London -- Helios Towers plc. ("Helios Towers" or "Group"), the independent telecommunications tower infrastructure company, today announces the signing of an agreement between one of its South African subsidiaries, HTSA Towers (Pty) Ltd. ("HTSA") and Eagle Towers SA (RF) (Pty) Ltd ("Eagle Towers") to acquire 65 wireless telecommunications sites in South Africa and to collaborate on future business. A significant majority of the tenancies of these sites are with Africa's largest Mobile Network Operators. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2020 and is subject to customary closing conditions.
This transaction is aligned with the Group's stated strategy of broadening its geographic footprint, adding further towers to the portfolio acquired and built-out in South Africa since HTSA was established in 2019. This acquisition enables HTSA to increase its network reach and offering to customers in the Western Cape Region of South Africa, and continues to demonstrate the Group's ability to execute on its strategy of both organic and acquisitive growth.
Commenting on this agreement, Kash Pandya, CEO of Helios Towers said today:
"We are delighted to announce the acquisition of this new site portfolio, through our joint platform with Vulatel in South Africa. We look forward to continue delivering on our strategy of providing MNOs with high quality, reliable and cost-effective open-access tower infrastructure in South Africa.
South Africa is a strategic market for Helios Towers, and we are keen to leverage our expertise in tower infrastructure to expand there, both organically and through acquisitions."
Commenting on this agreement, Avril Van Der Rheede, CEO of Eagle Towers said today:
"We are delighted to partner with Helios Towers on this transaction and look forward to our future business relationship."
Media Relations
Edward Bridges / Stephanie Ellis
FTI Consulting LLP
+44 (0)20 3727 1000
About Helios Towers ("HT")
- Helios Towers is a leading independent telecommunications infrastructure company in Africa, having established one of the continent's most extensive tower portfolios with close to 7,000 towers across five countries. It builds, owns and operates telecom passive infrastructure, providing services to mobile network operators.
- Helios Towers owns and operates more sites than any other operator in each of Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC"), and Congo Brazzaville. It is also a leading operator in Ghana with a strong urban presence and established a presence in South Africa in 2019.
- Helios Towers pioneered the sale-leaseback model in Africa, buying towers that were held by single operators and providing services utilising the tower infrastructure to the seller and other operators. This allows wireless operators to outsource non-core tower-related activities, enabling them to focus their capital and managerial resources on providing higher quality services more cost-effectively.
- Helios Towers plc listed on the main list of the London Stock Exchange in October 2019 (ticker: HTWS) and is a member of its FTSE 250 Index.
For further information go to:
www.heliostowers.com
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HELIOS TOWERS PLC 
