IHS Towers, a company that owns and operates mobile phone masts used by networks including MTN and Airtel across Africa, is pumping the brakes on spending. In the first three months of 2026, the company cut its infrastructure investment by 5.3% compared to the same period last year—from $41.4 million—and that slowdown could eventually reach your phone.
Why is IHS Towers slowing down?
Rising costs across Africa are squeezing the company’s wallet. Energy prices, inflation, and foreign exchange pressure have made building and maintaining telecom towers much more expensive. Instead of expanding rapidly, IHS Towers is now spreading out or delaying non-urgent projects—new tower builds, power system upgrades, and fibre network expansion—while focusing only on work that generates quick returns.
The company is also in the middle of major changes. In February 2026, it announced plans to sell off its Latin American business, and it’s waiting for approval of a $2.2 billion acquisition by MTN Group expected later this year.
What does this mean for you?
When tower companies slow infrastructure spending, telecom subscribers feel it. Here’s the practical impact:
- Slower network upgrades: Your 4G speeds may not improve as quickly, and 5G rollout—already limited in Ghana—will likely take longer to reach more areas.
- Weaker coverage in crowded areas: During peak hours in Accra or Kumasi, you may experience more dropped calls or slower data speeds.
- Delayed coverage in rural areas: Towns and villages awaiting better network reach will have to wait longer.
The delay matters most if you rely on mobile data for work, streaming, or fintech apps. Nigeria, IHS Towers’ biggest market, saw data subscriptions jump to 153 million in March 2026—and that demand is growing everywhere. Slower infrastructure expansion makes it harder for networks to keep up.
Is Ghana affected more than other countries?
The primary source does not detail Ghana-specific spending cuts, but the slowdown affects the company’s broader strategy across its markets. If IHS Towers operates towers serving Ghanaian telecom operators, they would feel the impact through delayed tower builds and upgrades.
Interestingly, even with lower capital spending, IHS Towers reported strong financial results overall. Revenue rose 6% to $415.4 million, and cash flow jumped 15.8%. The company is being more selective with money, not running out of it.
What should you watch?
Keep an eye on announcements from MTN Ghana and other networks about 4G and 5G expansion timelines. If you’re in a rural area or a growing suburb, delays in network upgrades may affect your ability to switch providers or get better service. If you work from home or stream video regularly, slower network improvements could eventually translate to frustration during peak usage hours.
The good news: IHS Towers says demand for telecom infrastructure remains steady. The slowdown is about efficiency, not collapse.
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