MXT Holdings (MXT), a telecommunications infrastructure company based in Mexico, has received a major investment boost with the news that private investment house Ardian has signed an agreement to acquire a 50% co-control equity interest in the company.
Ardian's investment will be used by MXT Holdings to complete an asset swap for around 200 towers and an estimated 1,800 km of metro fibre from operator Telefónica, as well as strategic acquisitions that will materially increase MXT’s portfolio.
The transactions will be funded using primary equity raised from Ardian and existing shareholder Mexico Infrastructure Partners (MIP), an asset manager in the infrastructure and energy sectors across Latin America. Going forward, Ardian will be a 50/50 partner in MXT alongside MIP.
Headquartered in Mexico City, MXT develops, acquires, owns and operates neutral-host communication infrastructure assets across Mexico, offering wireless and fibre services.
Ardian says that, with its investment, MXT is positioned for compelling growth opportunities, including advanced greenfield fibre projects in areas of Mexico that currently lack long-haul connectivity and consolidation in the Mexican tower sector.
This multi-faceted deal marks Ardian's first direct investment in Mexico. However, as Ardian points out, with a population of 130 million and the second largest economy in Latin America, the Mexican market offers enormous opportunities for telecommunications growth. Furthermore, Mexico is the second largest trading partner to the US with increased nearshoring trends, which, says Ardian, will benefit MXT.