In line with the Group’s 2025 vision to expand operational presence to at least eight markets, Helios Towers plc, the independent telecommunications infrastructure company, has signed agreements with Airtel Africa Group to acquire its passive infrastructure operating company in Malawi. This agreement adds 723 sites to the company’s portfolio and is subject to the required regulatory approval. The acquisition transaction is worth US$55 million.
It is part of the company’s plan to grow after pioneering the acquisition of single-operator towers and delivering services to the seller and other operators using the tower infrastructure. By outsourcing non-core tower-related tasks, wireless operators can better allocate their capital and managerial resources toward delivering better services at lower costs.
As dictated by the Malawian local telecommunications infrastructure licence requirements, the Group’s Malawian operating company is expected to obtain a 20% local Malawian shareholding which will be maintained during the term of Helios Towers’ operating licence in Malawi.
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Commenting on the transactions, Kash Pandya, Chief Executive Officer of Helios Towers said, “We are delighted to announce these acquisitions which, alongside the previously announced entry into Senegal, means we will deliver on our 2025 ambition to increase our operational presence to at least eight markets well ahead of schedule and represents a significant step towards our target of 12,000+ sites. Additionally, as a result of service contract structuring and market selection, our hard-currency revenues and adjusted EBITDA will improve further, providing enhanced future stability for the business and complimented by the 12-year service contracts with Airtel Africa.”
After a 12-year service agreement on the acquired assets was agreed upon by both Helios Towers and Airtel Africa, the revenues are expected to be up to US$23 million and adjusted EBITDA of US$8million in the first full year after ownership. Further growth is expected through 60 committed build-to-suits over the next three years and colocation lease-up in line with previous communications.
According to their website, Helios Tower is a leading independent telecommunications infrastructure company, having established one of the most extensive tower portfolios across Africa. It builds, owns and operates telecom passive infrastructure, providing services to mobile network operators.
The company owns and operates telecommunication tower sites in Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Ghana, South Africa, Senegal and Madagascar. Following recent acquisition agreements and subject to regulatory approval, Helios Towers expects to establish a presence in three new markets across Africa and the Middle East. Including these acquisitions and committed BTS, the Group’s total site count is expected to increase from over 10,000 towers to over 14,000.
