33

114

—
(2)
(14)
—

—

8

—

—
105

181

(76)
105

18

—

—
(8)
—

—

—

—

—
10

49

200

1

92
(67)
—
(1)
(28)

(5)
2
194

584

1,359

20

130
(153)
(15)
(1)
(19)

(64)
9
1,265

2,288

(39)
10

(389)
194

(1,022)
1,265

(i) 

(ii) 

Other includes mainly software costs

See note A.1.2.

E.1.4. Cash used for the purchase of intangible assets

Cash used for intangible asset additions

Additions ...........................................................................................................................
Change in accruals and payables for intangibles ..............................................................
Cash used for additions ..................................................................................................

2018

2017

(US$ millions)
158
(10)
148

130
3
133

171

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

E.1.5. Goodwill

Allocation of Goodwill to cash generating units (CGUs), net of exchange rate movements and after 
impairment

Panama (see note A.1.2.)...................................................................................................
El Salvador ........................................................................................................................
Costa Rica .........................................................................................................................
Paraguay............................................................................................................................
Colombia ...........................................................................................................................
Tanzania (Zantel) (see note E.1.6.) ...................................................................................
Other..................................................................................................................................
Total ..................................................................................................................................

2018

2017

(US$ millions)
512
194
116
54
183
4
15
1,077

—
194
123
57
199
10
16
599

E.1.6. Impairment testing of goodwill

Goodwill from CGUs is tested for impairment at least each year and more frequently if events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired. Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed.

Goodwill arising on business combinations is allocated to each of the Group’s CGUs or groups of CGUs that 
are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the 
Group are assigned to those units or groups of units. Each unit or group of units to which the goodwill is allocated:

•  Represents the lowest level within the Group at which the goodwill is monitored for internal management 

purposes; and

• 

Is not larger than an operating segment.

Impairment is determined by assessing the value-in-use and, if appropriate, the fair value less costs to sell of the 

CGU (or group of CGUs), to which goodwill relates.

Impairment testing at December 31, 2018 

Goodwill was tested for impairment by assessing the recoverable amount against the carrying amount of the 
CGU based on discounted cash flows. The cash flow projections used (adjusted operating profit margins, income 
tax, working capital, capex and license renewal cost) are extracted from financial budgets approved by management 
and the Board usually covering a period of five years. This planning horizon reflects industry practice in the 
countries where the Group operates and stage of development or redevelopment of the business in those countries. 
Cash flows beyond this period are extrapolated using a perpetual growth rate of 1.6%–4.6% (2017: 1.1%–3.8%). 
When value-in-use model resulted in the carrying values of the CGUs being higher than their recoverable amount, 
management has determined the fair value less cost of disposal (FVLCD) of the CGUs. Fair value less cost of 
disposal has been determined by using recent offers received from third parties (Level 1).

For the year ended December 31, 2018, and as a result of the annual impairment testing, management concluded 

that the Zantel CGU, part of the Africa segment, should be impaired. Hence, in accordance with IAS 36, an 
impairment loss of $6 million has been allocated to the amount of goodwill allocated to Zantel to reduce the carrying 
amount of our operations in Zantel to its value in use. The impairment has been classified within the caption "Other 
operating income (expenses), net", in the Group’s statement of income. 

For the year ended December 31, 2017, and as a result of the annual impairment testing the Group recognised 
an impairment loss of $15 million related mainly to our operations in Rwanda and on an investment in Guatemala.

172

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Given the recent acquisition date, the goodwill recognized for Cable Onda has not been tested for impairment in 

2018. In addition, no triggering event have occurred that would make us believe that the goodwill should be tested 
for impairment. 

Sensitivity analysis was performed on key assumptions within the impairment tests. The sensitivity analysis 
determined that sufficient margin exists from realistic changes to the assumptions that would not impact the overall 
results of the testing.

Discount rates used in determining recoverable amount

Discount rate after tax (%)

2018

2017

Bolivia ...............................................................................................................................
Chad ..................................................................................................................................
Colombia ...........................................................................................................................
Costa Rica .........................................................................................................................
El Salvador ........................................................................................................................
Paraguay............................................................................................................................
Rwanda (See note A.1.3.)..................................................................................................
Tanzania ............................................................................................................................

10.2

14.8

8.9

10.2
11.7

9.8
n/a

14.4

11.2

15.8

9.9

11.9
13.2

10.2

14.7

14.6

E.2. Property, plant and equipment

E.2.1. Accounting for property, plant and equipment

Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at either historical cost, or the lower of fair value and present 

value of the future minimum lease payments for assets under finance leases, less accumulated depreciation and 
accumulated impairment. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to acquisition of items. The 
carrying amount of replaced parts is derecognized.

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset 

and the remaining life of the license associated with the assets, unless the renewal of the license is contractually 
possible.

Estimated useful lives
Buildings ..........................................................................
Networks (including civil works).....................................
Other.................................................................................

Duration

40 years or lease period, if shorter
5 to 15 years or lease period, if shorter
2 to 7 years

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The assets’ residual value and useful life is 
reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each statement of financial position date. An asset’s carrying amount is 
written down immediately to its recoverable amount if its carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable 
amount.

Construction in progress consists of the cost of assets, labor and other direct costs associated with property, 
plant and equipment being constructed by the Group, or purchased assets which have yet to be deployed. When the 
assets become operational, the related costs are transferred from construction in progress to the appropriate asset 
category and depreciation commences.

173

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, 

when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the 
item can be measured reliably. Ongoing routine repairs and maintenance are charged to the statement of income in 
the financial period in which they are incurred.

Costs of major inspections and overhauls are added to the carrying value of property, plant and equipment and 

the carrying amount of previous major inspections and overhauls is derecognized.

Equipment installed on customer premises which is not sold to customers is capitalized and amortized over the 

customer contract period.

A liability for the present value of the cost to remove an asset on both owned and leased sites (for example cell 

towers) and for assets installed on customer premises (for example set-top boxes), is recognized when a present 
obligation for the removal exists. The corresponding cost of the obligation is included in the cost of the asset and 
depreciated over the useful life of the asset, or lease period if shorter.

Borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of a qualifying asset are 
capitalized as part of the cost of that asset when it is probable that such costs will contribute to future economic 
benefits for the Group and the costs can be measured reliably.

E.2.2. Movements in tangible assets

Movements in tangible assets in 2018 

Network
equipment(ii)

Land and
buildings

Opening balance, net................................
Change in scope (see note A.1.2.) ..............
Additions ....................................................
Impairments/reversal of impairment,net ....
Disposals, net .............................................
Depreciation charge....................................
Asset retirement obligations.......................
Transfers.....................................................
Transfers from/(to) assets held for sale

(see note E.3.) .........................................
Exchange rate movements..........................
Closing balance, net..................................
Cost or valuation ........................................
Accumulated amortization and

impairment..............................................
Net at December 31, 2018 ........................

2,399
276

63

1

(24)

(631)

14

551

(45)
(124)
2,480
6,802

(4,322)

2,480

147

46

1

—
(2)
(11)
1

9

(3)
(8)
181

252

(71)

181

Construction
in progress

(US$ millions)
206

32

626

—
(2)
—

—
(568)

(2)
(8)
284

284

—

284

Other(i)

Total

128

—

7

—

—
(43)
—

14

(2)
(7)
97

409

(312)

97

2,880

354

698

1
(29)
(685)
15

6

(52)
(147)
3,041

7,747

(4,706)

3,041

174

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Movements in tangible assets in 2017 

Network
equipment(ii)

Land and
buildings

Opening balance, net................................
Change in scope .........................................
Additions ....................................................
Impairments/reversal of impairment,net ....
Disposals, net .............................................
Depreciation charge....................................
Asset retirement obligations.......................
Transfers.....................................................
Transfers from/(to) assets held for sale

(see note E.3.) .........................................
Exchange rate movements..........................
Closing balance, net..................................
Cost or valuation ........................................
Accumulated amortization and

impairment..............................................
Net at December 31, 2017 ........................

2,525

2

201

(6)

(115)

(663)

18

613

(184)

9
2,399

6,164

(3,764)

2,399

147
1

—

—

—
(9)
2

7

(3)
2
147
191

(44)

147

Construction
in progress

(US$ millions)
250
—

616

1

3

—

—
(650)

(16)
3
206
206

—

206

Other(i)

Total

135

—

7
(2)
(1)
(53)
—

48

(8)
1
128

477

(349)

128

3,057

3

824
(8)
(114)
(725)
20

19

(211)
15
2,880

7,038

(4,158)

2,880

(i)  Other mainly includes office equipment and motor vehicles.
(ii)  The net carrying amount of network equipment under finance leases at December 31, 2018, was $307 million (2017: $329 

million).

Borrowing costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were not significant.

E.2.3. Cash used for the purchase of tangible assets

Cash used for property, plant and equipment additions

Additions ...................................................................................................
Change in advances to suppliers................................................................
Change in accruals and payables for property, plant and equipment ........
Finance leases............................................................................................
Cash used for additions...........................................................................

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)
824
(8)
26
(192)
650

698
2
(25)
(43)
632

683
(16)
51
1
719

E.3. Assets held for sale

If Millicom decides to sell subsidiaries, investments in joint ventures or associates, or specific non-current 

assets in its businesses, these items qualify as assets held for sale if certain conditions are met.

E.3.1. Classification of assets held for sale

Non-current assets (or disposal groups) are classified as assets held for sale and stated at the lower of carrying 

amount and fair value less costs to sell if their carrying amount is expected to be recovered principally through sale, 
not through continuing use. Liabilities of disposal groups are classified as Liabilities directly associated with assets 
held for sale.

175

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

E.3.2. Millicom’s assets held for sale

The following table summarizes the nature of the assets and liabilities reported under assets held for sale and 

liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale as at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

Assets and liabilities reclassified as held for sale
Senegal operations ............................................................................................................
Towers Paraguay (see note C.3.4.)....................................................................................
Towers Colombia (see note C.3.4.)...................................................................................
Towers El Salvador (see note C.3.4.)................................................................................
Other..................................................................................................................................
Total assets of held for sale .............................................................................................
Senegal operations ............................................................................................................
Towers Paraguay ...............................................................................................................
Total liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale........................................
Net assets held for sale / book value ..............................................................................

As at December 31,

2018

2017

(US$ millions)

—
2
—
1
—
3
—
—
—
3

223
7
1
—
2
233
77
2
79
154

Ghana merger

As mentioned in note A.2.2., on March 3, 2017, Millicom and Bharti Airtel Limited (Airtel) announced that 
they have entered into an agreement for Tigo Ghana Limited and Airtel Ghana Limited to combine their operations 
in Ghana. As per the agreement, Millicom and Airtel have equal ownership and governance rights in the combined 
entity. Necessary regulatory approvals were received in the course of September 2017. As a result, Millicom's 
operations in Ghana have been classified as assets held for sale and discontinued operations as from September 28, 
2017. The merger was completed on October 12, 2017.

The assets and liabilities deconsolidated as a result of the Ghana merger were as follows:

Assets and liabilities reclassified as held for sale – Ghana

Intangible assets, net.................................................................................................................................
Property, plant and equipment, net ...........................................................................................................
Current assets............................................................................................................................................
Cash and cash equivalents ........................................................................................................................
Total assets of disposal group held for sale...........................................................................................
Non-current financial liabilities................................................................................................................
Current liabilities ......................................................................................................................................
Total liabilities of disposal group held for sale .....................................................................................
Net assets / book value............................................................................................................................

October 12,
2017

(US$ millions)
12
77
29
8
126
51
50
102
24

For further details on the effect of the deconsolidation of the operations in Ghana, refer to note A.2.3.

Senegal

As mentioned in note A.1.3. Millicom announced that it had agreed to sell its Senegal business to a consortium 

consisting of NJJ, Sofima (managed by the Axian Group) and Teylium Group, subject to customary closing 
conditions and regulatory approvals. The sale was completed on April 27, 2018 and the operations in Senegal have 
176

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

been deconsolidated resulting in a net gain on disposal of $6 million, including the recycling of foreign currency 
exchange losses accumulated in equity since the creation of the local operations. This gain has been recognized 
under ‘Profit (loss) for the year from discontinued operations, net of tax’.

