Major international business moves announced in recent weeks are set to significantly strengthen two global giants in their respective sectors. On April 27, 2026, energy major Shell plc revealed a landmark agreement to acquire Canadian natural gas powerhouse ARC Resources Ltd., while telecom operator Millicom (Tigo) finalized its full ownership of Colombia Telecomunicaciones (Coltel), also known as Movistar Colombia.
Shell’s acquisition of ARC Resources stands out as one of the largest energy deals of 2026. Valued at approximately $16.4 billion including assumed net debt, the transaction includes an equity value of about $13.6 billion. Under the deal terms, ARC shareholders will receive CAD 8.20 in cash and 0.40247 Shell shares for each ARC share, representing a 25% cash and 75% stock mix. This offer reflects a roughly 20-27% premium to ARC’s recent trading prices.
The strategic rationale is clear. ARC Resources brings over 1.5 million net acres in the prolific Montney formation, adding substantial natural gas and liquids production to Shell’s existing Canadian portfolio. The deal is expected to boost Shell’s overall production compound annual growth rate from 1% to 4% and add around 370,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. It also enhances Shell’s LNG capabilities in Canada by tapping into ARC’s significant gas reserves.
Shell CEO Wael Sawan highlighted the transaction’s potential to deliver double-digit returns and support long-term cash flows, making it accretive to free cash flow per share starting in 2027. The boards of both companies have unanimously approved the move, with closure anticipated in the second half of 2026 pending shareholder, court, and regulatory approvals. This acquisition marks Shell’s biggest deal in over a decade and signals renewed confidence in scaling upstream operations amid steady global energy demand.
In Latin America, Millicom has successfully completed its strategic consolidation in the Colombian telecommunications market. Following the earlier acquisition of Telefónica’s controlling 67.5% stake in Coltel for $214.4 million in February 2026, Millicom finalized the purchase of the Colombian government’s remaining 32.5% stake on April 27, 2026. The government sale raised approximately COP 856 billion (around $205-240 million), bringing Millicom’s total ownership of Coltel to 100%.
This full integration allows Millicom to combine Coltel’s Movistar operations with its existing Tigo Colombia business, creating a stronger, unified platform. Company executives describe Colombia as a core market and emphasize that the move will accelerate investments in fiber optic networks and 5G deployment. Greater scale is expected to improve service quality, expand coverage, and drive digital inclusion across the country.
Millicom’s CEO Marcelo Benitez noted that the acquisition enhances financial resilience and investment capacity at a critical time for the sector. The combined entity aims to foster healthy competition while supporting long-term sustainable growth in Colombia. By securing complete control, Millicom positions itself for faster infrastructure rollout and better customer experiences in one of Latin America’s key telecom markets.
These two cross-border deals illustrate broader trends in global business: energy companies are doubling down on reliable natural gas assets to meet LNG and power generation needs, while telecom operators pursue consolidation to fund next-generation network upgrades. Both transactions reflect confidence in regional opportunities — Canada’s rich Montney shale play for Shell and Colombia’s growing digital economy for Millicom.
As the deals progress toward finalization, industry observers will watch their impact on local economies, job continuity, and competitive dynamics. For Shell, the ARC Resources acquisition strengthens its position as a leading player in North American natural gas. For Millicom, full ownership of Coltel solidifies its leadership in Colombian telecommunications and sets the stage for accelerated 5G and fiber expansion.
These international business moves demonstrate how strategic acquisitions continue to drive growth and transformation across energy and telecom sectors worldwide in 2026.
