1. Can you introduce Helios Towers and explain its mission in Madagascar?
Helios Towers is a leading independent telecommunications infrastructure company operating across Africa and the Middle East. We entered the Malagasy market in November 2021 through the acquisition of passive infrastructure assets from Airtel. Since then, we’ve made significant progress.
Our mission in Madagascar is to support mobile network operators by delivering world-class service through our digital and business excellence platforms. But more importantly, we aim to create sustainable value, for our customers, our communities, the environment, and our investors.
2. What is the current state of telecom infrastructure in Madagascar, and how is Helios Towers addressing existing gaps?
The telecom sector in Madagascar is evolving, but the infrastructure remains relatively underdeveloped compared to other African countries. There are fewer towers available, which limits network expansion. Madagascar’s terrain, logistical hurdles, and climate make it difficult to deploy new infrastructure. Power supply challenges also complicate the picture.
Since entering the market, we’ve invested significantly in upgrading and modernizing the sites we inherited. We’ve introduced new operational standards and technologies, and we’re also deploying hybrid and solar energy solutions to ensure more stable and environmentally friendly operations.
3. How does Helios Towers contribute to improving digital connectivity and bridging the urban-rural divide?
We are deeply focused on expanding affordable, reliable coverage in underserved regions. We work closely with our partners, mobile network operators, to understand their coverage plans, and we align our infrastructure deployments with their strategic goals. Once aligned, we build new sites in areas that previously had no connectivity. I’ve visited remote communities where people celebrated the arrival of a tower with real joy. Some villagers used to walk for miles just to find signal. Bringing first-time connectivity to these regions is incredibly rewarding and a key part of our mission.
4. What are your key investment priorities in Madagascar over the next three to five years?
One of our top priorities is expanding our portfolio of towers through our build-to-suit model, which means constructing infrastructure tailored to mobile operator needs. We currently manage around 640 sites and plan to grow significantly to support broader national coverage. We’re also focusing on increasing our tenancy ratio, encouraging more operators to co-locate on existing towers to enable faster deployment and better efficiency. At the same time, we’re investing heavily in renewable energy and in the upskilling of our team, working with local partners to ensure that growth remains sustainable and inclusive.
5. How does Helios Towers collaborate with mobile network operators and government stakeholders?
We maintain continuous, open dialogue with mobile network operators. We speak with them daily, not just on operational matters, but on long-term commercial, marketing, and technical strategies. We integrate their plans into our development so that our services are fully aligned with their goals.
On the government side, we engage frequently with the Ministry of Telecommunications and the national telecom regulator. We take part in consultations, provide feedback on policy changes, and participate in public events focused on digital inclusion. We also work with environmental agencies, municipalities, and other administrative bodies involved in permitting and compliance. Our role in the ecosystem means collaboration is a constant part of our operations.
6. Sustainability and green energy are clearly important to Helios Towers. How do they shape your infrastructure strategy?
Sustainability is one of the core pillars of our business. Over 80 percent of our towers in Madagascar already operate using hybrid or solar energy. This dramatically reduces our carbon footprint and makes our operations more cost-effective and reliable in areas with limited access to the electrical grid.
Globally, Helios Towers has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. To support that goal, we’ve allocated $100 million to sustainability investments across all our markets. These efforts are also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting our responsibility not just to our shareholders, but to the planet and the communities we serve.
7. What actions are you taking to build local capacity and create jobs in Madagascar?
Ninety-five percent of our team in Madagascar is local. That statistic reflects our commitment to Malagasy talent development. We don’t just hire locally, we invest in training and leadership development. Some of our team members have been sent to Cranfield University in the UK to participate in advanced leadership programs.
Beyond our core team, more than 1,100 people are engaged directly and indirectly in our operations, including subcontractors and service partners. We offer training in technical operations, health and safety, site management, and maintenance. Through programs like Lean Six Sigma, we aim to instill world-class standards in our workforce. It’s not just about jobs, it’s about careers and long-term capacity building.
8. What are the biggest challenges you face when deploying telecom infrastructure in remote areas?
There are several challenges, but the most obvious is logistics. Many roads in remote areas are in poor condition, which makes transporting equipment extremely difficult and costly. The second major challenge is the unreliability or complete absence of power in those regions, which means we must build our own energy solutions from the ground up.
But while these obstacles are real, we also see them as opportunities. There is so much to be done, and the need is urgent. Every new site we build in a remote village can change lives.
9. How do you view the potential for regional expansion in the Indian Ocean and African markets?
The potential is huge. Currently, there are about 220,000 telecom towers in Africa, which is significantly fewer than in other continents. Around 60 percent of those towers are still owned by mobile network operators rather than independent tower companies like us. That means there is a massive opportunity for infrastructure providers to step in and modernize the sector.
Over the past four years, Helios Towers has doubled its business and the number of towers it operates. Our priority right now is to generate strong free cash flow and deliver value to our investors. But if the right opportunities arise, we are absolutely open to expanding into other African or Indian Ocean markets.
10. To wrap up, why is Madagascar a promising destination for telecom and infrastructure investment, and how can Helios Towers be a strategic partner?
Madagascar offers a very compelling opportunity for telecom and infrastructure investment. It has a young and growing population, rising demand for mobile data, and a strong push toward digital inclusion. Helios Towers has already demonstrated belief in the country, we’ve invested, we’re here for the long haul, and our long-term vision aligns with the government’s national coverage goals.
We invite other investors to join us in building Madagascar’s digital future. Helios Towers is a reliable, experienced, and forward-looking partner ready to support both public and private sector development across the country.
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