The assets and liabilities were transferred to assets held for sale in relation to our operations in Senegal as at 

February 7, 2017 and therefore classified as held for sale as at December 31, 2017.

The table below shows the assets and liabilities deconsolidated at the date of the disposal:

Assets and liabilities disposed of in respect of our operations in Senegal 

Intangible assets, net.................................................................................................................................
Property, plant and equipment, net ...........................................................................................................
Other non-current assets ...........................................................................................................................
Current assets............................................................................................................................................
Cash and cash equivalents ........................................................................................................................
Total assets of disposal group held for sale...........................................................................................
Non-current financial liabilities................................................................................................................
Current liabilities ......................................................................................................................................
Total liabilities of disposal group held for sale.........................................................................................
Net assets held for sale / book value ......................................................................................................

April 27, 2018

(US$ millions)
40

126

2

56

3

227

8

73

81

146

Rwanda

As mentioned in note A.1.3. on December 19, 2017, Millicom announced that it has signed an agreement for the 

sale of its Rwanda operations to subsidiaries of Bharti Airtel Limited. The total consideration of the transaction is 
approximately 6x 2017 adjusted EBITDA of the Rwandan operation, payable over two years, consisting of a mix of 
cash, vendor loan note and earn out. 

The Group received regulatory approvals on January 23, 2018 and the sale was subsequently completed on 
January 31, 2018. On January 31, 2018, Millicom's operations in Rwanda have been deconsolidated and no material 
loss on disposal was recognized (its carrying value was aligned to its fair value less costs of disposal as of December 
31, 2017). However, a loss of $32 million has been recognized in 2018 corresponding to the recycling of foreign 
currency exchange losses accumulated in equity since the creation of the local operation. This loss has been 
recognized under ‘Profit (loss) for the year from discontinued operations, net of tax’. The final sale consideration is 
still subject to adjustment under the terms of the sale and purchase agreement with Airtel. Management does not 
expect any material deviation from the initial consideration.

177

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

The table below shows the assets and liabilities deconsolidated at the date of the disposal:

Assets and liabilities disposed of in respect of our operations in Rwanda 

Intangible assets, net.................................................................................................................................
Property, plant and equipment, net ...........................................................................................................
Other non-current assets ...........................................................................................................................
Current assets............................................................................................................................................
Cash and cash equivalents ........................................................................................................................
Total assets of disposal group held for sale...........................................................................................
Non-current financial liabilities................................................................................................................
Current liabilities ......................................................................................................................................
Total liabilities of disposal group held for sale.........................................................................................
Net assets held for sale / book value ......................................................................................................

January 31,
2018

(US$ millions)

12

53

4

14

2

85

11
28

40

46

In accordance with IFRS 5, the Group’s businesses in Rwanda (Q1 2018), Ghana (Q3 2017) and Senegal (Q1 

2017) had been classified as assets held for sale and their results were classified as discontinued operations. 
Comparative figures of the statement of income have therefore been represented accordingly. Financial information 
relating to the discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is set out below. 
Figures shown below are after intercompany eliminations.

Results from discontinued operations 

Revenue .....................................................................................................
Cost of sales...............................................................................................
Operating expenses....................................................................................
Depreciation and amortization ..................................................................
Other operating income (expenses), net ....................................................
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations.............................................
Other expenses linked to the disposal of discontinued operations ............
Operating profit (loss) .............................................................................
Interest income (expense), net...................................................................
Other non-operating (expenses) income, net.............................................
Profit (loss) before taxes..........................................................................
Credit (charge) for taxes, net .....................................................................
Net profit (loss) from discontinued operations .....................................

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)
299
(95)
(131)
(37)
(4)
39
(7)
64
(20)
6
51
—
51

62
(23)
(26)
—
(10)
(29)
(10)
(36)
(3)
—
(39)
—
(39)

371
(119)
(174)
(79)
(6)
32
(19)
6
(23)
(10)
(26)
6
(20)

178

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Cash flows from discontinued operations

Cash from (used in) operating activities, net
Cash from (used in) investing activities, net
Cash from (used in) financing activities, net

4G spectrum (UNE)

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)
26
(33)
(22)

(4)
(6)
—

10
(53)
18

A depreciation catch-up has been recorded in 2016 for $11 million on the 4G spectrum in Colombia. In October 

2016, the date on which UNE stopped rendering 4G services, the 4G spectrum was fully depreciated.

F. Other assets and liabilities

F.1. Trade receivables

Millicom’s trade receivables mainly comprise interconnect receivables from other operators, postpaid mobile 

and residential cable subscribers, as well as B2B customers. The nominal value of receivables adjusted for 
impairment approximates the fair value of trade receivables.

Gross trade receivables .....................................................................................................
Less: provisions for expected credit losses .......................................................................
Trade receivables, net .....................................................................................................

2018

2017

(US$ millions)
592
(249)
343

597
(211)
386

Aging of trade receivables

Neither past due
nor impaired

Past due (net of impairments)

30–90 days

>90 days

Total

(US$ millions)

2018:
Telecom operators .......................................................
Own customers............................................................
Others ..........................................................................
Total............................................................................
2017:
Telecom operators .......................................................
Own customers............................................................
Others ..........................................................................
Total ............................................................................

17

158

36
210

29

186

43

259

9

69

17
95

16

52

16

83

14

19

5
37

4

34

5

43

39

246

58
343

49

273

64

386

Trade receivables are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the 
effective interest method, less provision for expected credit losses. The Group recognizes an allowance for expected 
credit losses (ECLs) applying a simplified approach in calculating the ECLs. Therefore, the Group does not track 
changes in credit risk, but instead recognizes a loss allowance based on lifetime of ECLs at each reporting date. The 

179

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Group has established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-
looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment. The provision for expected credit losses is 
recognized in the consolidated statement of income within Cost of sales.

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not 
quoted in an active market. They are included in current assets, except for those maturing more than 12 months after 
the end of the reporting period. These are classified within non-current assets. Loans and receivables are carried at 
amortized cost using the effective interest method. Gains and losses are recognized in the statement of income when 
the loans and receivables are derecognized or impaired, as well as through the amortization process.

F.2. Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out 
method. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less applicable variable 
selling expenses.

Inventories

Telephone and equipment .................................................................................................
SIM cards ..........................................................................................................................
IRUs ..................................................................................................................................
Other..................................................................................................................................
Inventory at December 31, .............................................................................................

26
4
3
6
39

28
6
3
9
45

2018

2017

(US$ millions)

F.3. Trade payables

Trade payables are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the 

effective interest method where the effect of the passage of time is material.

From time to time, the Group enters into agreements to extend payment terms with various suppliers, and with 

factoring companies when such payments are discounted. The corresponding amount pending payment as of 
December 31, 2018, is recognized in Trade payables for an amount of $26 million (2017: $25 million).

F.4. Current and non-current provisions and other liabilities

Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past 

event, if it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the 
obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. Where the Group expects some or all 
of a provision to be reimbursed, for example under an insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognized as a 
separate asset, but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain.

180

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

The expense relating to any provision is presented in the statement of income net of any reimbursement. If the 

effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects, 
where appropriate, risks specific to the liability. Where discounting is used, increases in the provision due to the 
passage of time are recognized as interest expenses.

F.4.1. Current provisions and other liabilities

Current

2018

2017

(US$ millions)

Deferred revenue(i) ...........................................................................................................
Customer deposits .............................................................................................................
Current legal provisions ....................................................................................................
Tax payables......................................................................................................................
Customer and MFS distributor cash balances...................................................................
Withholding tax on payments to third parties ...................................................................
Other provisions ................................................................................................................
Other current liabilities(ii) ................................................................................................
Total ..................................................................................................................................

85
15
27
68
147
17
7
128
494

86
13
24
57
144
17
1
83
425

(i)  Deferred revenue has partly been reclassified to Contract Liabilities as a result of the adoption of IFRS 15. See the 

'Accounting Policy Changes' note.

(ii)  In the caption "Other current liabilities", for 2018 $38 million of provision for tax risk not related to income tax is included.

F.4.2. Non-current provisions and other liabilities

Non-current

Non-current legal provisions.............................................................................................
Long-term portion of asset retirement obligations............................................................
Long-term portion of deferred income on tower sale and leasebacks ..............................
Long-term employment obligations..................................................................................
Accruals and payables in respect of spectrum and license acquisitions ...........................
Other non-current liabilities ..............................................................................................
Total ..................................................................................................................................

8
77
85
68
41
71
351

15
69
73
76
31
70
335

2018

2017

(US$ millions)

F.5. Assets and liabilities related to contract with customers

Contract assets, net

Long-term portion.....................................................................................................................................
Short-term portion ....................................................................................................................................
Less: provisions for expected credit losses...............................................................................................
Total..........................................................................................................................................................

Contract liabilities

181

2018

(US$ millions)
3
35
(1)
37

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Long-term portion.....................................................................................................................................
Short-term portion ....................................................................................................................................
Total..........................................................................................................................................................

2018

(US$ millions)
1
86
87

The Group recognised revenue for $45 million in 2018 that was included in the contract liability balance at the 

beginning of the year. 

The transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations (unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied) as 
at December 31, 2018 is $42 million ($41 million is expected to be recognized as revenue in the 2020 financial year 
and the remaining $1 million in the 2021 financial year or later) (i).

(i)  This amount does not consider contracts that have an original expected duration of one year or less, neither contracts in 

which consideration from a customer corresponds to the value of the entity’s performance obligation to the customer (i.e. 
billing corresponds to accounting revenue).

Contract costs, net (i)

Net at January 1......................................................................................................................................
Contract costs capitalized .........................................................................................................................
Amortization of contract costs..................................................................................................................
Net at December 31.................................................................................................................................
(i) 

Incremental costs of obtaining a contract are expensed when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that Millicom 
otherwise would have recognized is one year or less.

2018

(US$ millions)
4
4
(4)
4

G. Additional disclosure items

G.1 Fees to auditors

Audit fees...................................................................................................
Audit related fees.......................................................................................
Tax fees......................................................................................................
Other fees...................................................................................................
Total ..........................................................................................................

G.2. Capital and operational commitments

182

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)
4.7
0.3
0.2
0.7
5.9

6.7
0.4
0.2
0.6
7.7

4.3
0.3
0.2
1.8
6.6

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Millicom has a number of capital and operational commitments to suppliers and service providers in the normal 

course of its business. These commitments are mainly contracts for acquiring network and other equipment, and 
leases for towers and other operational equipment.

G.2.1. Capital commitments

At December 31, 2018, the Company and its subsidiaries and joint ventures had fixed commitments to purchase 

network equipment, land and buildings, other fixed assets and intangible assets of $154 million of which $126 
million are due within one year (December 31, 2017: $194 million of which $182 million were due within one year). 
Out of these commitments, respectively $66 million and $56 million related to Millicom’s share in joint ventures. 
(December 31, 2017: $25 million of which $23 million were due within one year).

G.2.2 Lease commitments

Leases

The determination of whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease is based on the substance of the 

arrangement and involves an assessment of whether the fulfillment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a 
specific asset or assets and whether or not the arrangement conveys a right to use the asset. The sale and leaseback 
of towers and related site operating leases and service contracts are accounted for in accordance with the underlying 
characteristics of the assets, and the terms and conditions of the lease agreements. On transfer to the tower 
companies, the portion of the towers leased back are accounted for as operating leases or finance leases according to 
the criteria set out above. The portion of towers being leased back represents the dedicated part of each tower on 
which Millicom’s equipment is located and was derived from the average technical capacity of the towers. Rights to 
use the land on which the towers are located are accounted for as operating leases, and costs of services for the 
towers are recorded as operating expenses.

Operating leases

Operating leases are all other leases that are not finance leases. Operating lease payments are recognized as 

expenses in the consolidated statement of income on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Operating leases mainly comprise land in which cell towers are located (including those related to towers sold 

and leased back) and buildings. Total operating lease expense from continuing operations for the year ended 
December 31, 2018, was $155 million (2017: $155 million; 2016: $159 million – see note B.2.).

Annual operating lease commitments from continuing operations

Within one year .................................................................................................................
Between one and five years ..............................................................................................
After five years..................................................................................................................
Total ..................................................................................................................................

