What Helios Towers does

Helios Towers plc is a London-headquartered, LSE-listed independent telecom tower infrastructure operator serving mobile network operators (MNOs) across nine high-growth markets in Africa and the Middle East: Tanzania, Senegal, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Congo Brazzaville, South Africa, Madagascar, and Oman. Founded in 2009, the company built, acquired, and now operates approximately 15,000 shared telecom tower sites, hosting 33,350 active tenancies at a 2.2x tenancy ratio and providing passive infrastructure to blue-chip MNOs including Airtel Africa, Vodacom, Orange, Omantel, and AXIAN Telecom. Its solution set spans tower colocation, build-to-suit, sale-and-leaseback, managed services, in-building coverage, small cells/outdoor DAS, and a differentiated Power-as-a-Service offering that delivers a stated 99.99% power uptime via hybrid energy systems (solar, battery, generator) and real-time intelligent monitoring.

The underlying technology stack includes proprietary GIS Site Selection Technology for demand-led site identification and sub-24-hour colocation connections, a Business Excellence Programme built on Lean Six Sigma principles for operational performance, and ISO 9001/14001/45001/27001/37001-certified management systems. Helios Towers generates revenue primarily through long-term, inflation-linked tower lease contracts (US towerco-style) with embedded CPI and power escalators, multi-year tenors, and minimal cancellation rights; more than 71% of Adjusted EBITDA is in hard currency, and a contracted revenue backlog of $5.3 billion provides multi-year visibility (average remaining contract life ~6.7 years). FY 2025 revenue was $854 million (up 8% YoY) with $471 million of Adjusted EBITDA (up 12% YoY) at a 56% margin; Q1 2026 revenue of $229 million (+12% YoY) and Adjusted EBITDA of $127.2 million (+14% YoY) underscore the tenancy-led growth trajectory underpinning the IMPACT 2030 strategy.

Name

Helios Towers

Legal name

Helios Towers plc

Website

https://heliostowers.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Helios Towers plc operates approximately 15,000 shared telecom towers across nine African and Middle Eastern markets, providing colocation, build-to-suit, managed services, and power-as-a-service to blue-chip mobile network operators under long-term inflation-linked contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Telecom Tower Infrastructure

NAICS

Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (237130), Utility System Construction (2371)

SIC

Services-Equipment Rental & Leasing, Nec (7359), Operative Builders (1531), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Macro Towers (Ground-Based & Rooftop) (HDAIAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tower Operations & Maintenance (Field Services) (HDAIAKAF), Real Estate, Leasing & Colocation Management (Landlords/REITs) (HDAIAKAJ), Telecom Tower & Mast Construction (Greenfield Builds, Foundations, Erection) (IMAFAIAC), Tower Portfolio Acquisition & Management Platforms (Asset/Lease Management Software) (HDAIAKAL)

Keywords

• Telecom tower infrastructure
• Tower colocation services
• Passive infrastructure leasing
• Power-as-a-service
• Managed network services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tower Infrastructure Services: Build, acquire, lease up and operate mobile towers hosting multiple tenants. Revenue is generated from long-term, inflation-linked contracts (US towerco-style) with MNOs featuring minimal cancellation rights, long-term commitments, and embedded CPI and power escalators. More than 71% of Adjusted EBITDA is in hard currency. Average remaining contract life of approximately 6.7 years with over $5.3 billion in contracted future revenues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Helios Towers builds, acquires, and operates shared passive telecommunications tower infrastructure across nine high-growth markets in Africa and the Middle East, hosting multiple MNO tenants per site under long-term inflation-linked leases. The company delivers colocation, build-to-suit, sale and leaseback, managed services, in-building solutions, small cells, and power-as-a-service to blue-chip mobile network operators including Airtel, Vodacom, Orange, and Omantel. Its portfolio comprises c. 15,000 towers supporting 33,350 active tenancies with a 2.2x tenancy ratio and a $5.3 billion contracted revenue backlog.

