Indus Towers Limited has approved plans to expand into Africa, with its initial entry focused on Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia.
The move was cleared at a board meeting held earlier this week as the company seeks new growth opportunities outside India.
“Recognising the growth potential in emerging geographies, the Board has approved the Company’s foray into African markets, beginning with Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia. These markets offer attractive prospects for revenue diversification, operational scalability, and long-term value creation,” a statement released on September 4 read in part.
Indus Towers explained that it will rely on its strong financial base and its anchor customer relationship with Bharti Airtel to gain a competitive foothold in the region.
The board also noted that other African markets where Airtel is already present could be considered in future.
The company added that this international push reflects India’s broader ambition to encourage domestic firms to grow globally.
“This strategic direction also complements the Government of India’s broader vision of encouraging Indian enterprises to expand globally and evolve into multinational entities,” the statement read.
Managing Director and CEO Prachur Sah said the step marks a milestone in the company’s strategy.
“The Board’s approval to enter international markets in Africa unlocks our vision for long-term sustainable growth and value creation for our shareholders. By leveraging our expertise in delivering innovative and cost-effective solutions, we are well-positioned to differentiate ourselves in Africa’s fast-growing telecom market and emerge as the preferred tower company.”
The company stressed that its entry into Africa will be subject to regulatory approvals and compliance with local laws. Updates will be provided as progress is made.
Indus Towers is one of the largest telecom tower infrastructure providers in the world. Headquartered in Gurugram, the company operates more than 250,000 towers across all 22 telecom circles in India.
It was formed in 2020 following the merger of Bharti Infratel and Indus Towers, creating a giant in the industry that serves major operators such as Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea. The company has also built a reputation for its focus on green energy solutions and sustainable operations, which it plans to integrate into its international expansion.
Leave a comment