IHS Towers has announced significant progress in its sustainability agenda, revealing that it has invested approximately $45 million in community development initiatives since 2017 while accelerating efforts to reduce carbon emissions and expand digital inclusion across Africa and Latin America.
The disclosure was made in the company’s newly released 2025 Sustainability Report, which outlines environmental, social and governance (ESG) achievements recorded between January 1 and December 31, 2025. The report highlights the company’s commitment to creating long-term value for communities through connectivity, environmental stewardship, education and economic empowerment.
IHS Towers, one of the world’s largest independent owners and operators of shared telecommunications infrastructure, said mobile connectivity remains a critical driver of economic growth, social development and access to opportunities in emerging markets. The company operates more than 37,000 telecommunications towers across key markets including Nigeria, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa and Zambia.
Commenting on the report, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sam Darwish, said the company remains focused on advancing digital inclusion and delivering meaningful social impact through its sustainability programmes.
According to him, the 2025 report showcases community-focused interventions across Africa and Latin America, alongside progress in health, safety, environmental management and carbon reduction initiatives. He noted that the company’s cumulative investment in communities has now reached $45 million since 2017.
During 2025 alone, IHS Towers invested approximately $8.2 million in community-focused sustainability projects, supporting programmes aimed at improving education, economic opportunities and quality of life in host communities.
On the environmental front, the company reported a 21.4 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions intensity compared with its 2021 baseline, marking a major milestone under its Carbon Reduction Roadmap. The achievement reflects ongoing investments in cleaner energy solutions and operational efficiencies across its tower portfolio.
Among its notable climate initiatives, IHS Towers commenced the planting of more than 25,000 tree seedlings across nine hectares of Brazil’s Amazon region in partnership with environmental conservation organisations. The project is designed to support biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration efforts.
In Nigeria, the company strengthened its clean energy and environmental programmes through collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration under the Project Breathe Clean Air-Abuja initiative. The programme provided 5,000 households with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and cooking equipment to encourage cleaner cooking practices and reduce dependence on traditional fuels.
The company also expanded its renewable energy-driven community interventions by donating 700 solar-powered streetlights to communities across Nigeria, helping to improve safety, security and energy access. Additionally, IHS Towers launched a pilot partnership to promote sustainable beekeeping and community empowerment around rural tower sites.
On workforce development, the report showed continued progress in diversity and employee training. Women accounted for 29 per cent of the company’s workforce in 2025, up from 27 per cent in the previous year, while employees completed an average of 13 hours of professional training through the company’s learning platforms. The company also reported zero work-related fatalities among its employees during the year under review. ([Business Wire][1])
Industry analysts note that sustainability is becoming increasingly important within the telecommunications infrastructure sector as operators seek to reduce reliance on diesel-powered systems and deploy cleaner energy solutions to power network infrastructure, particularly in underserved and off-grid communities across Africa.
With growing demand for mobile connectivity across emerging markets, IHS Towers said it will continue leveraging its infrastructure footprint to support economic inclusion, environmental sustainability and social development while advancing its long-term carbon reduction objectives.
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