2018 (i)

2017 (i)

(US$ millions)
127
412
262
800

130
372
258
759

(i)  The Group’s share in joint ventures operating lease commitments amount to US$312 million (2017: US$194 million; 2016: 

US$210 million) and are excluded from the table above.

Finance leases

Finance leases, which transfer substantially all risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased item to 
the lessee, are capitalized at the inception of the lease at the fair value of the leased asset or, if lower, at the present 
value of the minimum lease payments. Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and reduction of 
the lease liability so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance 
charges are charged directly against income. Where a finance lease results from a sale and leaseback transaction, any 

183

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

excess of sales proceeds over the carrying amount of the assets is deferred and amortized over the lease term. 
Capitalized leased assets are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets, or the lease term 
if there is no reasonable certainty that the Group will obtain ownership by the end of the lease term.

Finance leases mainly comprise lease of tower space in El Salvador, Paraguay, Tanzania and Colombia (see note 

C.3.4.), lease of poles in Colombia and tower sharing in other countries. Other financial leases mainly consist of 
lease agreements relating to vehicles and IT equipment.

Annual minimum finance lease commitments from continuing operations

Within one year .................................................................................................................
Between one and five years ..............................................................................................
After five years..................................................................................................................
Total ..................................................................................................................................

99
400
415
914

97
404
477
978

2018 (i)

2017 (i)

(US$ millions)

(i)  The Group’s share in joint ventures finance lease commitments amount to $1 million (2017: $5 million) and are excluded 

from the table above. 

The corresponding finance lease liabilities at December 31, 2018, were $353 million (2017: $365 million). 

Interest expense on finance lease liabilities amounted to $92 million for the year 2018 (2017: $65 million).

G.3. Contingent liabilities

G.3.1. Litigation and legal risks

The Company and its operations are contingently liable with respect to lawsuits, legal, regulatory, commercial 

and other legal risks that arise in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2018, the total amount of 
claims and litigation risks against Millicom and its operations was $687 million, of which $5 million related to its 
share in joint ventures (December 31, 2017: $438 million, of which $5 million related to its share in joint ventures).

As at December 31, 2018, $26 million has been provided for these risks in the consolidated statement of 
financial position (December 31, 2017: $29 million). The Group’s share of provisions made by the joint ventures 
was $4 million (December 31, 2017: $2 million). While it is not possible to ascertain the ultimate legal and financial 
liability with respect to these claims and risks, the ultimate outcome is not anticipated to have a material effect on 
the Group’s financial position and operations.

Improper filling of shareholding in MIC Tanzania Public Limited Company

In June 2016, Millicom was served with claims by a third party seeking to exert rights as a shareholder of MIC 

Tanzania Public Limited Company. In June 2015, Millicom identified that an incorrect filing related to MIC 
Tanzania Public Limited Company had been made in the commercial register, causing the register to incorrectly 
indicate that shares in the local subsidiary were owned by this third party. On July 26, 2018, the Court of Appeal of 
Tanzania, the country’s highest court, reaffirmed in a ruling that MIC Tanzania Public Limited Company remains 
owned and controlled by Millicom. Late 2018, the opposite party has filed a review of the ruling by the same Court 
of Appeals, which already ruled in Millicom's favor. Millicom considers the success of this review as remote and 
therefore continues to control and fully consolidate MIC Tanzania Public Limited Company.

Ongoing investigation by the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG)

On July 14, 2017, the CICIG disclosed an ongoing investigation into alleged illegal campaign financing that 

includes a competitor of Comcel, our Guatemalan joint venture. The CICIG further indicated that the investigation 

184

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

would include Comcel.  On November 23 and 24, 2017, Guatemala's attorney general and CICIG executed search 
warrants on the offices of Comcel.  As at December 31, 2018, the matter is still under investigation, and 
Management has not been able to assess the potential impact on these consolidated financial statements of any 
remedial actions that may need to be taken as a result of the investigations, or penalties that may be imposed by law 
enforcement authorities. Accordingly, no provision has been recorded as of December 31, 2018. 

Other

At December 31, 2018, Millicom has various other less significant claims which are not disclosed separately in 

these consolidated financial statements because they are either not material or the related risk is remote.

G.3.2. Tax related risks and uncertain tax position

The Group operates in developing countries where the tax systems, regulations and enforcement processes have 
varying stages of development creating uncertainty regarding the application of the tax law and interpretation of tax 
treatments. The Group is also subject to regular tax audits in the countries where it operates. When there is 
uncertainty over whether the taxation authority will accept a specific tax treatment under the local tax law, that tax 
treatment is therefore uncertain. The resolution of tax positions taken by the Group, through negotiations with 
relevant tax authorities or through litigation, can take several years to complete and, in some cases, it is difficult to 
predict the ultimate outcome. Therefore, judgment is required to determine provisions for taxes.

In assessing whether and how an uncertain tax treatment affects the determination of taxable profit (tax loss), 
tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits and tax rates, the Group assumes that a taxation authority with the 
right to examine amounts reported to it will examine those amounts and have full knowledge of all relevant 
information when making those examinations.

The Group has a process in place to identify its uncertain tax positions. Management then considers whether or 

not it is probable that a taxation authority will accept an uncertain tax treatment. On that basis, the identified risks 
are split into three categories (i) remote risks (risk of outflow of tax payments are up to 20%), (ii) possible risks (risk 
of outflow of tax payments assessed from 21% to 49%) and probable risks (risk of outflow is more than 50%). The 
process is repeated every quarter by the Group.

If the Group concludes that it is probable or certain that the taxation authority will accept the tax treatment, the 

risks are categorized either as possible or remote, and it determines the taxable profit (tax loss), tax bases, unused 
tax losses, unused tax credits or tax rates consistently with the tax treatment used or planned to be used in its income 
tax filings. The risks considered as possible are not provisioned but disclosed as tax contingencies in the Group 
consolidated financial statements while remote risks are neither provisioned nor disclosed.

If the Group concludes that it is probable that the taxation authority will not accept the Group’s interpretation of 

the uncertain tax treatment, the risks are categorized as probable, and are presented to reflect the effect of 
uncertainty in determining the related taxable profit (tax loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits or tax 
rates by generally using the most likely amount method – the single most likely amount in a range of possible 
outcomes.

If an uncertain tax treatment affects both deferred tax and current tax, the Group makes consistent estimates and 

judgments for both. For example, an uncertain tax treatment may affect both taxable profits used to determine the 
current tax and tax bases used to determine deferred tax.

If facts and circumstances change, the Group reassesses the judgments and estimates regarding the uncertain tax 

position taken.

At December 31, 2018, potential tax risks estimated by the Group amount to $254 million, of which provisions 

of $47 million have been recorded representing the probable amount of eventual claims and required payments 
related to those risks (2017: $313 million of which provisions of $53 million were recorded). Out of these potential 
claims and provisions, respectively $29 million (2017: $38 million) and $2 million (2017: $2 million) related to 
Millicom’s share in these joint ventures.

185

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

G.4. Non-cash investing and financing activities

Non-cash investing and financing activities from continuing operations

Note

2018

2017

2016

(US$ millions)

Investing activities

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment,

including finance leases .................................................
Asset retirement obligations ..............................................
Acquisition of subsidiaries, joint ventures and

associates, net of cash acquired......................................

Financing activities
Finance leases ....................................................................
Share based compensation .................................................

E.2.2.

E.2.2.

A.1.2.

G.2.2.

B.4.1.

(66)
15

30

(43)
22

(174)
(20)

—

192

22

34
(17)

—

1

14

G.5. Related party balances and transactions

The Group’s significant related parties are:

•  Kinnevik AB (Kinnevik) and subsidiaries, Millicom’s principal shareholder;

•  Helios Towers Africa Ltd (HTA), in which Millicom holds a direct or indirect equity interest (see note A.

3.2.); 

•  EPM and subsidiaries (EPM), the non-controlling shareholder in our Colombian operations (see note A.

1.4.); 

•  Miffin Associates Corp and subsidiaries (Miffin), our joint venture partner in Guatemala.

•  Cable Onda partners and subsidiaries, the non-controlling shareholders in our Panama operations (see 

note A.1.2.).

Kinnevik

Millicom’s principal shareholder is Kinnevik. Kinnevik is a Swedish holding company with interests in the 

telecommunications, media, publishing, paper and financial services industries. At December 31, 2018, Kinnevik 
owned approximately 37% of Millicom (2017: 37%). During 2018, 2017 and 2016, Kinnevik did not purchase any 
Millicom shares. There are no significant loans made by Millicom to or for the benefit of Kinnevik or Kinnevik 
controlled entities.

During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company purchased services from Kinnevik subsidiaries including fraud 

detection, procurement and professional services. Transactions and balances with Kinnevik Group companies are 
disclosed under Other in the tables below. Also refer to note A.3. for further details with respect to the disposal of 
one portion of our investment in Milvik AB.

186

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

Helios Towers

Millicom sold its tower assets and leased back a portion of space on the towers in several African countries and 

contracted for related operation and management services with HTA. The Group has future lease commitments in 
respect of the tower companies (see note G.2.2.).

Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) 

EPM is a state-owned, industrial and commercial enterprise, owned by the municipality of Medellin, and 
provides electricity, gas, water, sanitation, and telecommunications. EPM owns 50% of our operations in Colombia.

Miffin Associates Corp (Miffin)

The Group purchases and sells products and services from and to the Miffin Group. Transactions with Miffin 
represent recurring commercial operations such as purchase of handsets, and sale of airtime.

Cable Onda Partners

Our partners in Panama are the non-controlling shareholders of Cable Onda and own 20% of the company. 
Additionally, they also hold interests in several entities which have purchasing and selling recurring commercial 
operations with Cable Onda (such as the sale of content costs, delivery of broadband services, etc.).

Expenses from transactions with related parties

2018

2017

2016

Purchases of goods and services from Miffin ...........................................
Purchases of goods and services from EPM..............................................
Lease of towers and related services from HTA........................................
Other expenses...........................................................................................
Total ..........................................................................................................

(US$ millions)
(181)
(36)
(28)
(4)
(250)

(173)
(40)
(28)
(3)
(244)

(167)
(22)
(35)
(9)
(233)

Income and gains from transactions with related parties

2018

2017

2016

Sale of goods and services to EPM ...........................................................
Sale of goods and services to Miffin .........................................................
Other revenue ............................................................................................
Total ..........................................................................................................

(US$ millions)
18
277
1
295

17
284
2
303

18
261
10
289

As at December 31, the Company had the following balances with related parties:

Non-current and current liabilities
Payables to Guatemala joint venture(i) .............................................................................
Payables to Honduras joint venture(ii)..............................................................................
Payables to EPM ...............................................................................................................
Other accounts payable .....................................................................................................
Sub-total ............................................................................................................................
Finance lease liabilities to tower companies(iii)...............................................................
Total ..................................................................................................................................

187

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

(US$ millions)

315
143
14
9
482
99
580

273
135
3
10
421
108
529

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

(i)  Shareholder loans bearing interest. Out of the amount above, $135 million are due over more than one year.

(ii)  Amount payable mainly consist of dividend advances for which dividends are expected to be declared later in 2019 and/or 

shareholder loans.

(iii)  Disclosed under Debt and other financing in the statement of financial position.

Non-current and current assets
Receivables from EPM .....................................................................................................
Receivables from Guatemala and Honduras joint ventures ..............................................
Advance payments to Helios Towers Tanzania.................................................................
Receivable from AirtelTigo Ghana(i) ...............................................................................
Other accounts receivable .................................................................................................
Total ..................................................................................................................................

(i)  Disclosed under Other non-current assets in the statement of financial position. See note A.2.2.

