IHS Towers closes $452.6 million Brazil fiber asset sale

IHS Towers, a global telecom infrastructure group led by U.S.-Nigerian telecom billionaire Sam Darwish, has completed the sale of its 51% stake in Brazilian fiber network operator I-Systems Soluções de Infraestrutura S.A. to TIM S.A. in a transaction valued at $452.6 million.

The deal gives TIM full ownership of one of Brazil’s largest shared optical fiber platforms, spanning 22,250 route kilometers and covering more than 6.4 million Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) households. The transaction forms part of IHS Towers’ broader strategy to streamline operations and focus on higher-return telecom infrastructure assets across emerging markets.

IHS Towers exits Brazil fiber market

The transaction involves the sale of IHS Towers’ 51% stake in I-Systems Soluções de Infraestrutura S.A. to TIM, which previously held 49%. The deal gives TIM complete ownership of a fiber platform spanning more than 22,000 route kilometers and reaching millions of households across Brazil.

The disposal marks IHS Towers’ latest move to reduce exposure to capital-intensive fiber operations outside its core African tower business. The company first announced the transaction on Feb. 11, 2026, as part of a broader restructuring initiative involving the sale of its Latin American fiber and tower assets.

TIM expands broadband strategy

For TIM, the acquisition strengthens its position in Brazil’s fast-growing fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband segment. Full ownership of the network is expected to improve operational efficiency, accelerate broadband deployment, and support rising demand for high-speed internet services.

The deal highlights a broader industry trend where tower operators are divesting fiber assets while telecom carriers consolidate ownership of broadband infrastructure.

As competition intensifies, scale and efficiency are becoming critical drivers of profitability.

MTN deal reshapes strategy

The divestment also comes amid a larger restructuring tied to MTN Group’s proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of IHS Towers’ African operations. The deal underscores growing consolidation across telecom infrastructure in emerging markets. Regulatory approvals related to the broader restructuring are expected to continue through 2026 as IHS Towers advances its transition toward a more focused emerging-market telecom infrastructure model.