Independent telecoms infrastructure operator Helios Towers has signed an agreement with the Senegalese government to invest almost USD200 million in the country over five years, reports Agence Ecofin. The announcement follows the company’s acquisition of 1,200 telecom towers from mobile network operator (MNO) Free Senegal in September 2020, adding to its passive infrastructure in Ghana,Tanzania, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, South Africa and Madagascar.
‘A company like Helios, with its capacity for investment in the sector, its best practice and operational excellence derived from around ten years’ experience in other countries in the region, can provide support to companies in the ecosystem, first and foremost the operators,’ said Helios Towers Senegal CEO Karim Ndiaye.
The government hopes that sharing Helios’ infrastructure will allow the country’s three leading MNOs – Free, Orange and Expresso – to expand coverage in underserved areas and reduce their operating costs. According to the Minister of Digital Economy and Telecommunications Yankhoba Diattara, the commercial partnership is expected to have ‘a leverage effect which operators can use to further lower prices’ for customers.