12 February 2018

Strong full year of financial and operational progress

Helios Towers, the independent telecoms tower infrastructure company, announces audited results for the 12 months to 31 December 2017.

Financial highlights

  • Revenue for the 12 months increased 22% year-on-year to US$345m (FY 2016: US$283m)
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 39% year-on-year to US$146m (FY 2016: US$105m) with Adjusted EBITDA margin at 42% (FY 2016: 37%), up 5ppts
  • Growth momentum continued strongly into the last quarter of 2017, with Q4 Annualised Adjusted EBITDA being $164m, some 11% quarter-on-quarter growth from Q3
  • Cash and cash equivalents of US$120m at the end of the period (31 December 2016: US$134m)

​Operational highlights

  • Total colocations up 7% year-on-year at 6,468 (FY 2016: 6,032) with tenancy ratio improved to 1.99x (FY 2016: 1.93x)
  • Total sites at 6,519 up 1% year-on-year (FY 2016: 6,477)
  • Year-on-year growth in revenues and Adjusted EBITDA driven by organic demand and Business Excellence Program
  • Appointment of new Independent Chairman, Allan Cook CBE DSc, the former chairman of WS Atkins

Outlook

  • Remain focussed on margin expansion through organic growth and adding more collocation, amendment and built-to-suit tenancies while also driving efficiencies through operational improvements and investment in reducing power costs
  • Well positioned for growth with market leading positions in some of the most attractive and highest growth telecom markets in Sub-Saharan Africa

KASH PANDYA, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF HELIOS TOWERS, SAID:

“I am pleased to report another strong year for Helios Towers in which we delivered strong revenue growth driven by increased amendment and standard colocations and build-to-suit towers. We also significantly enhanced our margin by focusing on efficiencies in our operations and investment in power supply innovation. In the year, 249 further locations benefitted from solar panel investment, 375 towers were connected to the grid and hybrid power solutions were installed at a further 331 sites.

As we move into 2018, we take forward a business that is robust, lean and focused, and well positioned to continue delivering for our customers, employees and investors. Our agenda remains clear and focused: to deliver more of the same. We will continue to mine the considerable potential for growth, in markets that are not only under-penetrated but that have a rich future of enhanced services and technologies to come. We will deliver further efficiencies that play straight to the bottom line. Most importantly we will continue to listen to our customers, and by focusing on their needs, continue to deliver consistently high quality services that add value to their businesses.”

Media Relations
Edward BridgesFTI Consulting LLP+44 (0)20 3727 1000

Download the 2017 Annual Report

About Helios Towers

  • Helios Towers is a leading independent tower company in Africa, having established one of Africa's most extensive tower networks with more than 6,500 towers in four markets. HT builds and manages telecom passive infrastructure, leasing it to operators across the continent.
  • Helios Towers is an independent telecommunications tower infrastructure company, and owns and operates more tower sites than any other operator in each of Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, or DRC, and Congo Brazzaville. We are also a leading operator in Ghana with a strong urban presence.
  • The company pioneered the sale-leaseback model in Africa, buying towers that were held by single operators and providing services utilising the tower infrastructure to the seller and other operators. Allowing wireless operators to outsource non-core tower-related activities enabling them to focus their capital and managerial resources on providing higher quality services more cost-effectively.
  • Investors in HT include: Helios Investment Partners, Quantum Strategic Partners, Albright Capital Management LLC, RIT Capital Partners Plc, the International Finance Corporation and Millicom International Cellular.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION GO TO:
www.heliostowersafrica.com

TO VIEW THE FULL YEAR REPORT GO TO:
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5812E_-2018-2-12.pdf

TO VIEW THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE LSE GO TO:
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/IRSH/13529567.html

TO VIEW THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE ISE GO TO:
http://www.ise.ie/app/announcementDetails.aspx?ID=13528917