S/01 · BUILD-TO-SUIT
Build-to-suit tower development: we locate, build and operate — you become anchor tenant.
// What it is
What the service covers.
Build-to-suit means African Towers constructs a new shared tower or IBS installation to specification for an anchor customer. You identify the coverage or capacity gap; we handle land acquisition (or rooftop agreement), permitting, environmental assessment, geotechnical investigation, civil works, steel erection and power installation. Once built, you're anchor tenant at a preferential rate, and we bring in additional operators to bring the fully-loaded rate to market level. No capital outlay required.
// Who it's for
Built for these infrastructure users.
- MNOs with coverage white-spots that cannot be filled by existing shared sites
- Enterprise campuses requiring a dedicated new structure
- Real estate developers wanting to attract MNO tenancy at project inception
- Municipal or government bodies commissioning communications infrastructure
// How it works
The shared-infrastructure model explained.
The BTS model: anchor operator identifies need → African Towers surveys and proposes → BTS agreement signed → African Towers funds and builds → anchor operator activates → African Towers markets additional tenancy. Each additional tenant reduces the anchor's effective monthly cost and improves African Towers' return — both parties benefit from multi-tenancy.
// Process
From brief to live — every stage managed.
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01
Site identification and feasibility — coverage analysis, candidate site selection, landowner or rooftop agreement, initial RF study.
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02
Permitting and geotech — environmental and structural survey, NCA frequency coordination, building/planning permits from local authority.
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03
Civil and structural works — foundation, compound, fencing, access road, power infrastructure and steel erection by qualified contractors under African Towers' supervision.
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04
Equipment installation and testing — anchor tenant equipment mounted, RF tested, NOC monitoring configured, site commissioned to live.
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05
Market to additional tenants — African Towers proactively leases remaining headroom to colocators, reducing the anchor tenant's effective colocation rate.
// Proof points
Performance you can hold us to.
- 250+ sites built and operated since 2009
- Average time from signed BTS agreement to live: 12–16 weeks
- Multi-tenant average of 3 operators per site — reducing per-operator TCO by ~40% vs. self-build
- Zero capital outlay for anchor tenants
- NCA-approved tower company with proven permitting track record
Frequently asked questions
- What is a build-to-suit tower programme?
- Build-to-suit (BTS) is an arrangement where an independent tower company (African Towers) builds a new site to meet an operator's specific coverage or capacity requirement. The operator signs a colocation agreement as anchor tenant before construction begins, guaranteeing revenue for African Towers without the operator needing to invest capital or manage construction.
- How long does a build-to-suit deployment take?
- From signed BTS agreement to a live, commissioned tower site typically takes 12–16 weeks in Ghana. This covers land/rooftop agreement finalisation, permitting, civil works, steel erection, power installation and operator equipment commissioning. Complex sites (difficult terrain, contested permitting, multi-operator simultaneous commissioning) may extend to 20 weeks.
- What is an anchor tenant and how does the rate work?
- The anchor tenant is the first operator who commits to the new site and enables the build. As the risk-bearer, the anchor receives a preferential colocation rate, typically 10–15% below the standard market rate. As additional operators colocate, the anchor's effective rate adjusts downward further under a most-favoured-nation clause negotiated at agreement signing.
- Can enterprises (not just MNOs) use the build-to-suit programme?
- Yes. Hospitals, airports, ports, universities and industrial campuses with dedicated coverage needs can sponsor a BTS build. African Towers then markets additional MNO tenancy on the same site. The enterprise gets dedicated infrastructure without carrying the full capital cost.
- Who handles NCA permitting?
- African Towers manages the full permitting process including NCA spectrum coordination, local authority (Metropolitan/District Assembly) planning permission, and environmental impact assessment where required. We have an established track record and relationships with Ghana's regulatory bodies.
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