Year ended December 31,

2018

2017

(US$ millions)

5
20
6
41
1
73

3
25
8
40
1
77

H. IPO – Millicom’s operations in Tanzania

In June 2016, an amendment to the Electronic and Postal Communications Act (“EPOCA”) in the Finance Act 

2016 required all Tanzanian licensed telecom operators to sell 25% of the authorised share capital in a public 
offering on the Dar Es Salaam Stock Exchange. Early 2017, Tigo Tanzania, Zantel and Telesis each received from 
the Tanzanian Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) a notice of material breach of the license giving 
thirty-days to comply. Millicom has signaled its intention for its subsidiaries to comply with the law and list its 
businesses but did not complete the public offerings by such time until the incorrect filing related to Tigo Tanzania 
made in the commercial register was corrected (see note G.3.1.). Accordingly, Millicom’s businesses in Tanzania 
may face sanctions from the regulator or other government bodies, which could include financial penalties, or even 
suspension or cancellation of its license although to-date there has been no notification from the TCRA of any 
indication or intention to proceed with sanctions. Management is currently not able to assess the financial impact on 
its consolidated financial statements (although the Company deems the suspension or cancellation of the license to 
be unlikely) and therefore, no provision has been recorded as of December 31, 2018.

This said, the Group is currently working on the preliminary steps (e.g., converting Tigo Tanzania into a public 

limited company) with the view of listing in the first half of 2019.

I. Subsequent events

Nasdaq

On January 9, 2019, Millicom shares began trading on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in the U.S. under ticker 

symbol TIGO.

Dividend

On February 7, 2019, Millicom’s Board decided to propose to the AGM of the shareholders a dividend 

distribution of US$2.64 per share to be paid in two equal installments in May and November 2019, out of Millicom 
profits for the year ended December 31, 2018. The AGM to vote this matter is scheduled for May 2, 2019.

 Telefónica acquisition

188

Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – continued

 On February 20, 2019, the Group announced it has entered into agreements with Telefónica S.A. and certain of 
its affiliates (Telefónica), to acquire the entire share capital of Telefónica Móviles Panamá, S.A., Telefónica de Costa 
Rica TC, S.A. (and its wholly owned subsidiary, Telefónica Gestión de Infraestructura y Sistemas de Costa Rica, 
S.A.) and Telefonía Celular de Nicaragua, S.A. (together, Telefonica CAM) for a combined enterprise value of 
$1,650 million (the Transaction) payable in cash. The Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, 
including regulatory approval in each market, and closings are expected during H2 2019. Millicom has secured 
bridge funding commitments to finance the acquisition, and the bridge will be refinanced predominantly with the 
issuance of new debt by Millicom and its operating subsidiaries. 

189

Independent Auditor’s Report 

To the shareholders of Millicom International Cellular S.A. 
2, rue du Fort Bourbon, L-1249 Luxembourg

Report on the audit of the 
consolidated financial statements

Opinion

We have audited the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements of 
Millicom International Cellular S.A. (“the 
Group”) included on page 95 to page 189, 
which comprise the consolidated 
statement of financial position as of 
December 31, 2018, the consolidated 
statement of income, the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income, the 
consolidated statement of cash flows, and 
the consolidated statement of changes in 
equity for the year then ended, and a 
summary of significant accounting policies 
and other explanatory information.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial 
statements give a true and fair view of the 
financial position of Millicom International 
Cellular S.A., as of December 31, 2018,  
and of its financial performance and its 
cash flows for the year then ended in 
accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as adopted by the 
European Union.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance 
with EU Regulation N° 537/2014, the Law 
of July 23, 2016 on the audit profession 
(the “Law of July 23, 2016”) and with 
International Standards on Auditing 
(“ISAs”) as adopted for Luxembourg by 
the “Commission de Surveillance du 
Secteur Financier” (“CSSF”).

Our responsibilities under those 
Regulation, Law, and standards are 
further described in the “Responsibilities 
of the ‘réviseur d’entreprises agréé’ for 
the audit of the consolidated financial 
statements“ section of our report. We are 
also independent of the Group in 
accordance with the International Ethics 
Standards Board for Accountants’ Code 
of Ethics for Professional Accountants 
(IESBA Code) as adopted for Luxembourg 
by the CSSF together with the ethical 

requirements that are relevant to our 
audit of the consolidated financial 
statements in Luxembourg, and we have 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities 
under those ethical requirements. We 
believe that the audit evidence we have 
obtained is sufficient and appropriate to 
provide a basis for our opinion.

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, 
in our professional judgment, were of  
most significance in our audit of the 
consolidated financial statements of the 
current period. These matters were 
addressed in the context of our audit of 
the consolidated financial statements as a 
whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, 
and we do not provide a separate opinion 
on these matters.

1. Revenue recognition - accuracy of 
revenue recorded given the complexity 
of systems

Risk identified

The Group’s revenue consists of mobile 
and data telephony services, corporate 
solutions, fixed-line broadband, fixed-line 
telephone, cable TV, and MFS to retail and 
business customers.

Revenue from these services is considered 
a significant risk due to both the bundling 
of these services and the complexity of the 
Group’s systems and processes used to 
record revenue. Also, the application of 
revenue recognition accounting standards 
is complex and involves a number of key 
judgments and estimates, especially in the 
light of the IFRS 15 recent application.

Our answer

Our audit procedures over revenue 
included, among others:

• 

 We understood and assessed the 
overall IT control environment and the 
IT controls in place, assisted by our 
information technology specialists. We 

tested the operating effectiveness of 
controls around access rights, system 
development, program changes , and 
IT dependent business controls to 
establish that changes to the system 
were appropriately authorized and also 
developed and implemented properly 
including those over: set-up of customer 
accounts, pricing data, segregation of 
duties, and the linkage to usage data 
that drives revenue recognition.

 We tested the end-to-end reconciliation 
from business support systems to billing 
and rating systems to the general 
ledger. This testing included validating 
material journal entries processed 
between the billing systems and 
general ledger.

 We tested transactions for main 
revenues streams (calls, data, SMS, 
content).

 We assessed the accounting applied to 
commercial offers, particularly in light 
of the revenue recognition criteria set 
by IFRS 15.

 We assessed the adequacy of the 
assumptions used by the Management 
in the process of determination of 
significant judgments and estimates 
relating to the application of IFRS 15. 
Those judgments include mainly the 
determination of the Standalone 
Selling Price of handsets, assessment of 
the Adjusted Contract Term, agent vs. 
principal considerations, and the use of 
practical expedient in relation to the 
significant financing component.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 We performed tests on the accuracy of 
customer bill generation on a sample 
basis and testing of a sample of the 
credits and discounts applied to 
customer bills.

• 

 We tested substantively deferred 
income, through validation reports used 
in its determination at period end.

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2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixIndependent Auditor’s Report–continued

To the shareholders of Millicom International Cellular S.A.

• 

• 

• 

• 

 We tested cash receipts for a sample of 
customers back to the customer invoice.

 We performed substantive analytical 
procedures on revenue and deferred 
revenue based on our industry 
knowledge, forming an expectation of 
revenue based on key performance 
indicators taking into consideration 
disconnections, installations, changes in 
rates, and trends in deferred income.

 We assessed the adequacy of the 
provision for impairment of trade 
receivables, including the 
appropriateness of the methodology 
used to calculate the provision, and 
analyzing individual significant long 
outstanding balances.

 We assessed the adequacy of the 
Group’s disclosures in respect of the 
accounting policies on revenue 
recognition as disclosed in Note B.1.1 of 
the Consolidated Financial Statements.

2. Carrying value of goodwill and cash 
generating units (CGUs)

Risk identified 

Under EU-IFRSs, the Group is required to 
annually test the amount of goodwill for 
impairment. This annual impairment test 
was significant to our audit because the 
balance of USD$1,077 million as of 
December 31, 2018 is material to the 
consolidated financial statements. In 
addition, the Group’s assessment process 
includes significant judgments and is 
based on assumptions derived from the 
Group’s five-year plan, which are affected 
by expected future market or economic 
conditions.

Our answer 

Our audit procedures included, among 
others, an assessment of the historical 
accuracy of management’s estimates and 
budgets, evaluation, and assessment of 

the assumptions, methodologies, CGU 
determination, the WACC, and data used 
by the Group, for example by comparing 
them to external data. We have involved 
our valuation experts to assist us with our 
assessment of the WACC, expected 
inflation rates, and the appropriateness of 
the model used. Furthermore, we have 
analyzed sensitivities if a lower growth rate 
or higher WACC were used. The Group’s 
disclosures about goodwill are included in 
Notes E.1.5 and E.1.6.

3. Recognition of tax contingencies 
and tax assets

Risk identified 

Income tax positions were significant to 
our audit because the assessment process 
is complex and involves a high degree of 
judgment and the amounts involved are 
material to the consolidated financial 
statements as a whole. The Group’s 
operations are subject to income taxes in 
various jurisdictions resulting in different 
subjective and complex interpretation of 
local tax laws as uncertainty prevails in the 
emerging market economies in which 
Millicom is operating. In addition, the 
global tax environment worldwide 
continues to evolve and becomes more 
complex. Management exercises 
judgment in assessing the level of provision 
required for taxation when such taxes are 
based on the interpretation of complex tax 
laws. The future actual outcome of the 
decisions concerning these tax exposures 
may result in materially higher or lower 
amounts than the accrual included in the 
accompanying Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

The Group’s deferred income tax assets as 
at December 31, 2018 amount to 
USD$202 million. Under EU-IFRS, the 
Group is required to periodically determine 
the valuation of deferred tax asset 
positions. This area was significant to our 
audit because of the related complexity of 

the valuation process which involves 
significant management judgment, given 
it is based on assumptions that are 
affected by expected future market or 
economic conditions. 

Our answer

Our procedures included, among others, 
assessing the appropriateness of 
management’s assumptions and 
estimates in relation to uncertain tax 
positions, and considering advice received 
by management from external parties to 
support their position. We have involved 
our tax specialists, where relevant, to 
consider management’s assessment of the 
tax positions and related provision/liability 
accruals when necessary.

We assessed the business plans to 
determine the appropriateness of 
management’s assessment that 
recovering the deferred tax assets based 
on future taxable profits within the five 
year plan approved by the Board of 
Directors is probable and assessed the 
adequacy of the assumptions and 
sensitivities in such business plans.

We also assessed the adequacy of the 
Group’s disclosures in respect of the tax 
contingencies and tax positions as set out 
in Note B.6 and G.3.2.

4. Capitalization and asset lives

Risk Identified 

The net book value of fixed assets at 
December 31, 2018 is USD$5,415 million. 
The assessment and timing of whether 
assets meet the capitalization criteria set 
out in the relevant accounting standards, 
the estimation of appropriate useful 
economic lives, and the assessment of 
whether any impairment indicators are 
present, such as redundant assets, as well 
as the identification and the classification 
of leases, all require judgment.

191
2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixIndependent Auditor’s Report–continued

To the shareholders of Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Our answer

Our audit procedures included, among 
others:

• 

• 

• 

•	

• 

• 

 We evaluated the design and testing 
the operating effectiveness of controls 
around the asset capitalization cycle.

 We considered material contracts 
signed during the year regarding new 
indefeasible rights of use (IRU), licenses, 
frequency charges, or broadcasting 
rights to assess the appropriateness of 
accounting treatment.

 We assessed management 
assumptions over the carrying value 
and useful economic life of key assets 
by consideration of internal and 
external available data. 

	We	tested	a	sample	of	fixed	asset	
additions to third-party evidence such 
as purchase invoice and bank 
statement to assess the valuation and 
appropriateness of capitalization of 
those additions.

 We considered the circumstances as to 
whether any additions or prevailing 
events would give rise to indicators of 
impairment such as redundant assets.

 We assessed the adequacy of the 
Group’s disclosures in respect of PP&E 
and intangible assets as set out in 
Notes E.2 and E.1.

5. Ongoing investigation by the 
International Commission Against 
Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG)

Risk identified 

On July 14, 2017, the International 
Commission Against Impunity in 
Guatemala (CICIG), disclosed an ongoing 
investigation into alleged illegal campaign 
financing	that	includes	Comcel.	The	CICIG	
further indicated that the investigation 
would include Comcel. On November 23 
and 24, 2017, Guatemala’s attorney 

general and CICIG executed search 
warrants	on	the	offices	of	Comcel.

Considering the current situation, the 
Group has not been able to estimate the 
outcome of these cases and therefore the 
potential	financial	impact	on	its	financial	
position, and accordingly, has disclosed 
these matters in Note G.3.1of the 
consolidated	financial	statements.

Our answer

Our audit procedures included, among 
others:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 We inquired of Millicom’s lawyers 
dealing with the matter and we 
obtained	external	confirmation	from	
these lawyers as part of our audit 
procedures. We also inquired of Group 
management on the matter.

