Nigerian telecoms group, IHS Holding Limited, has signed an agreement to purchase Brazil’s Cell Site Solutions (CSS) from affiliates of Goldman Sachs and Centaurus Capital LP in an undisclosed fee.
Under the terms of the agreement, IHS will acquire 100percent stake in CSS and it will be fully integrated into IHS.
The acquisition is part of IHS’S strategy to expand in Latin America and become the leading owner, operator and developer of shared telecommunications infrastructure in emerging markets.
On completion, which is subject to all necessary regulatory approvals, the management team and all employees of CSS will join IHS.
CSS has approximately 2,290 towers and other telecommunications infrastructure sites across Brazil, Peru and Colombia. The company’s four solutions – Build To Suit (BTS), Collocation, Distributed Antenna Systems and Small Cells, further complement and enhance IHS’ offering as it seeks to bring increased connectivity to emerging markets and pursue the strategic expansion goal of becoming the world’s leading emerging markets towerco.
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The addition of three new markets in Latin America region adds significant future growth potential to the IHS business.
Sam Darwish, IHS chairman, and chief executive said with the new acquisition, IHS will be well placed to deliver on these demands following its exceptional 18-year track record globally coupled with the excellent track-record of the CSS management team over the last six years.
CSS has approximately 2,290 towers and other telecommunications infrastructure sites across Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. IHS is one of the largest independent tower operators in EMEA and the third largest independent multinational tower operator globally.
Citi is serving as financial advisor and Allen & Overy LLP along with Souza, Mello e Torres Advogados are serving as legal counsel to IHS.
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Banco Itau BBA
S.A. are serving as financial advisors to CSS. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and
Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr e Quiroga Advogados are serving as legal counsel to CSS and affiliates of Goldman Sachs and Centaurus.
