Why Telecom Masts Matter
Telecom masts—sometimes called towers or base stations—are the backbone of Nigeria’s mobile economy. Every phone call, text message, online payment, and social media stream depends on these structures. They hold antennas, radios, and power systems that link mobile devices to operator networks. Without them, connectivity breaks down.
Nigeria has one of the largest telecommunications markets in Africa, with over 220 million active mobile lines. To keep this huge network running, the country relies on tens of thousands of masts spread across cities, towns, and rural villages. But the operators themselves—MTN, Airtel, 9mobile, and Glo—rarely manage all these towers directly anymore. Instead, they lease them from specialist infrastructure companies known as towercos. This shift enables operators to cut costs and expand coverage more quickly, while allowing tower companies to focus on building and maintaining sites.
The Major Tower Companies in Nigeria
IHS Towers
IHS Towers is the undisputed leader in Nigeria’s mast market. The company manages roughly 19,000 towers nationwide, making Nigeria its single largest and most important market. In August 2024, IHS signed a landmark deal with MTN Nigeria, renewing and extending leases on more than 13,500 sites until 2032. The new contracts introduced a mix of naira and US dollar payments to mitigate the financial risks associated with exchange-rate fluctuations, which have previously affected both operators and tower companies.
IHS also secured a long-term contract with Airtel Nigeria, covering thousands of existing sites and adding close to 4,000 new tenancies. These renewals and expansions mean that IHS will continue to host Nigeria’s two largest mobile operators for most of the next decade. The company’s scale allows it to invest in hybrid power systems, security, and technology upgrades that smaller players would struggle to finance.
ATC Nigeria (American Tower Corporation)
American Tower Corporation (ATC), through its Nigerian subsidiary, is the second-biggest player in the country’s tower market. ATC first entered Nigeria in 2014 by acquiring thousands of towers from Airtel, and since then, it has steadily grown its portfolio to around 8,000 sites.
In 2024, ATC made another major breakthrough when MTN split part of its expiring tower leases between ATC and IHS. Under the new arrangement, ATC took over about 2,100 sites, while IHS retained around 1,400, including 1,000 new builds. These contracts also run until 2032, giving ATC long-term visibility and a strong position in the Nigerian market. This deal cemented ATC’s role as a critical landlord to both Airtel and MTN, ensuring that it will continue to benefit from the country’s growing data consumption.
Pan African Towers (PAT) and SWAP
While multinational giants have dominated the Nigerian tower market, Pan African Towers (PAT) represents a homegrown alternative. In 2022, PAT merged with SWAP Technologies, creating Nigeria’s largest indigenous tower company. Together, the merged entity manages roughly 1,000 towers, a small number compared to IHS and ATC but significant for a local operator.
PAT’s advantage lies in its deep knowledge of the local market and its ability to respond flexibly to the needs of Nigerian operators. Unlike multinationals with global priorities, PAT focuses solely on Nigeria and the West African region. Its strategy is to expand gradually, strengthen partnerships with smaller operators, and fill gaps in coverage that bigger towercos may overlook. The company is also expanding into renewable energy solutions, helping to reduce the cost of powering towers in areas with unreliable electricity supplies.
Smaller and Specialist Players
Nigeria’s mast market also features smaller but important players. Eastcastle Infrastructure manages approximately 200 towers and is investing in build-to-suit projects in high-demand areas, particularly urban centers where mobile data traffic is rapidly increasing. The company is cautious but strategic, positioning itself as a niche alternative for operators that need tailored solutions.
Another noteworthy player is Africa Mobile Networks (AMN), which specializes in rural connectivity. AMN has rolled out hundreds of small, low-cost base stations in remote villages. In 2024, it began linking more than 100 rural sites to Starlink satellites for backhaul. This upgrade increased network traffic by over 40% in those areas, demonstrating how innovation can help narrow Nigeria’s digital divide.
The Mobile Operators
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MTN Nigeria, the largest operator with more than 77 million subscribers, relies heavily on IHS and ATC for its tower infrastructure.
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Airtel Nigeria: The second-largest operator, also deeply tied to IHS through long-term lease agreements.
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9mobile: A minor player, it leases most of its masts from tower companies and owns very few directly.
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Globacom (Glo): The outlier. Glo still owns around 8,550 towers, making it unique in the Nigerian market. While this gives Glo control over its infrastructure, it also forces the company to absorb the full cost of energy, security, and maintenance.
Regulation of Telecom Masts
Nigeria’s market is also shaped by regulators, who ensure safety, compliance, and fair competition.
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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is the national telecom regulator. It issues rules governing the construction of towers, their placement, and the technical standards they must meet.
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The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) oversees environmental issues, such as noise, emissions, and safe distances from residential buildings.
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In Lagos, the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) adds state-level oversight. LASIMRA works closely with telecom operators to register masts, audit sites, and remove unsafe or abandoned towers.
This layered regulatory approach ensures that masts are not only technically sound but also safe for communities and compliant with environmental standards.
The 7,000-Tower Push (2025)
Looking ahead, Nigeria is preparing for a major infrastructure boost. In 2025, the government approved the deployment of 7,000 new towers, with construction scheduled to begin in Q4 2025. This project aims to connect 20 million Nigerians who still live in unserved or underserved areas.
The rollout will be a huge opportunity for tower companies like IHS, ATC, and PAT. It also reflects the government’s ambition to achieve near-universal broadband coverage and support Nigeria’s growing digital economy. For everyday Nigerians, it could mean fewer dropped calls, faster internet speeds, and wider access to online services in rural communities.
How Mast Management Works
Managing a mast is about more than building steel structures. Tower companies provide a full package of services:
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Building and maintaining towers in line with safety and technical standards.
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Leasing space to operators like MTN, Airtel, and 9mobile.
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Supporting colocation, where multiple operators share a single tower.
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Providing reliable power, often using hybrid solar-diesel systems to deal with Nigeria’s weak grid.
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Managing security and maintenance, keeping sites safe from vandalism and operating around the clock.
This business model allows operators to focus on customers and services, while tower companies handle the infrastructure challenges.
Final Word
So, who really manages the telecom masts in Nigeria? The simple answer is that independent tower companies do most of the work. IHS Towers and ATC Nigeria are the giants, hosting the networks of MTN, Airtel, and 9mobile. Pan African Towers and SWAP add a local dimension, while smaller players, such as Eastcastle and AMN, provide niche solutions. Glo stands out as the only major operator that still owns and operates its own infrastructure.
With the government’s new tower program and the ongoing rise in data demand, mast management in Nigeria will only become more important. The companies that can build resilient, efficient, and affordable networks will define the future of connectivity in Africa’s largest mobile market.
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