Helios Towers

INTERVIEW: Helios Towers CEO Tom Greenwood (pictured) hailed the innovative nature of Africa’s mobile ecosystem, as the tower company turns its attentions to further expansion in the Middle East following its acquisition of Omantel’s assets in 2022.

Helios Towers all but completed a deal to acquire passive infrastructure assets from operator Omantel, announcing necessary regulatory closing conditions had been satisfied.

Helios Towers recruited Oman-based investment fund Rakiza Telecommunication Infrastructure to take a minority share in a new venture formed to house assets being bought from operator Omantel.

Airtel Africa completed the sale of its towers in Malawi to Helios Towers for $54. 7 million, with the former’s local unit signing a 12-year lease agreement to continue to use the equipment.

Helios Towers CEO Kash Pandya branded 2021 as one the infrastructure company’s best-ever years in terms of organic tenancy growth, while annual figures were also boosted by site acquisitions in Senegal and Madagascar.

Millicom agreed to sell its entire stake in Helios Towers, the final move in a strategy by the operator to divest its ownership in the infrastructure company.

Helios Towers agreed to take over Omantel’s passive tower infrastructure portfolio of nearly 3,000 sites for $575 million, as the infrastructure company targets what it claims is a significant growth opportunity in the Middle East.