 We inquired of the Head of Compliance 
to understand the remediation actions 
taken from an internal control 
perspective and involved our forensic 
specialists to discuss such remediation 
with management.

 We tested that the Millicom’s updated 
Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption policy 
and Code of Conduct have been rolled 
out in the Group’s operations.

 We performed a test of controls over 
the procure-to-pay process.

 We assessed the adequacy of the 
Group’s disclosures in respect of these 
matters as set out in Note G.3.1.

6. Business combination of Cable 
Onda

Risk Identified 

The	Group	acquired	control	over,	and	
therefore consolidated Cable Onda as of 
December	13,	2018.	The	related	
disclosures	are	included	in	Notes	A.1.2.	The	
acquisition is material, complex, and 
contains	significant	judgment	in	relation	to	

the	purchase	price	allocation.	The	Group,	
assisted by its external valuation 
specialists, determined the fair value of 
Cable	Onda’s	identifiable	assets	and	
liabilities, which included a number of 
assumptions such as useful life of assets, 
customer churn, and contingent liabilities. 
The	purchase	price	allocation	resulted	in	a	
remaining goodwill of USD$512 million. 
The	purchase	price	allocation	remains	
provisional as of December 31, 2018.

Our answer

Our audit procedures included, amongst 
others:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 We assessed the sale/purchase 
agreements and tested the payment of 
the purchase price to the sellers and we 
assessed the related accounting 
treatment including for the put and call 
options and the transaction costs.

 We assessed the competence and 
relevant experience of the expert 
engaged by management in order to 
perform the purchase price allocation. 

 We used our own valuation specialists 
to audit the reasonableness of 
management’s valuation 
methodologies and assumptions, using 
source data and market data. 

 We assessed the sensitivity of 
management’s estimates and 
assumptions used in the purchase price 
allocation and audited the adequacy of 
the related disclosures in Note A.1.2 to 
the	consolidated	financial	statements.

 We performed an audit of Cable 
Onda’s opening balance-sheet as of 
November 30, 2018 and reviewed 
significant	transactions	up	to	December	
13, 2018.

• 

 We assessed the adequacy of the 
Group’s disclosures in respect of these 
matters as set out in Note A.1.2.

192
2 0 18 M I L L IC O M IN T E G R AT E D  R E P O R T

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixIndependent Auditor’s Report–continued

To the shareholders of Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Other information

The Board of Directors is responsible for 
the other information. The other 
information comprises the information 
included in the consolidated management 
report on page 92 and the accompanying 
corporate governance statement on pages 
57 to 91 but does not include the 
consolidated financial statements and our 
report of “réviseur d’entreprises agréé” 
thereon.

Our opinion on the consolidated financial 
statements does not cover the other 
information and we do not express any 
form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the 
consolidated financial statements, our 
responsibility is to read the other 
information and, in doing so, consider 
whether the other information is materially 
inconsistent with the consolidated financial 
statements or our knowledge obtained in 
the audit or otherwise appears to be 
materially misstated. If, based on the work 
we have performed, we conclude that 
there is a material misstatement of this 
other information, we are required to 
report this fact. We have nothing to report 
in this regard.

Responsibilities of the Board of 
Directors and of those charged with 
governance for the consolidated 
financial statements 

The Board of Directors is responsible for 
the preparation and fair presentation of 
the consolidated financial statements in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 
European Union, and for such internal 
control as management determines is 
necessary to enable the preparation of 
consolidated financial statements that are 
free from material misstatement, whether 
due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial 
statements, the Board of Directors is 

responsible for assessing the Group’s ability 
to continue as a going concern, disclosing, 
as applicable, matters related to going 
concern and using the going concern basis 
of accounting unless management either 
intends to liquidate the Group or to cease 
operations, or has no realistic alternative 
but to do so.

Those charged with governance are 
responsible for overseeing the Group’s 
financial reporting process.

Responsibilities of the “réviseur 
d’entreprises agréé” for the audit of 
the consolidated financial statements 

The objectives of our audit are to obtain 
reasonable assurance about whether the 
consolidated financial statements as a 
whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or 
error, and to issue a report of the “réviseur 
d’entreprises agréé” that includes our 
opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high 
level of assurance, but is not a guarantee 
that an audit conducted in accordance 
with EU Regulation N° 537/2014, the Law 
of July 23, 2016 and with the ISAs as 
adopted for Luxembourg by the CSSF will 
always detect a material misstatement 
when it exists. Misstatements can arise 
from fraud or error and are considered 
material if, individually or taken together, 
they could reasonably be expected to 
influence the economic decisions of users 
taken on the basis of these consolidated 
financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with EU 
Regulation N° 537/2014, the Law of July 
23, 2016 and with ISAs as adopted for 
Luxembourg by the CSSF, we exercise 
professional judgment and maintain 
professional skepticism throughout the 
audit. We also:

• 

• 

• 

fraud or error, design and perform audit 
procedures responsive to those risks, 
and obtain audit evidence that is 
sufficient and appropriate to provide a 
basis for our opinion. The risk of not 
detecting a material misstatement 
resulting from fraud is higher than for 
one resulting from error, as fraud may 
involve collusion, forgery, intentional 
omissions, misrepresentations, or the 
override of internal control.

 Obtain an understanding of internal 
control relevant to the audit in order to 
design audit procedures that are 
appropriate in the circumstances, but 
not for the purpose of expressing an 
opinion on the effectiveness of the 
Group’s internal control.

 Evaluate the appropriateness of 
accounting policies used and the 
reasonableness of accounting 
estimates and related disclosures made 
by management.

 Conclude on the appropriateness of 
management’s use of the going 
concern basis of accounting and, based 
on the audit evidence obtained, 
whether a material uncertainty exists 
related to events or conditions that may 
cast significant doubt on the Group’s 
ability to continue as a going concern. If 
we conclude that a material uncertainty 
exists, we are required to draw attention 
in our report of the “réviseur 
d’entreprises agréé” to the related 
disclosures in the consolidated financial 
statements or, if such disclosures are 
inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our 
conclusions are based on the audit 
evidence obtained up to the date of our 
auditor’s report. However, future events 
or conditions may cause the Group to 
cease to continue as a going concern.

• 

 Identify and assess the risks of material 
misstatement of the consolidated 
financial statements, whether due to 

• 

 Evaluate the overall presentation, 
structure and content of the 
consolidated financial statements, 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixIndependent Auditor’s Report–continued

To the shareholders of Millicom International Cellular S.A.

including the disclosures, and whether 
the consolidated financial statements 
represent the underlying transactions 
and events in a manner that achieves 
fair presentation.

• 

 Obtain sufficient appropriate audit 
evidence regarding the consolidated 
financial information of the entities or 
business activities within the Group to 
express an opinion on the consolidated 
financial statements. We are 
responsible for the direction, supervision 
and performance of the group audit. 
We remain solely responsible for our 
audit opinion.

We communicate with those charged with 
governance regarding, among other 
matters, the planned scope and timing of 
the audit and significant audit findings, 
including any significant deficiencies in 
internal control that we identify during our 
audit.

We also provide those charged with 
governance with a statement that we have 
complied with relevant ethical 
requirements regarding independence, 
and to communicate with them all 
relationships and other matters that may 
reasonably be thought to bear on our 
independence, and where applicable, 
related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with 
those charged with governance, we 
determine those matters that were of 
most significance in the audit of the 
consolidated financial statements of the 
current period and are therefore the key 
audit matters. We describe these matters 
in our auditor’s report unless law or 
regulation precludes public disclosure 
about the matter. 

Report on other legal and regulatory 
requirements

We have been appointed as “réviseur 
d’entreprises agréé” by the General 
Meeting of the Shareholders on May 4, 
2018 and the duration of our uninterrupted 
engagement, including previous renewals 
and reappointments, is seven years.

The consolidated management report on 
page 92 is consistent with the consolidated 
financial statements and has been 
prepared in accordance with applicable 
legal requirements.

The accompanying corporate governance 
statement on pages 57 to 91 is the 
responsibility of the Board of Directors. The 
information required by article 68ter 
paragraph (1) letters c) and d) of the law of 
December 19, 2002 on the commercial 
and companies register and on the 

accounting records and annual accounts of 
undertakings, as amended, is consistent 
with the consolidated financial statements 
and has been prepared in accordance with 
applicable legal requirements.

We confirm that the audit opinion is 
consistent with the additional report to the 
audit committee or equivalent.

We confirm that the prohibited non-audit 
services referred to in EU Regulation No 
537/2014 were not provided and that we 
remained independent of the Group in 
conducting the audit.

Other matter

The corporate governance statement 
includes the information required by article 
68ter paragraph (1) of the law of 
December 19, 2002 on the commercial 
and companies register and on the 
accounting records and annual accounts of 
undertakings, as amended.

Ernst & Young

Société anonyme

Cabinet de révision agréé

Olivier Lemaire

Luxembourg February 28, 2019

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixDisclaimer

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements included herein that are not 
historical facts, including without limitation 
statements concerning future strategy, 
plans, objectives, expectations and 
intentions, projected financial results, 
liquidity, growth, and prospects are 
forward-looking statements. Such 
forward-looking statements involve a 
number of risks and uncertainties and 
are subject to change at any time. This 
includes, but is not limited to, Millicom’s 
expectation and ability to pay semi-annual 
cash dividends on its common stock in 
the future, subject to the determination 
by the Board of Directors, and based on 
an evaluation of company earnings, 
financial condition and requirements, 
business conditions, capital allocation 
determinations and other factors, risks, 
and uncertainties. In the event such risks 
or uncertainties materialize, Millicom’s 
results could be materially adversely 
affected. The risks and uncertainties 
include, but are not limited to, the 
following:

•  Global economic conditions and 

foreign exchange rate fluctuations as 
well as local economic conditions in 
the markets we serve;

•  Telecommunications usage levels, 

including traffic and customer growth;

•  Competitive forces, including pricing 
pressures, the ability to connect to 
other operators’ networks, and our 
ability to retain market share in the 
face of competition from existing and 
new market entrants as well as 
industry consolidation;

•  Legal or regulatory developments and 
changes, or changes in governmental 
policy, including with respect to the 
availability of spectrum and licenses, 
the level of tariffs, tax matters, the 
terms of interconnection, customer 
access, and international settlement 
arrangements;

•  Adverse legal or regulatory disputes or 

proceedings;

•  The success of our business, operating, 
and financing initiatives and strategies, 
including partnerships and capital 
expenditure plans;

•  The level and timing of the growth and 
profitability of new initiatives, start-up 
costs associated with entering new 
markets, the successful deployment of 
new systems, and applications to 
support new initiatives;

•   Relationships with key suppliers and 
costs of handsets and other equipment;

•  Our ability to successfully pursue 

acquisitions, investments or merger 
opportunities, integrate any acquired 
businesses in a timely and cost-effective 
manner, and achieve the expected 
benefits of such transactions;

•  The availability, terms, and use of 

capital, the impact of regulatory and 
competitive developments on capital 
outlays, the ability to achieve cost 
savings and realize productivity 
improvements;

•  Technological development and 

evolving industry standards, including 
challenges in meeting customer demand 
for new technology and the cost of 
upgrading existing infrastructure;

•  The capacity to upstream cash 

generated in operations through 
dividends, royalties, management fees, 
and repayment of shareholder loans; 
and

•  Other factors or trends affecting our 

financial condition or results of operations.  

A further list and description of risks, 
uncertainties, and other matters can be 
found in Millicom’s annual report on Form 
20-F, including those risks outlined in “Item 
3. Key Information-D. Risk Factors,” and 
in Millicom’s subsequent U.S. Securities 
and Exchange Commission filings, all of 
which are available at  
www.sec.gov.

All forward-looking statements attributable 
to us or any person acting on our behalf 
are expressly qualified in their entirety by 
this cautionary statement. Readers are 
cautioned not to place undue reliance 
on these forward-looking statements 
that speak only as of the date hereof. 
Except to the extent otherwise required by 
applicable law, we do not undertake any 
obligation to update or revise forward-
looking statements, whether as a result 
of new information, future events, or 
otherwise.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixCash Capex represents the cash spent in 
relation to capital expenditure, excluding 
spectrum and licenses costs and finance 
lease capitalizations from tower sale and 
leaseback transactions.

