Helios Towers Delivers Double-Digit Profit Growth, Tightens 2025 Guidance and Launches $75m Buyback
As part of this next phase, Helios Towers launched a US$75 million share buyback programme to run through to the end of 2026.
Helios Towers has reported a solid set of results for the nine months ending 30 September 2025, as the independent mobile tower operator continues to strengthen its footprint across Africa and the Middle East. The company posted double-digit profit growth and announced a new share buyback programme, underscoring confidence in its long-term strategy.
Revenue rose nine per cent year-on-year to US$634.5 million, driven largely by continued tenancy growth across key markets including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Oman. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 11 per cent to US$345.6 million, reflecting operational efficiency gains and a higher tenancy ratio, which climbed to 2.16 times from 2.04 a year earlier. Operating profit also advanced by 11 per cent to US$211.2 million, while the adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 54 per cent.
Free cash flow expanded by US$70 million over the previous year to reach US$48.7 million, bolstered by EBITDA growth, lower working capital requirements and disciplined capital expenditure. The company’s leverage position strengthened notably, with net leverage falling to 3.6 times from 4.2 times in the same period last year.
Helios Towers has accordingly raised its full-year guidance, narrowing its capital expenditure forecast to between US$160 million and US$180 million and projecting adjusted EBITDA of around US$470 million. The company also expects to exceed US$60 million in free cash flow by the end of 2025.
Chief Executive Officer Tom Greenwood described the performance as a validation of the company’s strategy and the strength of its markets.
“I am delighted with our performance so far in 2025 and excited about what lies ahead. Our structurally high-growth markets, coupled with our relentless focus on customer experience excellence, have driven continued tenancy growth and an expansion in tenancy ratio—approaching our 2026 target of 2.2x tenants per site more than a year early. This has translated into robust financial performance year-to-date, with double-digit Adj. EBITDA growth and a US$70 million expansion in free cash flow. As a result, we have tightened upwards our full-year expectations for tenancies, Adj. EBITDA, and free cash flow. Furthermore, we are now entering our next strategic phase—IMPACT 2030—where we are targeting continued strong organic growth and returning, through share buybacks and dividends, more than US$400 million to investors through to 2030.”
– Tom Greenwood, Chief Executive Officer, Helios Towers
As part of this next phase, Helios Towers launched a US$75 million share buyback programme to run through to the end of 2026. The move forms part of the company’s new long-term strategy, dubbed IMPACT 2030, which aims to deliver sustained organic growth and reward shareholders through combined buybacks and dividends exceeding US$400 million over the next five years.
Helios Towers, which operates nearly 15,000 sites across nine countries in Africa and the Middle East, continues to capitalise on structurally high-growth markets with strong demand for digital infrastructure. The company said it remains focused on maintaining its leadership in customer service and operational excellence, positioning itself for further growth as the region’s mobile and data connectivity continues to expand.
