INTERVIEW: Sam Darwish, Group CEO at IHS Towers - the accidental engineer who found his calling

Sam Darwish - Group CEO at IHS Towers. (Illustration: Luis Grañena)
Updated 25 May 2019
Follow

INTERVIEW: Sam Darwish, Group CEO at IHS Towers - the accidental engineer who found his calling

  • The CEO has made it big in telecoms, in a career shaped early on by Lebanon’s bloody civil war

For some, student survival means merely coasting along at university in the hope of bagging a 2.1, as well as invites to as many parties as possible.

For telecoms executive Sam Darwish, however, survival took on a more literal sense, having embarked on his studies in the dying days of the Lebanese civil war.

Teenage life was tough for Darwish, who is now 47 and a US citizen. Growing up in Beirut in the 1980s meant a constant backdrop of violence —  “there were many wounded,” he said — plus the daily struggles of putting food on the table and regular electricity blackouts.

But it was this experience that taught Darwish a certain “pragmatism” that he continues to put to use today as chief executive of telecoms company IHS Towers, which has to date raised more than $5.5 billion in funding.

Sitting in the IHS office in London’s plush Mayfair district, Darwish recounted how, when he was a student, his father would give him a small sum of money each day. He could either use it to take public transport to the American University of Beirut campus — or buy lunch, and risk the walk through the war-torn streets.

“Decisions like that make you pragmatic. It makes you solution-orientated. It makes you appreciate what the basics in life are,” said Darwish.

“You need just to survive. You need to find a solution. Electricity would disappear for a few days, then people started charging their batteries in their cars, and at the end of the day remove the battery to put on a light or small TV,” he added.

“It taught me to not take anything for granted. You needed to think and rethink every little thing that exists.”

--------

BIO

SAM DARWISH

•47 years old

•US citizen, grew up in Lebanon

•Married, three children based in US

EDUCATION

•Bachelor’s engineering degree in computer communications, American University of Beirut

CAREER

•Network chief engineer, Libancell, Lebanon

•Vice chairman, director of projects, Lintel

•Deputy managing director, CELIA Motophone, Nigeria

•Co-founder, IHS Towers

OTHER INTERESTS

•Founder, Singularity Investments

•Founder, DAR Properties

--------

This practical attention to detail — along with an awareness of the importance of finance, power and security — are very much required in Darwish’s role today.

IHS Towers’ business model is relatively straightforward: The company buys mobile towers from telecoms companies, or builds them itself, then leases them back to the operators.

Darwish co-founded the company in Nigeria in 2001, and it now has operations in Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Rwanda and Zambia.

Renting out mobile communications towers is hardly the most glamorous of businesses — it is “simple and low profile, we don’t make it flashy,” he said — but the economics stack up.

Selling mobile towers allows telecoms companies to free up cash, while companies such as IHS can rent space on the masts to multiple carriers, which is more efficient. It is a model that Darwish believes the entire industry will one day embrace.

“When (a single operator) owns a tower, often it’s not optimized in terms of the revenue that that tower can get,” he said.

“They end up with hundreds of millions, sometimes billions of dollars on their balance sheet (with) towers (that are) inefficient, and simply depreciating. Sharing means more efficiency, and more margin for everyone.”

There is also a certain advantage to dealing with purely “basic” infrastructure, given the global furor about the security of telecoms networks.

IHS deals with the actual steel masts, rather than the more sensitive communications kit or software they house.

For that reason, it does not face as much scrutiny as a company such as Huawei, the Chinese equipment firm that the US believes poses a security risk.

“There’s a big difference between us and what Huawei does. We’re providers of passive infrastructure,” said Darwish.

“Our towers are simple towers … It’s a location, it’s a tower, it’s power, it’s security —  that’s what we provide,” he added.

“But at the end of the day, we’re also part of critical infrastructure for countries … So there’s always the aspect of ‘who are these guys, who are their shareholders, what’s their track record, what’s their governance like?’”

That is partly why Darwish runs IHS as if it was a “a public company by Western standards.” The company’s governance is “very strict,” and its high-profile shareholders include Goldman Sachs (through a special fund), the Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, the Korea Investment Corp. and IFC, the private equity arm of the World Bank.

At the end of the day, we’re part of a critical infrastructure for countries.

Sam Darwish

Such backing — Darwish said IHS has raised between $5.5 billion and $6 billion of capital since it was formed —  and governance standards bode well for a potential initial public offering (IPO) of IHS.

The company last year shelved such a plan, but Darwish said it is thinking about “moving ahead” with plans for a listing in New York or London.

