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Zain Saudi to Sell and Lease Back Mobile Towers to IHS for $648 million

Bader Al Kharafi, Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, Zain and Vice-Chairman of Zain Saudi Arabia Bader Al Kharafi, Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, Zain and Vice-Chairman of Zain Saudi Arabia Image Credit: Zain Saudi Arabia

Zain Group has approved an offer to sell and lease back the passive physical infrastructure of its mobile tower portfolio to IHS for circa SAR 2.43 billion (USD 648 million).

IHS is the largest independent tower operator in Europe, Middle East and Africa by tower count and the third largest independent multinational tower company globally. Zain KSA has more than 8,100 mobile telecommunication towers located in prime and strategic locations across the Kingdom.  

Under the terms of the agreement, Zain KSA is selling only its passive, physical infrastructure to IHS and will retain its intelligent software, technology and intellectual property with respect to managing its network. The agreement also involves a lease back period of 15 years, with a 5-year renewal option and building of an additional 1500 towers over next 6 years.  

This offer for Zain KSA’ tower portfolio is a consolidatory move as it comes after Zain Kuwait entered into an agreement also with IHS Holding, which was the first sale and leaseback deal of telecom towers in the Middle East region by a licensed mobile operator, and that will create the first independent tower operator of scale in the region.

Bader Al Kharafi, Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, Zain and Vice-Chairman of Zain Saudi Arabia
The sale of Zain KSA’s impressive tower network is a highly positive move, as it creates shareholder value by helping the company reduce its debt position, as the proceeds will be used to reduce the company’s Murabaha facility. 

Author

Ray is a news editor at The Fast Mode, bringing with him more than 10 years of experience in the wireless industry.

For tips and feedback, email Ray at ray.sharma(at)thefastmode.com, or reach him on LinkedIn @raysharma10, Facebook @1RaySharma

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