Helios Towers Raises Full-Year Tenancy Guidance
The tower operator reported nine-month growth in tenancies, EBITDA, operating profit, and revenue, and tightened its 2026 outlook upward.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Corporate Finance
Helios Towers reported tenancies of 35,379 for the nine months to September 2026, up 12% year on year, with adjusted EBITDA rising 13% to $392.2 million. The company also tightened its full-year 2026 guidance upward for tenancy additions and adjusted EBITDA.
Why it matters
The results reflect strong demand for tower infrastructure from mobile network operators across its markets, supported by $6.2 billion in contracted future revenues. For international readers following telecom infrastructure investment, the figures point to sustained growth in the sector.
The nine-month figures are company-reported results from a trading update, showing tenancies of 35,379 up 12% and operating profit of $259.1 million up 23% year on year. Full-year 2026 tenancy additions are guided to around 4,000, up from 3,500 to 4,000, and adjusted EBITDA to around $535 million.
The players
Helios Towers
Helios Towers is a telecommunications tower infrastructure company that leases tower space to mobile network operators in Africa and other markets.
Tom Greenwood
Tom Greenwood is the chief executive of Helios Towers, who attributed the company's performance to operational and financial results underpinned by customer demand.
The details
Helios Towers attributed the growth to exceptional and accelerating customer demand across its markets, and chief executive Tom Greenwood cited strong operational and financial results. The company reported that 98% of its contracted future revenues come from large multinational mobile network operators, and around 70% from investment grade customers.
Timeline
Nine months to September 2026: reported tenancy, EBITDA, operating profit, and revenue growth.
Full year 2026: tightened guidance for tenancies, adjusted EBITDA, and recurring free cash flow.
2027: over 3,000 tenancies expected to be delivered.
Market Landscape
Helios Towers' growth reflects mobile network operators continuing to lease rather than build their own tower networks across African markets. The company's $6.2 billion in contracted future revenues and average remaining initial contract life of 6.4 years indicate long-term commitments from these operators.
For investors, the raised guidance and expected recurring free cash flow above $235 million for 2026 signal improving cash generation at the company. Momentum is expected to continue into 2027, which may matter for anyone holding exposure to tower infrastructure assets.
The takeaway
Helios Towers' results show that long-term contracts with large mobile operators can support steady growth in both tenancies and profit. Readers tracking infrastructure investments may watch whether the company meets its expected 2027 delivery target of over 3,000 tenancies.
What happens next
Helios Towers expects over 3,000 tenancies to be delivered in 2027, with continued double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth expected to follow.
Further reading
For more on how companies report and guide investors on performance, see Corporate Finance.
