.jpeg "IHS Towers informs Tinubu that we have established Nigeria as a global telecoms player.")
The corporation declared this statement subsequent to its meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
According to Ayotade Oyinlola, the Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief HR Officer of IHS Towers, the narrative of the company serves as a prime example of the capabilities exhibited by Nigerian enterprises in the international arena.
In a contemporary period characterized by the vital role of connectivity in both societal and economic domains, IHS Towers emerges as a prominent exemplar of achievement, showcasing the trajectory of a Nigerian-based enterprise that has successfully expanded its operations to attain a position of worldwide prominence. Over the course of slightly more than twenty years, IHS has undergone significant growth and transformation, establishing itself as an international telecommunications infrastructure corporation. Its operations span across eleven nations, situated on three different continents, and have a profound influence on the lives of more than 750 million individuals.
The author observed that, notwithstanding the extensive worldwide presence of the company, encompassing an impressive total of approximately 40,000 towers distributed across various countries such as Nigeria, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Kuwait, Peru, Rwanda, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Zambia, the company remains steadfast in upholding its Nigerian heritage.
According to Colby Synesael, the Executive Vice President of Communications, IHS Towers serves as a global corporate ambassador, fostering investor confidence on an international scale.
IHS, being the fifth-largest independent international tower firm worldwide in terms of tower count, serves as a prime example of operational efficiency and extensive scope. In 2021, the company achieved a significant milestone by becoming the inaugural Nigerian-based company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This achievement serves as a representation of Nigeria's substantial global potential, facilitating increased participation from international investors and serving as an educational platform to highlight the benefits of investing in Nigeria.
Synesael enumerated a selection of accomplishments that the company has attained, establishing it as a prominent entity within the telecommunications value chain in the nation. These successes encompass the reduction of obstacles to entry and the improvement of cost-efficiency for stakeholders in the telecommunications industry.
The significant investments made by IHS in passive infrastructure, such as leasing tower space to mobile network operators and internet service providers, have successfully reduced barriers to entry and improved cost-efficiency. As a result, these providers have been able to expand their operations.
Moreover, by possessing a portfolio of more than 16,000 towers in Nigeria and implementing an extensive network of 6,500 kilometers of metro optic fiber across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), IHS has effectively contributed to the growth and enhancement of telecommunications services.
Consequently, a larger proportion of the Nigerian population now enjoys improved connectivity and increased access to telecommunications services compared to previous periods.
As to his statement, significant advancements have resulted in a wide range of services encompassing optic fibre connectivity, rural telephone, and innovative solutions like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge Data Centre. These developments have effectively reduced the digital gap and ensured universal connectivity.
Oyinlola highlighted other efforts that the corporation is making to foster the growth and development of the nation. Several contributions have been made by the telecommunications sector, as reported by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics.
These contributions include a 16.06 percent contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Additionally, the sector has played a significant role in job creation, employing over 1,100 individuals directly and an additional 40,000 individuals indirectly. These indirect employees include contractors working in various sectors such as power/energy utility, logistics, real estate, oil and gas, civil engineering, and core telecommunications in Nigeria.
Within the realm of corporate social responsibility, the Mission T initiative by IHS Towers has facilitated access to digital learning for a substantial number of pupils, exceeding 550,000. This endeavor has effectively equipped these individuals with necessary digital competencies that will prove invaluable in the forthcoming era.
In addition, the partnership between the organization and UNICEF in the School Connectivity initiative has had a significant influence on the educational experiences of about 70,000 students in Nigeria. This impact has been observed across a total of 187 schools located in 15 different states within the country.
Furthermore, as per the company's statements, it has consistently taken a leading role in promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions. In the year 2022, the corporation made a significant financial commitment of more than $100 million towards its Project Green project.
The primary objective of this effort is to achieve a significant reduction of carbon emissions within IHS Towers' expansive network, which comprises more than 16,000 locations throughout Nigeria. The ambitious target is to decrease carbon emissions by an admirable 50 percent by the year 2030.