IHS Towers, the largest mobile telecommunications infrastructure provider in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, has closed the second tranche of the MTN transaction announced on 4 September 2014

IHS Towers, the largest mobile telecommunications infrastructure provider in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, has closed the second tranche of the MTN transaction announced on 4 September 2014.

The additional 4,696 sites were transferred on 1 July 2015, and now completes the transaction which is the largest to date in Africa. Tranche one was transferred on 4 December 2014.

The transaction will reduce tower operating costs, drive network efficiencies and further expand voice and data capacity throughout Nigeria. This is the ninth tower transaction for IHS and its fifth with MTN following the deals in Côte  d’Ivoire,  Cameroon,  Rwanda and Zambia.

Following the completion of this transaction, IHS manages approximately 15,000 towers in Nigeria and over 23,000 towers throughout Africa.
All acquired towers will be connected  to  IHS’  Network Operations  Centre  which  ensures  operations  are  optimised  and  IHS’  market  leading  network  uptimes  of  over  99  percent  are  maintained.

According to Michael Ikpoki, CEO of MTN Nigeria: “The tower sale is a major part of our strategic shift towards creating an optimised network, enhancing our technology and other assets to further create value and drive innovation  to  meet  our  customers’  needs. The realities and trends in our industry reveal the increased need for cost efficiency along with the optimisation of assets in order to remain competitive and sustainable.”

Issam Darwish, Executive Vice Chairman & Group CEO of IHS, said:“The MTN transaction was significant and transformational for IHS, doubling the size of our business and confirming our position as the leading mobile in frastructure company in Africa. It gives me great pleasure to announce the completion of this transaction.”

IHS continues to invest in energy efficiency through the deployment of advanced generators, batteries and alternative power solutions to reduce diesel consumption. Operational management solutions, including solar systems and higher efficiency generator units, also continue to be rolled out.

IHS is also creating new technical and engineering direct and indirect employment opportunities which are locally sourced throughout Africa.