MTN Group has entered advanced talks to acquire the roughly 75 percent stake in IHS Holding Limited that it does not already own, a move that would give Africa’s largest mobile network operator full control of one of the world’s biggest independent tower companies. In a cautionary notice to investors, MTN confirmed it is assessing a potential buyout of minority shareholders following market speculation. The company stressed that discussions are ongoing and no binding agreement has been reached.
MTN indicated that any potential offer would likely be close to IHS’s last trading price on the New York Stock Exchange as of February 4, 2025. IHS shares have risen sharply in recent months amid renewed interest in telecom infrastructure. MTN warned that a completed deal could materially affect its share price and advised investors to trade with caution.
MTN already has a deep operational relationship with IHS after selling thousands of towers through sale and leaseback deals. A full acquisition would signal a strategic shift back toward infrastructure ownership, reflecting changing dynamics in Africa’s telecom sector.