Product overview

Helios Towers operates a platform-based telecom tower infrastructure business across nine high-growth markets in Africa and the Middle East. The core offering consists of shared tower infrastructure (Tower Infrastructure/Passive Infrastructure) that provides colocation, build-to-suit, sale & leaseback, and managed services to mobile network operators. Supporting modules include Power-as-a-Service for energy management, In-Building Solutions for indoor coverage, and Small Cells/Outdoor DAS for dense urban areas. The company differentiates through its proprietary GIS Site Selection Technology for optimal site placement and its Business Excellence platform underpinned by Lean Six Sigma principles. The IMPACT 2030 strategy frames the company's growth roadmap, targeting 42,000+ tenancies and a 2.5x+ tenancy ratio by 2030.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tower Infrastructure (Passive Infrastructure) Shared telecom towers hosting multiple MNO tenants, delivering passive infrastructure including site acquisition, build, maintenance, security, and space for customer equipment. Offered to mobile network operators across nine African and Middle Eastern markets.
• Colocation Leasing space on existing Helios Towers sites, offering time-efficient site activation with access to optimally located towers, capital preservation through shared infrastructure, and speed to market without permitting or construction requirements. Delivered to MNO tenants.
• Build-to-Suit Custom tower construction for locations not covered by Helios Towers' existing portfolio, delivering reliable infrastructure suitable for multiple customers and optimized through proprietary IT systems. Sold to MNOs requiring coverage in new geographies.
• Sale & Leaseback Acquisition of existing MNO tower portfolios with simultaneous leaseback to former owners, providing capital release for customers while Helios Towers optimizes acquired towers through improved power uptime and cost streamlining. Sold to MNOs seeking to free capital.
• Managed Services Day-to-day operation and management of customer-owned towers, applying Business Excellence (Lean Six Sigma) practices to improve tower performance and uptime, with ability to place additional tenants. Sold to MNOs outsourcing tower operations.
• In-Building Solutions Bespoke in-building coverage solutions for small, medium, and large requirements including shopping malls, offices, hotels, high-rise apartments, and stadiums. Sold to MNOs and property owners seeking indoor mobile coverage.
• Small Cells / Outdoor DAS Outdoor Distributed Antenna System solutions for dense urban environments to address coverage and capacity challenges, utilizing lampposts or similar smaller infrastructure to offload macro towers. Sold to MNOs seeking urban densification.
• Power-as-a-Service Intelligent energy management and power solutions for telecom sites providing 99.99% power uptime guarantee, reducing emissions and operational costs for MNOs. Sold to MNOs as a power reliability and energy service.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.99% power uptime delivered across portfolio
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ANAPI-RDC (National Agency for Investment Promotion, DRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2026Helios Towers signed an investment agreement with ANAPI-RDC to support the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure across the Democratic Republic of Congo. The partnership involves deploying new telecom sites in both urban and rural areas, extending coverage to underserved communities and supporting broader digital inclusion efforts. The initiative also includes developing local skills and advancing sustainable energy solutions to support telecom operations.
• MTN SA FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 February 2026MTN SA Foundation, Helios Towers, and Datacomb Development Hub launched a 12-month ICT learnership programme targeting South African youth aged 18-30. The programme builds on MTN Foundation's Digital Skills for Digital Jobs (DS4DJ) initiative, which has equipped over 3,746 young people with digital capabilities. Fully funded with no cost to participants, who receive a monthly stipend.
• Datacomb Development HubminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 19 February 2026Multi-organisation ICT learnership initiative in partnership with MTN SA Foundation and Helios Towers, designed to provide employment-focused digital skills training to South African youth.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights1 record

Broad incumbents

• SBA Communications: SBA Communications is a US-listed tower REIT with global operations, sharing the same colocation / build-to-suit tower model and long-term MNO lease economics, though predominantly US/Brazil focused.
• Vantage Towers: Vantage Towers is a European tower operator spun out of Vodafone with the same passive-infrastructure, multi-tenant MNO lease model. A broader incumbent geographically but a close business-model comparable.
• Crown Castle: Crown Castle is a US-listed tower and fiber REIT with shared-infrastructure, long-term MNO contract economics, and tenancy-led growth model broadly comparable to Helios, though operating in the US market.
• Cellnex Telecom: Cellnex is Europe's largest independent tower operator with a shared-infrastructure, inflation-indexed long-lease business model. It is a broader incumbent but its tower portfolio economics and tenancy growth approach are directly comparable.
• American Tower Corporation: American Tower is the largest global REIT tower operator with significant Africa and Middle East exposure (including the former Eaton Towers assets). It is a broader incumbent with US, LatAm, and African portfolios but shares the same shared-infrastructure, long-term-contract business model.

Regional players

• Indus Towers: Indus Towers is India's largest tower company, providing shared passive infrastructure to Indian MNOs via long-term contracts. Operates in a different geography but the tenancy-led, multi-tenant towerco economics are highly comparable.
• INWIT: INWIT is Italy's largest tower operator, listed on the Milan stock exchange, operating shared passive infrastructure for Italian MNOs. Geographically distinct but with directly comparable towerco economics and contract structures.
• Tower Bersama Infrastructure: Tower Bersama is one of Indonesia's largest independent tower operators serving multiple MNOs under long-term leases. Different geography but the same shared-infrastructure, tenancy-ratio-driven towerco model.

Direct peers

• IHS Towers: IHS Towers is the largest independent tower company in Africa, operating tens of thousands of sites across Nigeria, SSA, LatAm and MENA with the same passive infrastructure / colocation / build-to-suit model serving the same blue-chip African MNOs as Helios.

Emerging players

• EdgePoint Infrastructure: EdgePoint Infrastructure is an emerging-market-focused tower company with assets across Southeast Asia (and growing MENA exposure), operating a shared passive infrastructure model with MNO customers similar to Helios.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/heliostowers

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Helios Towers