MTN Group Ltd. could cash in from an initial public offering of Africa\u2019s largest telecommunication-towers company by selling a stake valued by the wireless carrier at about R27 billion ($2.3 billion).<\/p>\n
IHS Towers, of which Johannesburg-based MTN owns about 29%, is planning an IPO in New York, people familiar with the matter said last year. If the tower operator goes ahead with the share sale and the valuation is appropriate, MTN will look to sell out, chief financial officer Ralph Mupita said in an interview.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not strategic to lock up so much capital,\u201d the CFO said. While MTN\u2019s stake in IHS Towers is important, it’s been earmarked by the company as an asset for sale, he said.<\/p>\n
IHS, Helios Towers Africa LLP and Eaton Towers Ltd. are all looking to take advantage of high industry valuations to sell shares and fund expansion, the people familiar with the situation said in November.<\/p>\n
Helios confirmed the plans earlier this month, saying it would seek an IPO in London and Johannesburg and expects at least 25 percent of its shares will be freely traded after the sale. IHS Towers declined to comment.<\/p>\n
MTN, Africa\u2019s largest mobile-phone company by sales, is planning to cut its debt, Mupita said. Borrowings rose to R57 billion ($4.8 billion) in 2017 from R52 billion the previous year. The shares closed 1.1% higher at R133.40 in Johannesburg on Monday, valuing the company at R251 billion.<\/p>\n
IHS is owned by French investment firm Wendel SA and Goldman Sachs & Co. as well as MTN.<\/p>\n