Indus Towers’ Africa expansion echoes India’s broader vision of transforming homegrown champions into global infrastructure leaders.
Indus Towers, India’s largest passive telecom infrastructure provider, has approved its entry into African markets, beginning with Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia. The move marks a strategic step towards international diversification, leveraging its anchor relationship with Bharti Airtel and a robust financial position.
The company’s board gave its consent following a detailed review of growth opportunities in emerging geographies at a meeting held on Tuesday. In a statement, Indus Towers said select African markets offer strong potential for revenue diversification, operational scalability, and long-term value creation.
Telecom tycoon Sunil Bharti Mittal-led Bharti Airtel holds a majority stake of over 50 per cent in Indus Towers, and serves as its anchor tenant across India and proposed international markets.
The expansion will be anchored by Airtel’s existing footprint in these regions, allowing Indus Towers to establish a competitive presence while continuing to evaluate other African markets where Airtel already operates.
Commenting on the development, Prachur Sah, Managing Director & CEO, Indus Towers, said: “The board’s approval to enter international markets in Africa unlocks our vision for long-term sustainable growth and value creation for our shareholders. By leveraging our expertise in delivering innovative and cost-effective solutions, we are well-positioned to differentiate ourselves in Africa’s fast-growing telecom market and emerge as the preferred tower company.”
The company added that the proposal aligns with the Indian government’s broader vision of encouraging domestic enterprises to expand globally and evolve into multinational entities. The initiative is subject to necessary approvals and compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements. Further disclosures will be made as material developments occur.
Indus Towers operates a portfolio of 251,773 telecom towers across all 22 telecom circles in India, serving every major wireless service provider. With this proposed international foray, the company aims to extend its leadership in telecom infrastructure to high-growth markets beyond India.