02 November 2022

Airtel Africa has signed a multi-year partnership agreement with American Tower Corporation Africa (ATC Africa) to continue the deployment of its network in Africa. ATC Africa will provide Airtel Africa with its portfolio of telecom sites in Kenya, Niger, Nigeria and Uganda, as well as its capacity to develop new sites and products.

The partnership should increase connectivity in Africa, extend digital inclusion to underserved communities and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, ATC Africa plans to use renewable energy sources to power its sites.

Airtel Africa has embarked on an extensive asset monetization program as of 2021 which includes the sale of part of its tower portfolio. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), this is part of the company’s new strategy to reduce ownership of its infrastructure in favour of leasing. Airtel Africa plans to partner with independent telecommunications tower companies to expand its network, either by leasing space on their existing infrastructure or by contracting them to build towers specific to network coverage needs.