Operating Cash Flow (OCF) is EBITDA 
less Capex.

Operating Free Cash Flow is OCF less 
changes in working capital and other 
non-cash items and taxes paid.

Equity Free Cash Flow is Operating 
Free Cash Flow less finance charges paid 
(net), plus dividends received from joint 
ventures less advances for dividends to 
non-controlling interests.

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)  
is used to assess the Group’s efficiency 
at allocating the capital under its control 
to and is defined as Operating Profit 
After Tax, including Guatemala and 
Honduras as if fully consolidated, divided 
by the average invested Capital during 
the period. 

Operating Profit After Tax displays the 
profit generated from the operations of 
the company after statutory taxes.

Average Invested Capital is the capital 
invested in the company operation 
throughout the year and is calculated 
with the average of opening and closing 
balances of the total assets minus 
current liabilities (excluding debt, joint 
ventures, accrued interests, deferred and 
current tax, cash as well as investments 
and non-controlling interests), minus 
assets and liabilities held for sale.

Disclaimer

Non-IFRS Measures
This document contains financial 
measures not prepared in accordance 
with IFRS. These measures are referred 
to as “non-IFRS” measures and include: 
non-IFRS service revenue, non-IFRS 
EBITDA, and non-IFRS Capex, among 
others defined below. Annual growth 
rates for these non-IFRS measures are 
often expressed in organic constant 
currency terms to exclude the effect of 
changes in foreign exchange rates, the 
adoption of new accounting standards 
such as IFRS 15, and are proforma for 
material changes in perimeter due to 
acquisitions and divestitures.

The non-IFRS financial measures are 
presented in this document as Millicom’s 
management believes they provide 
investors with additional information for 
the analysis of Millicom’s results of 
operations, particularly in evaluating 
performance from one period to another. 
Millicom’s management uses non-IFRS 
financial measures to make operating 
decisions, as they facilitate additional 
internal comparisons of Millicom’s 
performance to historical results and to 
competitors’ results, and provides them 
to investors as a supplement to Millicom’s 
reported results to provide additional 
insight into Millicom’s operating 
performance. Millicom’s Remuneration 
Committee uses certain non-IFRS 
measures when assessing the 
performance and compensation of 
employees, including Millicom’s 
executive directors.

The non-IFRS financial measures used by 
Millicom may be calculated differently 
from, and therefore may not be 
comparable to, similarly titled measures 
used by other companies—refer to the 
section “Non-IFRS Financial Measure 
Descriptions” for additional information. 
In addition, these non-IFRS measures 
should not be considered in isolation as 
a substitute for, or as superior to, financial 
measures calculated in accordance with 
IFRS, and Millicom’s financial results 
calculated in accordance with IFRS  
and reconciliations to those financial 
statements should be carefully evaluated. 

Non-IFRS Financial Measure 
Descriptions

Service revenue is revenue related to the 
provision of ongoing services such as 
monthly subscription fees, airtime and 
data usage fees, interconnection fees, 
roaming fees, mobile finance service 
commissions and fees from other 
telecommunications services such as 
data services, short message services 
and other value-added services excluding 
telephone and equipment sales.

EBITDA is operating profit excluding 
impairment losses, depreciation and 
amortization, and gains/losses on fixed 
asset disposals.

Underlying measures, such as Service 
revenue, EBITDA, and Net debt, include 
Guatemala and Honduras as if fully 
consolidated. 

Proportionate EBITDA is the sum of the 
EBITDA in every country where Millicom 
operates, including its Guatemala and 
Honduras joint ventures, pro rata for 
Millicom’s ownership stake in each 
country, less unallocated costs and 
inter-company eliminations.

Organic growth represents year-on 
year-growth excluding the impact of 
changes in FX rates, perimeter, and 
accounting. 

Net debt is Gross debt (including finance 
leases) less cash and pledged and term 
deposits.

Proportionate net debt is the sum of the 
net debt in every country where Millicom 
operates, including its Guatemala and 
Honduras joint ventures, pro rata for 
Millicom’s ownership stake in each country. 

Net debt to EBITDA is the ratio of net 
debt over LTM (last twelve month) 
EBITDA.

Proportionate net debt to EBITDA is the 
ratio of proportionate net debt over LTM 
proportionate EBITDA.

Capex is balance sheet capital expenditure 
excluding spectrum and license costs 
and finance lease capitalizations from 
tower sale and leaseback transactions.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixAppendix: 
Corporate Responsibility 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceCR AppendixForm 20-FOverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixCorporate 
Responsibility 
Appendix

Wrapping Up a Great Five Years

This appendix highlights what we have achieved over the past year in each of the material CR topics we have identified. 

2018 has been a milestone year given that it as the last of the 2014 five-year plan. It has found us with CR firmly embedded in the 
day-to-day practices of many of our core business areas, leading to mutual learning, as well as an increasingly regional scope and 
positive impacts of our flagship programs. In the following pages we will share the main achievements and lessons learned which 
are at the core of the work laid out in our new five-year plan.

This corporate responsibility report includes the Honduras and Guatemala joint ventures as if fully consolidated in accordance with 
our management reporting. Reported indicators exclude Emtelco, Ghana, Nicaragua, and recently acquired Panama operation. 
Additional exclusions, where applicable, are detailed in footnotes. 

Measure the success and health of our 
company beyond financials

Promote, protect, and strengthen our 
performance and reputation

Demonstrate thought leadership  
in areas that link to business success

What we did in 2018
•  Strenghthened the collaboration with other business functions to best 

align CR and business objectives. 

•  Revised our data-management processes to enhance continuous 

improvement of our reports to stakeholders.

•  Launched an updated CR Framework that stresses the intrinsic 

connection between our CR and business strategies.

What we did in 2018
•  Continued to actively engage with our investors, partners, and other  

key stakeholders.

•  Conducted our first external GNI Assessment. 

What we did in 2018 
•  Conducted a one-of-a-kind study in Colombia to understand how 

children use the internet. 

•  Relaunched a best-in-class Supplier Training Program on CR. 
•  Rolled out a Women’s Digital Inclusion program in all Latam.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceCR AppendixForm 20-FOverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixOur Performance

Five-year plan objectives (by 2018)

         Where we are today

        What we learned

1. Privacy and freedom of expression
»  Complete an external assessment of Millicom’s policies and 
processes relating to privacy and freedom of expression.

»  Millicom has evolved its 
Privacy and Freedom of 
Expression (FoE) framework 
with a new Global Privacy 
Policy and an updated set of 
Law Enforcement Assistance 
and Major Events Guidelines, 
fit for today’s technological 
and security challenges. Our 
LED report has been 
recognized as best practice 
in the industry. 

»  We will continue our 

engagements with peers/
other stakeholders on our 
policies and practices. It is 
our firm belief that positive 
outcomes for human rights 
will only come from 
collaboration via a 
multi-stakeholder forum 
such as the GNI - this is the 
best way to address such 
complex challenges.

2. Child rights and online protection
»  The Mobile Operator Child Rights Impact Assessment (MO 
CRIA) tool we jointly developed with UNICEF is used across 
the mobile operator community.

»  Conduct the MOCRIA in all operations in Africa and 50% of 

operations in Latam.

»  Integrate promotion of parental controls and distribution of 

safe internet into mobile, fixed, and cable TV customer 
processes in Latin America.

»  Publish child online protection (COP) policy and 

accompanying guidelines, and roll out across all operations.

»  While to our knowledge no 
other companies of the 
industry have publicly 
adopted the use of the 
MOCRIA, it has been 
conducted in all our Latam 
operations with action plans 
in place. Parental controls are 
available for digital cable TV 
devices. COP Policy is in 
place, with COP training 
programs well established 
across the region, targeting 
parents, teachers and 
caregivers.

» Through our work on COP, we 
learned that our assessment 
and work needed to be 
expanded to the broader 
concept of Child Rights. We 
are also introducing findings 
from the MOCRIA into 
business processes, products 
and services.  

3.  Acting with integrity: anti-corruption compliance
»  Continue external and internal monitoring of the Anti-

Bribery and Anti-Corruption (ABAC) program enhancements 
with a view to measure the maturity level of the compliance 
framework over time.

»  Embed compliance risk management into business risk 

management at global, regional, and local level.
»  Third-party due diligence for end-to-end process, from 

landowners to suppliers, IT software providers etc. based on 
risk level.

»  We have established a robust 

»  While having policies and 

Anti-corruption Program, 
rolling out policies  across the 
organization to meet our 
legal compliance obligations 
and acquired automated 
solutions for third party 
vetting to improve corruption 
risk management within the 
organization

screening tools may mitigate 
corruption risks, 
implementing a 
comprehensive framework 
where anti-corruption 
procedures are embedded in 
business processes have 
proven effective, as well has 
the risk based training 
modules that enables 
employees to assess 
potential risk of corruption in 
their day to day function. 

4. Reducing our environmental footprint
»  Establish a cross-functional steering committee and global 

energy reduction and green energy strategy.

»  Global e-waste process implemented in all operations to 

manage e-waste through responsible vendors.

»  Extend environmental reporting to consider emissions 

relating to logistics and supply chain.

»  Our operations have directed 
investments and technology 
into our infrastructure to 
reduce our energy 
consumption, and have 
implemented e-waste 
programs with vendors. We 
will establish a steering 
committee which will focus 
on a comprehensive climate 
strategy and targets.

»  While we have examples of 
good practices throughout 
our operations, an improved 
governance process will 
allow us to further replicate, 
scale and measure the 
results of these practices 
with common metrics.    

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceCR AppendixForm 20-FOverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixOur Performance–continued

Five-year plan objectives (by 2018)

         Where we are today

        What we learned

5. Diversity
»  Increase the number of women among senior managers  

each year.

»  Establish a Group-wide maternity and paternity leave policy, 
to also include a shortened working week for breastfeeding 
mothers.

»  Percentage of women in 
senior management has 
increased Company-wide 
from 22 to 29%and gender 
equality at all levels will 
continue to be at the 
forefront of our inclusion 
efforts.   

Our work towards a more 
inclusive workplace focuses on 
a broad range of life 
circumstances and needs. We 
are working with our 
operations to enhance 
inclusion across all dimensions 
of diversity.

6.  Taking care of our people
»  Continue our zero-fatality commitment.
»  Review risk assessments for each country on a quarterly basis 

and update and manage as required.

»  Continue reporting to senior management and the Board on 

progress and incidents on a monthly basis.

7.  Responsible supply chain management
»  Full supplier monitoring program in place, including self-

assessments and on-site audits.

»  Support capacity building of local suppliers to manage 

corporate responsibility-related risks.

8. Social investment
»  Connect 2,100 schools and public institutions to the internet 

by 2030 in Latin America.

»  Implement a volunteering program with digital education 

initiatives in all our markets by 2020.

»  Since 2017, Health and 
Safety is part of the 
Integrated Services’ team 
scope of work for a 
comprehensive approach 
across risk categories.

»  Zero Fatality is a 

commitment that never 
expires and we will continue 
to seek ways to reduce the 
occurrence of all incidents by 
root cause analysis, 
remediation action plans, 
and targeted training. 

»  Learning is part of everyday 
management and each 
incident is carefully analyzed 
to enhance prevention. We 
will continue to focus on 
management protocols, 
reporting, trend analysis to 
identify key risks and 
refurbish our mitigation 
controls.  These points are 
tied in with an extensive 
program of accident/
incident awareness training.    

»  We have increased the 

»  We will step up our efforts to 

maturity level of our supplier 
assessment and monitoring 
programs by integrating a 
Supplier Due Diligence 
platform in our vetting 
process.

»  We have an established 
supplier CR training in 
Latam.

incorporate relevant CR 
criteria in our Procurement 
analysis and decision-
making processes, further 
the collaboration between 
CR and Procurement teams, 
and provide CR training 
tailored to Procurement staff 
members. 

»  Our Social Investments (SI) 
have become more regional 
and strategic. We have 
already achieved 5% of the 
goal for 2030. In addition, all 
Latam markets have ongoing 
volunteer programs focused 
on COP and the use of 
technology.

