MTN Group has agreed to acquire full ownership of IHS Towers in a deal valued at approximately $6.2 billion, marking one of the most significant telecom infrastructure transactions in Africa in recent years. The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory and shareholder approval, would bring thousands of telecom towers across MTN’s key markets under its direct control.
IHS Towers is one of Africa’s largest telecom tower operators. The company builds and manages telecom towers that mobile network providers use to deliver voice and internet services. Rather than constructing and maintaining their own towers, telecom operators typically lease space on infrastructure owned by tower companies like IHS.
If completed, the deal would shift ownership of these critical assets back to MTN.
Why Tower Ownership Matters
Telecom towers form the physical backbone of mobile connectivity. Every call, mobile payment, internet session, and digital service depends on these structures.
Over the past decade, telecom operators across Africa sold tower assets to specialised infrastructure firms to reduce capital expenditure and improve short-term financial flexibility. They continued to use the towers by leasing them back through long-term agreements.
While this model reduced upfront costs, it also created long-term dependence on third-party infrastructure providers.
MTN’s move to reacquire IHS signals a shift toward reclaiming ownership of infrastructure that directly supports its network operations.
Reclaiming Control Over Network Expansion
As demand for mobile data continues to grow, infrastructure flexibility has become increasingly important. Network expansion, including broader 4G coverage and preparation for future 5G deployment, depends heavily on tower availability and upgrade timelines.
Direct ownership of tower infrastructure would allow MTN to align infrastructure investment more closely with its network expansion plans. It would also reduce reliance on external providers and give MTN greater control over deployment and maintenance decisions.
This level of control can improve operational efficiency and support long-term network reliability.
Positioning Beyond A Traditional Telecom Operator
The agreement reflects a broader evolution in MTN’s strategic positioning. Telecom operators are increasingly expanding their role beyond providing connectivity services to owning and managing infrastructure that supports digital activity.
By moving to acquire IHS Towers, MTN is positioning itself as an infrastructure operator that controls key components of its connectivity ecosystem.
This aligns with a wider shift across the telecom sector, where infrastructure ownership is becoming central to long-term competitiveness.
What This Signals For Africa’s Connectivity Landscape
MTN’s agreement to acquire IHS Towers underscores the growing strategic importance of infrastructure ownership as Africa’s digital economy expands. Reliable connectivity remains essential for startups, creators, financial services, and digital platforms that depend on stable network access.
If completed, the acquisition would strengthen MTN’s control over its infrastructure foundation and position the company to play a more direct role in shaping connectivity across its markets.
The deal reflects a long-term strategic shift, where ownership of physical infrastructure is becoming increasingly important to how telecom operators compete and grow.
