MTN Group will absorb 2,762 employees from IHS Towers as part of its planned $2.2 billion acquisition of the infrastructure company, in a move that signals a major shift in how Africa’s largest telecom operator manages its network assets.
The company said it will guarantee salaries, bonuses and core benefits for all incoming staff for at least one year after the deal closes, aiming to ensure stability as workers are integrated into its operations.
The acquisition marks a strategic change for MTN, which has historically relied on independent tower companies like IHS Towers to run its telecom infrastructure. By bringing these operations in-house, MTN is seeking greater control over network quality, costs and long-term expansion.
Nigeria accounts for the largest share of the workforce transfer, with 1,559 employees, reflecting the country’s importance to both companies. Other staff will come from markets including Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Zambia and South Africa.
Read also: MTN Group in advanced talks to acquire remaining 75% stake in IHS Towers
The majority of employees moving to MTN are in technical roles, underlining the engineering-heavy nature of tower operations. IHS Towers reported 1,621 technical staff, alongside smaller teams in finance, IT and human resources.
The deal also includes hundreds of temporary workers supporting key areas such as maintenance, compliance and legal services, which are expected to remain critical as MTN expands its infrastructure footprint.
Industry analysts say the move reflects a broader rethink among African telecom operators about their dependence on tower companies. While outsourcing helped reduce capital costs in the past, rising lease expenses and operational challenges are pushing operators to reconsider ownership.
Recent developments in Nigeria highlight this shift. MTN Nigeria agreed in 2024 to vacate about 1,050 tower sites under renegotiated contracts with IHS, part of efforts to reduce costs. At the same time, IHS has faced tenant exits, including thousands of site departures linked to struggling operators.
Related News Despite these pressures, Nigeria remains central to IHS Towers’ business. The company generated more than $1 billion in revenue from the country in 2025, driven by new site deployments, pricing adjustments and increased sharing of existing towers.
However, the business has also faced headwinds, including currency volatility, higher diesel costs and contract changes, which have weighed on organic revenue growth.
Ahead of the acquisition, IHS Towers has been restructuring its portfolio, allowing financially distressed tenants to exit sites in exchange for structured debt repayment plans. This is expected to reduce risks for MTN when it takes full ownership.
Labour relations across IHS markets have remained stable, with no major strikes reported. In some countries, including Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Zambia, a portion of workers are unionised under national agreements, a factor that could shape integration plans.
IHS reported staff costs of $166.4 million in 2025, reflecting rising expenses across the industry as companies compete for skilled technical talent.
Read also: IHS employees get 12-month pay protection ahead of MTN merger
Once completed, the deal will lead to the delisting of IHS Towers and its full integration into MTN, creating one of Africa’s largest combined telecom and tower infrastructure operations.
The transaction underscores a growing trend in the sector: operators are moving from leasing infrastructure to owning it, as they seek tighter control over networks in a fast-changing and cost-sensitive market.
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