- A consortium led by Actis, a leading global investor in sustainable infrastructure, has completed the acquisition of a 100% stake in Swiftnet, a leading telecom tower portfolio in South Africa.
The Actis-led consortium, which includes international and local investors including the Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC), a 100% black-owned broad-based South African investment holding company, now owns 70% of Swiftnet, partnering with Royal Bafokeng Holdings as the 30% shareholder.
Swiftnet, which was acquired by the Actis-led consortium from Telkom for an enterprise value of c.US$370 million (ZAR6.75 billion), has more than 4,000 telecom tower sites across South Africa. The platform will retain strong relationships with Telkom and other current anchor tenants as it aims to become a leading towerco in the country, expanding coverage in rural areas and increasing access to the internet while driving the transitions from 3G and 4G technology to 5G.
The transaction reinforces Actis’ position as an important investor in South African digital infrastructure, having previously experienced a successful investment in Octotel, a leading fibre network operator in the Western Cape, that the firm exited in 2024. The deal also aligns with MIC’s strategic investment focus and its commitment to diversifying its portfolio through exposure to sectors with significant structural tailwinds, including those providing enabling digital infrastructure such as Swiftnet.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