»  SI is more a tool than an 

issue in and of itself. 
Therefore, we are 
discontinuing “Social 
Investment” as a separate 
focus area. Our updated CR 
framework contains our 
flagship programs under 
Responsible Leadership in 
Action. This will enable a 
more regional, strategic and 
measurable approach to our 
investments.  

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceCR AppendixForm 20-FOverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendix 
Our Performance–continued

1. Privacy and freedom of expression

KPI

% of operations with controls systematically applied in line with the Group guidelines1

Total number of law enforcement requests (Group)

Number of major events

1  Based on 11 operations.  

Law Enforcement Requests

KPI

Number of law enforcement requests - Latam
Interception
Customer metadata
MFS
Content Takedown

Number of law enforcement requests - Africa
Interception
Customer metadata
MFS
Content Takedown

Overview of Major Events by Type3

KPI

Shutdown or restriction of services4

Proposals for significant changes5 in local laws

Proposals for significant changes5 in technical or operational procedures

Disproportionate interception or customer data requests

Politically motivated messages

Other

2  MFS values for requests in Paraguay derived from estimates.
3	 Data	reported	for	financial	year,	including	2017	data.
4  Renamed from “Shutdown of services” to “shutdown or restriction of services”.
5	 Concerning	government	surveillance,	interception	or	other	(with	Privacy	or	FoE-related	implications).

2017 value

2018 value

100%

41,323

14

100%

45,6662

20

2017 value

2018 value

971
32,340
181
1

0
7,705
251
3

2116
33,868
5232
0

0
8,930
228
1

2017 value

2018 value

2

4

1

2

0

5

7

5

2

2

1

3

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceCR AppendixForm 20-FOverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixOur Performance–continued

2. Child rights and online protection

KPI

2017 value

2018 value

% of operations with controls systematically applied in line with the minimum age policy

% of operations with child risk impact assessments conducted to date

% of operations that have hosted a multi-stakeholder COP workshop to date

% of operations with a child online protection portal

Number of children reached by COP training (000)

% of operations in Latam blocking child sexual abuse content

100%

57%

86%

71%

 188.6

71%

100%

100%

100%

71%

360.11

71%

1	 Cumulative	from	2016.	From	October	1,	2017	to	September	30,	2018,	the	number	of	children	reached	by	COP	training	was	171,500	in	Latam.		

3.  Acting with integrity: anti-corruption compliance

KPI

2017 value

2018 value

% of employees who acknowledged the Code of Conduct

% of employees who have completed the Code training

% of procurement staff trained on ABAC

% of senior managers trained on ABAC

% of employees who filled and signed the conflict of interest declaration form

Number of cases of unethical behavior reported and investigated

Investigations resulting in written warning

Investigations resulting in termination of employee contract

% revenue from MFS represented by operations audited for AML controls

% of operations (where) we conducted a compliance risk assessment or audit 

Turnover of procurement staff (%)

961

962

96

98

90.5

164

6

58

27

45

17

91

90

97

99

923

3364 

72

31

975

30

28

1  The percentages of employees who acknowledged the Code and who have completed the Code training are the same as both were done simultaneously for 2017. 
2	

	In	the	framework	of	the	2017	Global	Compliance	Awareness	Week,	held	in	November	2017,	acknowledgment	of	the	Code	was	simultaneous	with	the	training,	hence	the	
identical	percentages.	Employees	are	required	to	complete	a	training	session	on	both	the	Code	and	Anti-Bribery	and	Anti-Corruption	at	least	once	a	year.	The	Corporate	
Offices’	training	completion	rate	excludes	employees	on	long-term	leave.

3	 Guatemala	not	included	because,	as	of	December	31st,	2018,		authorization	of	the	conflict	of	interest	form	and	policy	is	pending	by	local	compliance	committee.
4	

Incidents	reported	through	Millicom	Ethics	Line	and	Linea	Etica	TigoUne.	Incidents	reported	from	Guatemala	were	channeled	through	Millicom	Ethics	Line	in	2018,	as	Linea						
Ética	Tigo	Guatemala,	currently	going	through	an	upgrading	process,	was.	Incidents	reported	through	Linea	Ética	Tigo	Guatemala	are	included	as	of	2017.	In	addition	to	the	
inclusion	of	the	incidents	reported	through	Línea	Ética	Tigo	Guatemala,	the	increase	in	incident	count	can	be	attributed	to	the	efforts	placed	in	promoting	the	Ethics	lines.	
In	2018,	6	of	our	8	operations	offering	MFS	were	audited	on	their	AML	controls.	

5	

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceCR AppendixForm 20-FOverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendix	
	
Our Performance–continued

 3. Acting with integrity: anti-corruption compliance—continued

Overview of cases reported to Millicom Ethics Line1

Bribery and Corruption

KPI

Number of cases reported and investigated
Cases resulting in written warning
Cases resulting in termination

Discrimination and Harassment

KPI

Number of cases reported and investigated
Cases resulting in written warning
Cases resulting in termination

Human Rights and Labor

KPI

Number of cases reported and investigated
Cases resulting in written warning
Cases resulting in termination

Conflict of Interest

KPI

Number of cases reported and investigated
Cases resulting in written warning
Cases resulting in termination

Fraud

KPI

Number of cases reported and investigated
Cases resulting in written warning
Cases resulting in termination

Other

KPI

Number of cases reported and investigated
Cases resulting in written warning
Cases resulting in termination

2017 value

2018 value

7
0
0

10
2
3

2017 value

2018 value

12
0
0

49
16
10

2017 value

2018 value

22
2
0

0
0
0

2017 value

2018 value

7
0
0

24
4
3

2017 value

2018 value

10
0
3

16
3
2

2017 value

2018 value

22
4
1

89
21
4

1 

 The metric “Cases resulting in written warning or termination” reports number of cases with that outcome; not number of written warning and/or terminations.  
One case can include warnings and/or terminations to multiple employees. 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceCR AppendixForm 20-FOverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixOur Performance–continued

4. Reducing our environmental footprint

e-waste recycled through responsible waste management program (tonnes)1

KPI

Bolivia

Colombia

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Paraguay

Tanzania

1  Program also set up in Chad. No values available for this operation. 

Energy use

Total Energy Consumption/Sources of Energy by Asset Type

KPI

Base station and fixed network sites1
Fuel (000 l)
Energy from fuel (MWh)
Electricity (MWh)

Our fleet2
Fuel (000 l)
Energy from fuel (MWh)
Electricity (MWh)

Datacenters and offices3
Fuel (000 l)3
Energy from fuel (MWh)
Electricity (MWh)

Shops6
Fuel (000 l)
Energy from fuel (MWh)
Electricity (MWh)7

2017 value

2018 value

474

77

44.5

162

1,037

3.52

236

462

7.74

587

310

147

400

0

105.18

400

2017 value

2018 value

14,732
147,073
354,949

10,435.32
104,178.29
444,885.99

6,335
60,756
N/A

988
24,082
55,8855

332
3,312
15,509

4,063.98
38,609.45
N/A

449.74
4,489.88
89,582.09

23.44
233.94
16,916.97

1  Zantel excluded.
2	
3	

	Fuel	consumption	for	fleet	includes	gasoline	and	diesel	consumption.	
	Many	of	our	data	centers	are	co-located	with	our	offices.	Therefore,	they	often	do	not	have	separate	meters	to	enable	us	to	report	on	datacenter	consumption	separately.	
Zantel excluded for 2017 and Chad excluded for 2017 and 2018. Estimated data for Colombia Movil.

5	 Electricity	consumption	for	offices	and	datacenters	in	El	Salvador	excluded	in	2017.
6  Zantel and Chad excluded for 2018.
7  Electricity consumption for shops in Guatemala is calculated based on electricity cost.

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceCR AppendixForm 20-FOverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixOur Performance–continued

Emissions and e-waste overview
KPI

2017 value

2018 value

Total weight of e-waste recycled through our responsible e-waste management program

2,496.02

1,956.92

Scope 1 emissions (tonnes CO2e)1
Scope 2 emissions (tonnes CO2e)2
Scope 3 emissions (tonnes CO2e)3

% of operations set up on global responsible e-waste recycling program

% of operations with controls systematically applied in line with the environment policy

Tonnes of CO2e emissions per USD$1,000 revenue

58,787
114,883
NA

91

100

0.029

39,181
141,439
NA

91

100

0.03

1	
2	

3	

		Emissions	from	fuel	are	calculated	using	World	Resources	Institute	(2015)	GHG	Protocol	tool	for	stationary	combustion,	version	4.1.	
	Emissions	from	electricity	are	calculated	using	Electricity	Emission	Factors	from	IEA,	version	2016,	except	in	the	cases	of	Paraguay	and	Chad,	where	other	official	sources	were	
used. Zantel excluded.
	Not	included,	as	we	are	currently	reassessing	our	methodology	for	reporting	Scope	3	emissions.	

5. Diversity

KPI

% of operations with breastfeeding rooms in Latam

% of women in senior management positions

% of women across our employee base

6.  Taking care of our people

KPI1

% of operations with controls systematically applied in line with our Group health and  
safety policy

% of operations in line with OHSAS 18001

% of operations certified against OHSAS 18001

Number of employee fatalities1

Number of contractor fatalities

Number of health and safety incidents reported

Lost-time injury rate per 1,000 workers

Absentee rate

2017 value

2018 value

64

33

40

100

28

41

2017 value

2018 value

100

100

46

1

9

387

2.6

0.8

100

100

91

0

2

369

0.54

1.29

1	

	Numbers	of	employee	and	contractor	fatalities	reported	are	aligned	with	the	reporting	period	from	October	1st	2017	to	September	30th,	2018.	Fatalities	for	previous	years	
have been reported between the same dates. 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceCR AppendixForm 20-FOverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixOur Performance–continued

7.  Responsible supply chain management

KPI

2017 value

2018 value

Total number of suppliers invited to complete an EcoVadis assessment

Total number of suppliers who completed the assessment

Total number of suppliers that do not fulfill our requirements

Number of suppliers with improved scores following implementing corrective  
action plans (CAPs)

Number of CAPs requested from suppliers by EcoVadis categories
Environmental
Labor rights
Fair business practices
Sustainable procurement

% of strategic suppliers who signed the supplier code

% of all suppliers who have signed the supplier code

% of spend represented by suppliers who completed assessments on EcoVadis to date

% of procurement teams trained on responsible supply chain management

Number of suppliers trained on Millicom's corporate responsibility strategy and requirements

321

68

42

47

58
127
88
63

89

611

47.3

962

121

326

129

58

73

35
81
59
36

89

65

42

813

108

1	 Guatemala’s	information	excluded	from	this	percentage	for	2017	as	a	different	definition	was	applied	to	calculate	the	indicator	locally.	The	2018	value	includes	
Guatemala.
2	 Procurement	teams	training	focused	on	Anti-Bribery,	Anti-Corruption	(ABAC)	in	2017,	as	reported	in	the	Compliance	performance	table	for	that	year	(page	103).
3 Colombia excluded

8. Social investment

KPI

Number of volunteering hours

Monetary value of employee volunteering (US$ 000)

Total cash contributions (US$ 000)

In-kind giving (US$ 000, at cost)

Schools and public institutions connected to the internet1

Women enrolled in digital inclusion programs2

Women enrolled in financial inclusion programs2

2017 value

2018 value

14,841

24,732

170

3,203

6,399

1,259

235

3,776

6,737

1,361

New KPI for 
2018

New KPI for 
2018

117,340

97,978

1	 Cumulative	since	2016,	then	the	commitment	with	the	ICT	2030	Alliance	was	signed	with	the	OAS	(see	page	80	of	our	2016	Annual	Report).
2	

	Depending	on	local	curriculum,	women	enrolled	in	training	programs	receive	training	on	both	digital	and	financial	inclusion,	therefore	the	two	figures	partially	overlap	and	
should not be combined.  

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceCR AppendixForm 20-FOverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixIndependent Limited Assurance Report

To the Management and Directors of Millicom International Cellular S.A.

Scope of work

We have undertaken a limited assurance engagement in relation to the Millicom International Cellular S.A (Millicom) Corporate 
Responsibility Report (Pages 100 – 109) of the Millicom Annual Report 2018 (the “Corporate Responsibility Report”).

