Nigeria-based telecom infrastructure group IHS has signed an agreement with Airtel to acquire 1,100 telecoms towers in Zambia and Rwanda
According to Airtel, the deal would help the company to focus on its core business and customers in Africa.
Christian de Faria, CEO of Airtel Africa, said, “We are delighted to partner with IHS, which has a proven track record in passive infrastructure management in Africa and look forward to working with them. This agreement will accelerate infrastructure sharing amongst operators and benefit customers in form of affordable tariffs and wider network coverage.”
For IHS, the deal would help the company to expand its footprints to over 21,000 towers across five countries in Africa, and would also drive cost efficiencies throughout the industry through the use of shared passive infrastructure.
Issam Darwish, executive vice-chairman of IHS, added, “We have been working with Airtel for many years. And we are very pleased to have signed our first buy and lease back transaction with Airtel. The opportunity to expand our East African business bringing IHS’ market leading energy and infrastructure management practices to a wider market is an excellent opportunity.”
IHS has existing operations in Nigeria and Cameroon.
