With ambitions to have 300 towers operational nationally by March 31, 2026, global telecom tower company IHS and Airtel Zambia are on track to significantly boost network coverage.
This project comes after a significant rollout that was announced in April 2025, during which the firms promised to invest $14 million in order to construct 152 additional towers in six months.
One of the tower expansion's main features is that, as of late 2025, a significant number of the towers—38 in Lusaka Province alone—had been put into service.
In addition to the new towers, IHS has already built 225 towers since the previous year and is finalized to bring the total to 300.
The new towers are equipped with "smart energy systems" combining solar panels, lithium batteries, and generators to ensure uninterrupted service and reduce reliance on diesel.
The infrastructure expansion, which includes 51 towers in remote areas, aims to improve 4G/5G connectivity for underserved communities, with specific projects benefiting over 11,000 students near the University of Lusaka.
In addition to this, 80 more towers are scheduled to be built in the fourth quarter, with the goal of increasing Airtel's population coverage in Zambia to 95–96% in two years.
The Ministry of Technology and Science officially launched two towers built by IHS in Kitwe, in the Copperbelt, and Kapiri Mposhi, in the Central area, this past weekend.
IHS Zambia's director of operations, Otun Adekunle, stated in Kitwe that an integrated energy system comprising solar power, lithium batteries, and generators was powering the towers being installed around the country.
“Once towers are connected to the national electricity grid, reliance on generators will be eliminated, resulting in significant cost savings,” he explained.
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