ALTON urges free right-of-way to expand telecom coverage. Date: 28 October 2026 9:27pm WAT The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has urged state governments to abolish right-of-way charges for telecommunications infrastructure to encourage network expansion into underserved communities. The association said the charges significantly increased the cost of deploying fibre-optic cables, discouraging investment in areas where operators might struggle to recover their costs. Its Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, made the call on Tuesday while speaking on the sidelines of a plenary session sponsored by IHS Nigeria at the 2026 Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja. Right of way refers to the permission granted to telecommunications operators to access and use public or private land, roads and other designated spaces to install fibre-optic cables and other network infrastructure. Adebayo said the charges accounted for between 50 and 60 per cent of the cost of deploying a kilometre of fibre-optic cable in some states. He called for legislation to make right of way for telecommunications infrastructure free, particularly in rural communities and locations with limited commercial prospects. "Today, the cost of right-of-way amounts to a significant part of the cost of fibre deployment. For every one kilometre of fibre that you deploy, in some of the states, the cost of right of way can be as high as 50 to 60 per cent of the cost of deploying the entire infrastructure," he said. Adebayo argued that removing the charges would encourage operators to extend their networks to communities with poor or no connectivity, helping to bridge the country's digital divide. He said the government could also introduce incentives for operators willing to invest in areas where expected revenue might not justify the cost of infrastructure deployment. The ALTON chairman urged stakeholders to identify communities with connectivity gaps and deploy available government intervention funds to support expansion. "There are also intervention funds. We have the Universal Service Provision Fund, which is designed for special intervention in those areas that are lacking coverage," Adebayo said. He rejected the perception that operators were unwilling to invest in rural communities, arguing that appropriate incentives and targeted government support could make such investments more viable. Beyond expanding coverage, Adebayo said Nigeria needed greater investment in fibre-optic cables, telecommunications sites and network capacity to improve service quality and prepare for emerging technologies. He noted that artificial intelligence (AI) depended not only on software and computing power but also on the underlying telecommunications infrastructure that supports connectivity and data transmission. He described telecommunications networks as critical to the digital economy and called for more investors to support the sector's infrastructure needs. Speaking earlier at the summit, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Shuaib Salisu, disclosed that the National Digital Economy and E-Government Bill had reached its third reading. Salisu expressed optimism that the National Assembly would pass the bill before the end of 2026. He added that lawmakers were working on cybersecurity reforms and reviewing the Data Protection Act. He said the Federal Government's planned 90,000-kilometre fibre-optic network would help extend connectivity to underserved communities, while the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme would strengthen Nigeria's digital workforce. The senator urged businesses to engage lawmakers early in the legislative process to ensure that proposed laws reflected industry realities and investment requirements. The remarks formed part of Plenary IV, themed "Innovation, Investment and the Next Decade of Partnership", at the summit organised by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG). Also speaking, Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Mission in Abuja, Jimmy Mauldin, called for stronger investment partnerships between Nigeria and the United States, saying cooperation should go beyond trade to create jobs, transfer technology and strengthen local businesses. Mauldin identified digital infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, critical minerals and financial services as areas with opportunities for deeper collaboration. He said Nigeria's large young population, technology sector and position in West African commerce made it attractive to investors, but stressed that predictable policies, respect for contracts, efficient trade procedures and improved security were essential to sustaining investment. "Capital is mobile. And it's also important to remember that capital is very selective," he said. He added that reliable electricity and secure communities were necessary for businesses to establish factories, deploy fibre networks and operate supply chains. The summit brought together government officials, business leaders, policymakers and development partners to discuss investment, infrastructure and strategies for Nigeria's economic development.

IHS Towers revenue rises 8.2% as power costs hit profit. AFRICAN STOCKS AND FINANCE August 12, 2026 at 3:24 AM UTC Tldr. * IHS Towers reported an 8.2% revenue increase to $844 million in the first half of the year, driven by a stronger naira and higher sales. * Operating income declined by 38.4% in the second quarter, with a net loss of $7.5 million compared to a $32.3 million profit the previous year. * IHS Towers achieved a 2.6% rise in adjusted EBITDA to $514 million, despite facing challenges related to rising energy costs, expenses linked to MTN Group's acquisition, and organic revenue declining by 0.6%. IHS Towers increased first-half revenue as a stronger naira and higher sales supported results, but rising energy costs and expenses tied to its proposed sale to MTN Group weighed on profit. Revenue from continuing operations rose 8.2% to $844 million in the 6 months through June from $780.3 million a year earlier. Second-quarter revenue gained 10.4% to $428.6 million. Power costs were the main pressure. IHS spent $205.4 million on power generation, mainly diesel, in the first half, up 24% from $165.4 million a year earlier. Diesel prices rose across Nigeria following increases in global energy prices. Operating income fell 38.4%, while the company reported a $7.5 million net loss in the second quarter compared with a $32.3 million profit a year earlier. Costs linked to MTN's planned acquisition also affected earnings. IHS recorded $83.1 million in accelerated share-based payments and employee incentives related to the transaction and asset sales. Adjusted EBITDA still rose 2.6% to $514 million in the first half. A stronger naira added $40.7 million to second-quarter revenue and $22.6 million to adjusted EBITDA. Underlying growth was weaker. Organic revenue declined 0.6% in the first half as new tenants, sites and lease changes were offset by lower foreign-exchange-linked revenue and site exits. About 1,050 sites were vacated under IHS's renewed agreement with MTN Nigeria. IHS operated 37,672 towers at the end of June, down 1,512 from a year earlier, with the sale of its Rwanda business accounting for most of the reduction. IHS is also exiting Latin America ahead of MTN's $8.50-a-share takeover. Shareholders approved the deal in August, with regulatory clearances still pending. IHS sold its stake in Brazilian fiber company I-Systems for $183 million and completed the sale of its Brazil and Colombia tower operations. It ended June with $1.5 billion of liquidity and $3.11 billion of borrowings. Key takeaways. IHS's results show why the MTN transaction comes at a point of change for the tower company. Revenue is growing, but part of that increase came from the stronger naira rather than more activity at its sites. Organic revenue fell 0.6%, while power generation costs rose by $40 million in 6 months. That matters because tower companies earn long-term lease income but must keep sites running regardless of diesel and electricity prices. Higher energy costs can therefore reduce the benefit of revenue growth. IHS is responding by narrowing its footprint, selling Latin American and other assets and focusing on Africa, where MTN is already its largest customer. The takeover would bring a major tower supplier and tenant under the same group, giving MTN more control over infrastructure costs but ending IHS's run as an independent listed company. IHS's $1.5 billion liquidity position provides room to meet obligations, though $3.11 billion of borrowings remains on the balance sheet. The next issue is regulatory approval for the MTN deal. Until it closes, investors should watch underlying revenue, energy expenses and cash generation rather than headline sales growth. Those figures show whether the core African tower portfolio is improving before ownership changes. Think someone else should see this? Next frontier. Pulse54. UDeep-dives into what's old and new in Africa's investment landscape. Delivered twice monthly. Events. Sign up to stay informed about its regular webinars, product launches, and exhibitions.