The scope determined by Millicom for the preparation of this independent limited assurance report is described below:

Reporting Section 

Indicator Description 

Privacy and freedom of 
expression

% of operations with controls systematically applied in line with the  
Group guideline

Total number of law enforcement requests (Group)

Number of major events

KPI Reference 
Review Period 2018 

Q4 2017 -Q3 2018

Q4 2017 - Q3 2018

Q1 2018 - Q4 2018

% of employees who acknowledged the Code of conduct

Q1 2018 - Q4 2018

% of employees who have completed the Code training

% of procurement staff trained on ABAC

% of senior managers trained on ABAC

Acting with integrity

% of employees who filled and signed the conflict of interest  
declaration form

Q1 2018- Q4 2018

Q1 2018- Q4 2018

Q1 2018- Q4 2018

Q1 2018- Q4 2018

Number of cases of unethical behavior reported and investigated

Q1 2018 - Q4 2018

Investigations resulting in written warning

Q1 2018 - Q4 2018

Investigations resulting in termination of employee contract

Q1 2018 - Q4 2018

Turnover of procurement staff

Q4 2017 - Q3 2018

Total Energy Consumption / Sources of energy by asset type

Q4 2017 - Q3 2018

Reducing our environ-
mental footprint

Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions

Diversity

% of women in senior management positions

Taking care of our 
people

Absentee rate

Total number of suppliers invited to complete an EcoVadis  
assessment

Responsible supply 
chain  
management

% of strategic suppliers who signed the supplier code

% of all suppliers who have signed the supplier code

% of procurement teams trained on responsible supply chain 
management

Q4 2017 - Q3 2018

Q1 2018 - Q4 2018

Q4 2017- Q3 2018

Q4 2017 - Q3 2018

Q4 2017 - Q3 2018

Q4 2017 - Q3 2018

Q4 2017 - Q3 2018

The Millicom Corporate Responsibility 
Report was prepared in accordance with 
AA1000 AccountAbility Principles Standard 
2008 (AA1000 APS 2008).

Criteria

Our review was carried out based on:

• 

• 

 AA1000 AccountAbility Assurance 
Standard 2008, with a moderate 
level of type 2 assurance.

 Standard ISAE 3000, Assurance 
Engagements, issued by the 
International Auditing and 
Assurance Standard Board 
(IAASB) of the International 
Federation of Accountants (IFAC), 
with a limited scope of assurance.

Management’s Responsibility

The management of Millicom is responsible 
for the preparation and fair presentation of 
the Corporate Responsibility Report in 
accordance with the Criteria, and is also 
responsible for the selection of methods 
used in the Criteria. Further, Millicoms’ 
management is responsible for establishing 
and maintaining internal controls relevant to 
the preparation and presentation of the 
Corporate Responsibility Report that is free 
from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error; selecting and applying 
appropriate criteria; maintaining adequate 
records and making estimates that are 
reasonable in the circumstances.

Assurance Practitioner’s Responsibility

on the content of Millicom’s Corporate 
Responsibility Report according to the 
scope previously defined. 

Our procedures were designed to obtain a 
limited level of assurance on which to base 
our conclusion, and, as such, do not provide 
all of the evidence that would be required to 
provide a reasonable level of assurance. The 
procedures performed depend on the 
assurance practitioner’s judgement 
including the risk of material misstatement 
of the Corporate Responsibility Report, 
whether due to fraud or error. While we 
considered the effectiveness of 
management’s internal controls when 
determining the nature and extent of our 
procedures, our assurance engagement was 
not designed to provide assurance on 
internal controls.

Our responsibility is to provide with 
independent third-party limited assurance 

Our procedures did not include testing 
controls or performing procedures relating 

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceCR AppendixForm 20-FOverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendixto checking aggregation or calculation of 
data within IT systems, which would have 
been performed under a reasonable 
assurance engagement.

Independence

We have performed our work in accordance 
with the standards of independence 
required by the Code of Ethics of the 
International Federation of Accountants 
(IFAC).

Applied procedures

Our assurance procedures consisted in 
requesting information from Millicom 
Corporate Responsibility department and 
business areas participating in the 
preparation of the Corporate Responsibility 
Report and applying analytical procedures 
and sampling tests as described in general 
terms below:

1.   Interviews with senior managers 
responsible for management of 
Corporate Responsibility issues and 
review of selected evidences to support 
issues discussed. The list of interviewees 
included Executives with overall 
responsibility for Millicom’s Corporate 
Responsibility strategy and programmes 
and for specific functions, including 
Supply Chain, Health and Safety, Privacy 
and Compliance. The purpose of these 
interviews was to obtain awareness of 
the Corporate Responsibility objectives 
and policies as well as how they are put 
into practice and integrated into 
Millicom’s strategy

2.   Review of Millicom’s approach to 

stakeholder’s engagement and outputs.

3.   Review of the processes for gathering 

and consolidating the specified 
performance data and, for a sample, 
checking the data consolidation.

4.   Checks on a sample basis of the 

quantitative information included in the 
Corporate Responsibility Report as well as 
its adequate compilation from data 
supplied by information sources. The 
tests have been defined to provide 
limited assurance levels in line with the 
criteria described in this report.

5.   Site visits in Millicom’s operations in 
Guatemala and Paraguay to review 
process and systems for preparing site 
level corporate responsibility data and 
implementation of Corporate 
Responsibility strategy. 

Conclusions

Based on our limited assurance procedures 
described above, nothing has come to our 
attention that causes us to believe that the 
Corporate Responsibility Report is not 
presented fairly, in all material respects, in 
accordance with the Criteria (the principles 
established in standard AA1000 APS 2008) 
such as:

1.  Inclusiveness

• 

 In 2018, Millicom continued its efforts to 
engage and establish relationships with 
its key stakeholders, with regards to CR, 
such as, quarterly updates for the Board 
of Directors and for investors, interactions 
with civil society and active participation 
in GNI. Specifically, they used the 
opportunity of the materiality 
assessment this year to include various 
stakeholders across four key groups, 
namely investors, civil society, customers 
and employees into CR discussions. 

• 

 Millicom partnered with the EAFIT 
University in Medellin, Colombia to 
launch a pioneering assessment on the 
use of ICT by children, that not only 
conducted research but also actively 
involved members of civil society and 
Millicom employees.  

2.  Materiality

• 

 In 2018, Millicom developed a new 
materiality matrix with the support of an 
external provider. This materiality matrix 
has been based on a series of more than 
40 interviews in total, covering various 
types of internal and external 
stakeholders. With this initiative, Millicom 
has responded to the prior years’ 
assurance observations regarding 
materiality assessment and 
demonstrates its commitment to 
continuous improvement in this area.

• 

 Millicom has developed the necessary 
competencies of internal CR stakeholders 
to apply the materiality based reporting 
process and to strengthen their 
awareness on importance of data 
management and quality.

3.  Responsiveness

• 

 Millicom’s Law Enforcement Disclosure 
(LED) committee is formed by a cross 
functional team of internal stakeholders 
that views relevant issues of privacy, 
cybersecurity and freedom of expression 
in a combined manner. It keeps track of 
trends and concerns in this sector, and 
regularly interacts with key external 

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• 

• 

stakeholders. One of the key responses to 
these challenges was carrying out the 
GNI assessment and development of the 
‘Global Privacy Policy’ in 2018.

 In 2018, Millicom developed both a 
“Corporate Responsibility Reporting 
Governance Process” and a “Reporting 
Guidelines” that aim at strengthening the 
Corporate Responsibility Reporting 
process by detailing roles and 
responsibilities, definitions of the key 
indicators, data flow, required evidences 
for indicators and calculations and data 
control. Moreover, Millicom trained the 
whole “CR team” in the various local 
operations including “Data contributors” 
and “Data validators” to this new 
“Corporate Responsibility Reporting 
Governance Process”.

 Through its continuous improvement of 
learning processes, Millicom further 
enhanced the training provided to its key 
suppliers with one-on-one follow-up 
sessions to ensure that suppliers 
understand the high expectations and 
standards of Millicom regarding critical 
issues, such as Ethics, Privacy, Child 
Rights, Diversity, Health and Safety and 
Environment.

Recommendations

We also presented to Millicom our 
recommendations regarding areas of 
improvement related to the application of 
standard AA1000 APS 2008 as well as to 
actions taken with main stakeholders. The 
most significant recommendations are 
summarized below:

1.  Inclusiveness

• 

• 

 We support the commitment of Millicom 
to go further in the holistic 
dissemination of information and 
expectations across the entire value 
chain, by ensuring that the content of 
the Responsible Supply Chain 
Management training, currently 
provided to the procurement team, is 
aligned and made consistent with that 
of the Supplier training program carried 
out for LATAM suppliers in 2018. 

 While already implemented throughout 
2018, we recommend that Millicom 
continues to identify opportunities to 
develop communication platforms in 
order to broaden and strengthen its 
dialogue on CR with all its stakeholders, 
such that their expectations and 
priorities can be consistently 
incorporated into Millicom’s CR strategy 
and action plan. 

OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceCR AppendixForm 20-FOverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceFinancialsAppendix2.  Materiality

• 

• 

 We recommend Millicom to not only 
continue to implement its plan to 
conduct the materiality assessment on a 
biennial basis, but also to monitor key 
trends and context that can assist in 
regularly updating their CR action plan. 

 We further recommend Millicom to use 
the opportunity of the results of the new 
materiality assessment and creation of 
the new CR action plan to further refine 
material requirements and their actions 
at the country level. 

3.  Responsiveness

• 

 Although Millicom deployed the 
“Corporate Responsibility Reporting 
Governance Process” and “Reporting 

Guidelines”, the on-ground application 
and integration of these processes and 
guidelines needs further efforts. As 
already started in 2018, we recommend 
Millicom to pursue its implementation in 
all locations and departments. In this 
regard, we also recommend to further 
strengthen data collection and control 
processes regarding the monitoring and 
follow up of Health & Safety (H&S) 
incidents and continue to develop 
communication with external providers 
on H&S issues. We also recommend 
Millicom to pursue its efforts for an 
enhanced reporting of Environmental 
data.

• 

 In order to continue and enhance 
dialogue with key stakeholders, we 
recommend Millicom to respond to its 
stakeholder’s material CR concerns by 

developing a process and methodology 
of communication on achievements of 
commitments and progress against 
goals of its CR action plan. 

Ernst & Young
Société Anonyme
Cabinet de Révision Agréé

Olivier Lemaire 
Partner 

David Cau
Director

Luxembourg, February 28, 2019

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Corporate Information

AUDITOR

Ernst & Young 
Société anonyme 
35E Avenue John F. Kennedy 
Luxembourg, L-1855

STOCK TRANSFER AGENT

Questions or requests related to stock 
transfers, lost certificates, or account 
changes should be directed to:

Shareholder Services 
1-800-937-5449 ext. 4801 
1-718-921-8200 ext. 4801 
help@astfinancial.com 
www.astfinancial.com

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Investors@millicom.com

MEDIA CONTACT

Press@Millicom.com

ANNUAL MEETING

The 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders 
will be held on May 2, 2019 at the Hotel Le 
Royal, 12 Boulevard Royal, Luxembourg, 
L-2449.

HEADQUARTERS

Millicom International Cellular S.A. 
2 Rue du Fort Bourbon 
Luxembourg, L-1249

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

José Antonio Ríos García 
Chairman, Director

Pernille Erenbjerg 
Deputy Chairman, Director

Odilon Almeida 
Director

Janet Davidson 
Director

Tomas Eliasson 
Director

Lars-Åke Norling 
Director

Roger Solé Rafols 
Director

James Thompson 
Director

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Mauricio Ramos 
Chief Executive Officer

Tim Pennington 
Chief Financial Officer

Esteban Iriarte 
Chief Operating Officer—Latam 

Mohamed Dabbour 
Head of Africa Division

Xavier Rocoplan 
Chief Technology and Information Officer

Rachel Samrén 
Chief External Affairs Officer

Salvador Escalón 
General Counsel

Susy Bobenrieth 
Chief Human Resources Officer

HL Rogers 
Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer

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OverviewStrategyPerformanceGovernanceForm 20-FCR AppendixFor further information, please contact:
investors@millicom.com
millicom.com