Bharti Airtel-backed Indus Towers announced plans to expand beyond India into select African markets, starting with Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia. The decision, approved by its board of directors, is aimed at diversifying revenues, scaling operations, and creating long-term value.
Indus, which operates over 251,700 towers across India, will leverage its strong financial position and anchor relationship with Airtel to establish a foothold in Africa. The company also plans to explore additional opportunities in other countries where Airtel Africa operates, including Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The African tower market is highly competitive, with major players like IHS Towers, Helios Towers, and American Tower Corporation (ATC). ATC, which already supports Airtel Africa’s rollouts under a multi-year deal, recently renewed its agreement for 7,000 sites across several countries. Indus aims to differentiate itself through innovative and cost-efficient solutions while complying with local regulatory requirements.
Indus Towers MD and CEO Prachur Sah said the company is confident it can emerge as a preferred partner in Africa’s rapidly growing telecom sector.