“There are hundreds of thousands of towers out there that could be bought, or built, over the next few years … That’s why a potential listing is important to us at some point in time,” he said.

Such a move would potentially expedite the company’s expansion in areas such as the Arabian Gulf, which is currently its “main focus.”

IHS has already struck regional agreements to buy towers from telecoms operators Zain Kuwait and Zain KSA.

Upon completion of those two deals — which are still subject to regulatory approval — the Mauritius-headquartered IHS will have approximately 33,100 towers in its portfolio. It is currently the world’s second-largest independent, multi-country tower operator.

Darwish said Saudi Arabia is “where we’d like to grow,” with IHS recently having obtained a foreign investment license from the General Investment Authority, with plans for an office staffed by 100-200 people.

He cited the economic reforms underway, which include weaning Saudi Arabia off its reliance on oil and encouraging more women into the workplace.

“The Kingdom is going through a transformation now. This transformation is fascinating, and it’s something that needs to be watched very carefully,” he said.

“They’re using this cash they have now to start planning, and start transforming — theaters, entertainment, industries, manufacturing, all these massive investments they’re doing.”

Whilst inhabiting an industry that lacks a certain glam factor, there is something of the “Davos man” about Darwish.

Dressed casually in a designer jacket in his Mayfair office, he explained some of his interests that run parallel to IHS.

He is the founder of Singularity Investments, a private investment firm with a focus on technology and media companies in the US and emerging markets, along with DAR Properties, a property investment company.

Darwish also has a strong interest in corporate social responsibility, having supported incubator programs for aspiring tech entrepreneurs in Lagos, served as a mentor to local business executives, and worked on several health and education projects in Africa.

His personal passion, however, is the IHS Academy, launched one and a half years ago, which offers online education in the field and has seen some 40,000 course completions.

“The training for me is the single most important thing I can give, and it helps us at the end of the day,” said Darwish.

“I personally believe in the power of education — that’s what transformed my life. My father worked three shifts to basically make sure we stayed in the best private schools … He believed in what education can do in transforming lives.”

Darwish’s own studies in Beirut, however, nearly took a different turn. Though he graduated as an engineer in computer communications with “the highest distinction” — setting him out on a 20-year career in telecoms — it was never the path he envisaged.

“I wanted to be a Nobel Prize physicist. (But the university) dean called me, and he was like, ‘no — we need you in engineering’,” Darwish said. “It was just by accident that I became an engineer, but it paid off.”


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 12,014

Updated 4 sec ago
Follow

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 12,014

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Tuesday, losing 24.37 points, or 0.20 percent, to close at 12,014.94.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.73 billion ($1.52 billion), as 86 of the listed stocks advanced, while 140 retreated.   

The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased by 4.65 points, or 0.31 percent, to close at 1,507.83.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu surged, gaining 768.81 points, or 2.74 percent, to close at 28,831.58. This comes as 42 of the listed stocks advanced while 32 retreated.

The best-performing stock of the day was Riyadh Cables Group Co., with its share price surging by 6.95 percent to SR117.  

Other top performers included Arabian Cement Co., which saw its share price rise by 4.51 percent to SR25.50, and Al Moammar Information Systems Co., which saw a 4.38 percent increase to SR185.80. 

The worst performer of the day was Wataniya Insurance Co., whose share price fell by 9.96 percent to SR24.04.

Al-Etihad Cooperative Insurance Co. and Shatirah House Restaurant Co. also saw declines, with their shares dropping by 9.34 percent and 5.77 percent to SR18.44 and SR21.22, respectively.  

On the announcements front, Saudi Public Transport Co. announced its interim consolidated financial results for the first nine months of the current year. SAPTCO’s shares dropped in today’s trading session, dipping by 1.01 percent to reach SR21.58.

According to a Tadawul statement, the firm recorded a net loss of SR20.8 million in this period of the year, reflecting a 53.3 percent dip compared to the same term in 2023.

The decline in net profit for the current period, compared to the same period last year, is due to lower operating revenue from reduced public transportation operations, along with higher general and administrative expenses, increased finance costs, and higher zakat and tax, combined with a decrease in finance income.

The Saudi Arabian Cooperative Insurance Co. also announced its interim financial results for the same period ending on Sept. 30. SAICO’s shares dropped in today’s trading session, decreasing by 2.89 percent to SR14.78.

