U.S.-Nigerian mogul Sam Darwish’s IHS and Airtel forge partnership to boost infrastructure

IHS Holding, a global telecom infrastructure giant led by U.S.-Nigerian telecom tycoon Sam Darwish, and Airtel Nigeria, a subsidiary of Airtel Africa Plc, have announced a strategic commitment to elevate and expand their collaborative efforts in shared communications infrastructure, ushering in a new era for telecom advancement in Nigeria and beyond.

Under the groundbreaking move, Airtel Nigeria has committed to securing 3,950 tenancies over the next five years, with a significant majority anticipated in 2024 and 2025. Simultaneously, the term of Airtel Nigeria’s existing tenancies, covering approximately 6,000 placements, has been extended until December 2031.

The comprehensive deal encompasses 2,500 colocations, provisions for 5G amendments, and the establishment of build-to-suit sites, all to be owned and operated by IHS Nigeria. This strategic collaboration positions both entities at the forefront of the rapidly evolving 5G landscape, crucial for meeting the escalating demands of a rapidly digitizing African continent.

Darwish highlights commitment as IHS Towers renews collaboration with Airtel Nigeria

Darwish, chairman and CEO of IHS Towers, expressed his enthusiasm about the expanded partnership, stating, “The expansion and renewal of our relationship with Airtel Nigeria is a testament to our continued commitment to serving our customers and the connectivity demands of Africa.”

Darwish further emphasized the long-term partnership with Airtel, stating that this collaboration will facilitate mobile connectivity in Nigeria, supporting the rollout of new sites across the country.

The recent tower deal between IHS Holding, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure globally, and Airtel Africa Plc, one of the largest mobile network operators on the African continent, is poised to not only enhance the technological capabilities of both entities but also significantly contribute to the broader socio-economic development of Nigeria and the African continent.

IHS: Pioneering telecom infrastructure since 2001, transforming connectivity globally

Founded in 2001 by Darwish, IHS has solidified its position as the largest telecom infrastructure group in Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Globally, the company ranks as the third-largest independent multinational tower company based on tower count. Darwish, a prominent figure in the African telecom industry, holds a substantial 4.17-percent stake in the group, equivalent to 13,958,158 ordinary shares.

As both companies embark on this transformative journey, the shared vision for sustainable and technologically advanced connectivity stands as a testament to the transformative potential of strategic partnerships in the rapidly evolving telecom landscape. This collaboration is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting the growing connectivity needs of the African population.