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Tag: IHS Towers

  • Kwara signs partnership deal with IHS Towers on innovation hub

    Kwara signs partnership deal with IHS Towers on innovation hub

    Kwara State Government has struck a deal with global telecoms giant IHS Towers on how to effectively deploy the Ilorin Innovation Hub to deliver on its core objectives of making the state the go-to place for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship as well as drive rapid socioeconomic growth.

     “Today’s MOU signing represents a dream come true for our administration,” Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said yesterday shortly after signing the deal in Ilorin, the state capital, at an event attended by top government officials and IHS leaders led by its chief executive officer Mohammed Darwish.

     “In an age increasingly dominated by digital natives whose lives revolve around technology as well as digital naturals who live the realities of technology and the advantages it offers, we saw a need to lead in giving necessary skills and support to these important cohorts and leverage the same to build a stronger economy. Our objectives are to offer the tools, resources, and environment that innovators and startups require to flourish, especially in the realm of digital and tech skills. By this, we see a future where Kwara sees job creation, poverty reduction, and improved well-being of the people.

     “But having the right partnership and technical support to run this tech space is critical to achieving these objectives, efficiency, and sustainability. This is why I am excited about this strategic partnership with the global tech giant IHS Towers to drive the project. With its proven expertise and legacy of innovation, HIS fits into our vision for this initiative.

    The facility is envisioned to be a leading center for technology and innovation in Nigeria, focusing on fostering disruptive ideas and supporting startups.

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    Temi Kolawole, the Innovation Hub’s Managing Director, remarked on the synergy between the two entities: “This partnership has identified a mutual focal point in our shared passion for innovation, digital skill enhancement, and job creation. We’re committed to ensuring the Hub’s sustainability and leaving a legacy, fuelled by Governor AbdulRahman’s vision for youth development that will trigger state and national development.”

    Kolawole also mentioned the upcoming collaboration of the Ilorin Innovation Hub with the Federal Ministry of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy on various programmes, with IHS Towers as a mutual partner.

    This partnership is anticipated to enhance the Hub’s offerings further and extend its impact, he added.

    Darwish commended Kwara State’s progressive digital policies, particularly the free Right of Way for Fiber Optic Cable deployment, which is critical in facilitating the growth of the digital economy in the state.

  • IHS Towers assures of commitment to Nigeria

    IHS Towers assures of commitment to Nigeria

    One of the largest independent owners, operators and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, IHS Towers, has assured President Bola Tinubu of its commitment to developing the economy.

    The company, which gave the assurance after its meeting with President Tinubu at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States said its operations have earned the country a strong foothold in the global telecommunications market. 

    Its Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Ayotade Oyinlola, said the company’s story epitomises the potential of Nigerian companies on the global stage.

    “In an era where connectivity serves as the lifeblood of societies and economies, IHS Towers stands as a beacon of success, demonstrating how a company that started in Nigeria can expand to become a global powerhouse. In a little over two decades, IHS has evolved into a multinational communications infrastructure leader with operations in 11 countries across three continents, which have a combined population of approximately 780 million people.”

    Oyinlola noted the various other contributions the company is making towards the growth and development of Nigeria. Some of which include being part of the telecoms sector’s 16.06 per cent contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

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    IHS Nigeria employs over 1,100 individuals in the country and an additional approximate 40,000 employees indirectly, including contractors spanning various sectors such as power/energy utility, logistics, real estate, oil and gas, civil engineering, and core telecoms in the country.

    He said in spite of the company’s expansive global footprint, which includes a tower count of nearly 40,000 towers across Nigeria, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Kuwait, Peru, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia, the company proudly maintains its Nigerian identity.

    Also speaking on the occasion, its Executive Vice President, Communications, Colby Synesael said IHS Towers plays the role of a global corporate ambassador seeking to build investor confidence internationally.

    “As the fifth-largest independent multinational tower company globally in terms of tower count, IHS exemplifies efficiency and scale. The company made history by becoming one of the largest Africa-related IPOs on US capital markets through its listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2021,” Synesael said.

    The communications chief listed some of the company’s recorded achievements which have made it significant bedrock within the communications value chain in Nigeria.

    “IHS’ substantial investments in passive infrastructure, including leasing tower space to providers, such as mobile network operators and internet service providers, has effectively lowered barriers to entry and enhanced cost-effectiveness, enabling these providers to expand their operations. With the ownership of over 16,000 towers in Nigeria and the deployment of over 8,800 kilometers of optic fiber across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), IHS has facilitated the expansion of communications services, providing Nigerians with more access to connectivity than ever before,” Synesael said, adding that this has pushed IHS Towers to focus on a diverse portfolio of services including optic fiber connectivity, rural telephony and cutting-edge solutions such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge Data Centers, thereby bridging the digital divide and ensuring connectivity for all.

    In terms of sustainability, IHS’ Mission T project has provided digital learning opportunities to over 550,000 students in Nigeria, equipping them with essential digital skills for the future. Furthermore, its collaboration with UNICEF on the School Connectivity Project has impacted the lives of approximately 70,000 Nigerian students across 187 schools in 15 states.

    Additionally, according to IHS, it has been at the forefront of advocating for sustainable, green energy solutions. In 2022 alone, the company dedicated a substantial investment of over $200 million to its Project Green initiative, the next significant step in its Carbon Reduction Roadmap. Announced in October 2022, the Carbon Reduction Roadmap provides a comprehensive strategy for decreasing IHS Towers’ emissions, including a goal to reduce the Scope 1 and Scope 2 kilowatt-hour emissions intensity of its tower portfolio by 50per cent by 2030.