MTN secures IHS Towers control as SA imposes fair access conditions
MTN has secured full control of IHS Towers after South Africa's Competition Commission approved its $2.2 billion acquisition on September 30, 2024, with conditions requiring fair, non-discriminatory access to the infrastructure for competing operators. MTN already owned 24.7% of IHS and agreed to buy the remaining 75.3% stake for complete ownership.
This matters to Nigerians because IHS operates nearly 29,000 towers across Africa, including in Nigeria as one of five key MTN markets. The Nigerian Communications Commission has already given approval in principle, meaning this deal could affect network quality, coverage, and 5G rollout for MTN subscribers in Nigeria.
The Commission's conditions prevent MTN from favoring itself over rivals using IHS towers, require fair renewal of existing lease agreements, and aim to protect jobs and small business participation in new tower sites. While MTN claims full ownership will improve network performance across Africa, Nigerians should watch for changes in service quality and pricing to assess whether the deal delivers promised benefits or raises market dominance concerns.