A significant infrastructure deal has been agreed in Tanzania between the national subsidiaries of independent telecom towers company Helios Towers Africa and operator Vodacom. The deal will see Helios Towers Tanzania (HTT) acquire 100% of Vodacom Tanzania’s existing tower network in the country for stock and cash.
The deal is Vodacom Group’s first ever towers transaction, and involves the transfer of 1,149 existing telecoms towers from Vodacom to HTT, as well as a commitment to an ambitious, short-term rollout which will see a significant increase in points of service owned by HTT.
The deal more than doubles HTT’s existing presence in Tanzania, with the firm acquiring all of Vodacom’s existing passive infrastructure. The deal will expand HTA’s tower coverage in Africa to 4,700 owned towers. The transaction involves Vodacom acquiring a 24.5% share in HTT.
Chuck Green, Chief Executive Officer of HTA, added: “HTA is proud to be chosen by Vodacom as its partner for the ownership and management of its existing infrastructure and as the solution provider for its future roll out. This is a ground-breaking move for Vodacom.”
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
