{
  "id": 3717166,
  "title": "MTN seeks Nigerian buyers for 30% IHS stake worth up to $1.1 billion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/mtn-seeks-nigerian-buyers-for-30-ihs-stake-worth-up-to-1-1-billion",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-27T10:01:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nairametrics",
    "slug": "nairametrics",
    "url": "https://nairametrics.com/2026/08/27/mtn-seeks-nigerian-buyers-for-30-ihs-stake-worth-up-to-1-1-billion/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MTN Group is actively seeking Nigerian investors to purchase a 30% stake in IHS Nigeria, as part of the terms stipulated for its acquisition of IHS Holding Limited. The anticipated stake sale could raise between $900 million and $1.1 billion, according to Bloomberg. This information was reported by Bloomberg, based on discussions with sources familiar with the matter, who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the details.\n\nThis development occurred just three days after the Nigerian Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) granted conditional approval for MTN Group's proposed acquisition of IHS Holding. The FCCPC's consent is contingent upon MTN selling down up to 30% of its Nigerian portion of the IHS business to local investors at prevailing market prices over time. Bloomberg's report cites these sources in confirming the potential sale and its estimated value.\n\nMTN Group's Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, has confirmed that the funds generated from the stake sale will be directed towards reducing debt related to the IHS transaction. However, Mupita did not delve into specifics regarding the exact value of the stake being sold. IHS, a telecom tower company, operates approximately 29,000 towers across Africa, with the majority of its assets in Nigeria and South Africa. In Nigeria alone, IHS manages around 18,000 mobile phone towers.\n\nIn February of this year, MTN Group initiated advanced discussions with IHS Holding Limited regarding the acquisition of roughly 75% of the company, which it did not already own. The FCCPC's approval, however, required MTN to gradually sell down its Nigerian stake in IHS, up to 30%, to local investors at market prices. Both MTN Group and IHS have had a long-standing partnership in the telecom infrastructure sector. MTN has previously sold thousands of its telecom towers to IHS through sale-and-leaseback agreements, and a notable transaction took place in South Africa in 2022, where MTN sold over 5,700 sites to IHS as part of their ongoing infrastructure collaboration.\n\nOn August 25, Nairametrics reported that MTN Group is exploring the possibility of obtaining banking licenses in select markets as part of its broader strategy to expand its lending business utilizing its own financial resources.",
  "summary": "MTN Group is seeking local investors to acquire a 30% stake in IHS Nigeria as part of conditions attached to its acquisition of IHS Holding Limited, with the proposed stake sale expected to raise between $900 million and $1.1 billion. The post MTN seeks Nigerian buyers for 30% IHS stake worth up to $1.1 billion appeared first on Nairametrics .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}