IHS exits Latin America as MTN takeover moves closer

IHS Towers has finalized the sale of its Latin American tower operations to Macquarie Asset Management, effectively exiting the region as the company restructures its portfolio ahead of MTN Group's planned acquisition. This transaction, which concluded on August 7, 2026, pertains to IHS's operations in Brazil and Colombia, encompassing around 9,000 tower sites.

The sale concludes IHS Towers' complete withdrawal from Latin America, concentrating the company's attention on its African operations, which comprise over 28,000 towers across Nigeria, South Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, and Zambia. This divestment aligns with MTN's strategy to acquire the remaining shares in IHS and privatize the tower company.

MTN announced the planned acquisition in February, and IHS shareholders approved the merger at an extraordinary general meeting on August 5, 2026, fulfilling a prerequisite for the transaction. With the Latin American assets now sold, the proposed acquisition is now limited to IHS's African tower portfolio, simplifying the transaction's structure and aligning it with MTN's strategic objectives.

JP Morgan provided advisory services for the transaction. Macquarie Asset Management, the acquiring entity, oversees approximately $477 billion in assets globally. For IHS, the sale signifies a substantial strategic retreat, as the company narrows its focus to emerging African markets. For MTN, it removes IHS's Latin American operations from the proposed acquisition, strengthening its emphasis on African digital infrastructure. However, the broader acquisition is still pending, subject to regulatory approvals.