Net profit before zakat attributable to the shareholders for the current period amounted to SR43.2 million compared to SR65 million during the same period of the previous year, which was mainly due to a decrease of 44.9 percent in the net insurance service, which was affected by a decrease in medical business.

​​For the first nine months of this year, Abdullah Al Othaim Markets Co. revealed its results for the first nine months of this year, with total comprehensive income amounting to SR220.6 million – a year-on-year decrease of 30.4 percent.

Abdullah Al Othaim Markets Co.’s shares decreased in today’s trading session by 1.92 percent to reach SR11.24.

Gulf Insurance Group’s income over the same period also dropped – with the SR78.2 million it registered representing an annual fall of 19.7 percent.

GIG’s shares also saw declines by 0.84 percent to reach SR29.50. 

The individual investor subscription for Tamkeen Human Resources’ initial public offering on the Saudi stock market started Nov. 5 and runs until Nov. 6. 

According to a statement from the company, a total of 1.59 million shares, representing 20 percent of the offering, are allocated to individual investors at SR50 per share. 

The deadline for subscription and payment is Nov. 6, with the final allocation announced on Nov. 11. The minimum subscription is 10 shares, and the maximum is 250,000. Saudi Fransi Capital managed the initial public offering, which saw an institutional demand of SR55 billion, with coverage 138.2 times.


China to issue $2bn bonds in Saudi Arabia amid deepening bilateral ties

Updated 29 min 20 sec ago
Follow

China to issue $2bn bonds in Saudi Arabia amid deepening bilateral ties

RIYADH: China has announced plans to issue dollar-denominated bonds in Saudi Arabia starting the week of Nov. 11, marking its first debt issuance in US currency since 2021. 

The Asian country’s Ministry of Finance disclosed on Nov. 5 that it will sell up to $2 billion in bonds in Riyadh.

This issuance comes as China and the Kingdom are strengthening a multifaceted alliance that extends across multiple spheres.

In recent years, both nations have sought to broaden their economic cooperation, aligning strategic initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan.

“With the approval of the State Council, the Ministry of Finance will issue US dollar sovereign bonds of no more than $2 billion in Saudi Arabia in the week of November 11, 2024. The specific issuance arrangements will be announced separately before the release,” the ministry’s statement read.

This step will positively impact the Kingdom’s financial market, “especially when considering that the Financial Development Program is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s financial sector,” according to Talat Hafiz, a Saudi-based economist. 

Talking to Arab News, he said such issuance supports one of the main pillars of Vision 2030, to advance the Saudi economy through diversification and enhancing the local financial market.

Strengthening Saudi-Chinese relations

“The issuance is part of China’s efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two friendly countries, which is witnessing huge improvements in several fields,” Hafiz said.

In September,Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang co-chaired a pivotal meeting of the High-Level Saudi-Chinese Committee, where they reviewed aspects of joint cooperation and addressed regional and international developments. 

The session in Riyadh emphasized opportunities in energy, trade, and investment, as well as well as technology and security, while laying the groundwork for enhanced coordination across these sectors.

Expanding tourism and education links

Tourism has emerged as a significant focus in Saudi-Chinese relations. In October, Saudi officials, including the Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, engaged with Chinese counterparts to expand travel and investment ties.

The Kingdom received the designation of “Approved Destination Status” from Beijing earlier this year, following participation in key events in China. 

To attract 5 million visitors from the Asian country by 2030, Saudi Arabia has introduced Chinese payment processing options, launched tailored tourism campaigns, and increased direct flights between the two countries.

Growing trade and investment

China has been Saudi Arabia’s largest trade partner since 2014, with bilateral trade reaching $97 billion in 2023. This figure includes $54 billion in Saudi exports and $43 billion in imports from China. 

This issuance will benefit both the Kingdom’s financial market and businesses in Saudi Arabia and China, especially with their strong economic ties and alignment with Vision 2030 and the Belt and Road Initiative, according to Hafiz.

The economist said “the Saudi-Chinese Business Council has a major role to play in promoting business between Saudi Arabia and China.”

He highlighted the trade size amounting to “about $96.5 billion in 2023, representing 18 percent of the total volume of Saudi trade globally.”

Investments between the two nations have also surged, with Chinese investments in the Kingdom rising from $1.5 billion in 2022 to $16.8 billion in 2023. Saudi investments in China are also substantial, totaling $75 billion.

Saudi Arabia and China are exploring new avenues for collaboration, including joint investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, and technology, with a focus on sustainable development. 

The crown prince’s 2019 visit to Beijing set a foundation for this strategic partnership, resulting in 12 agreements and memoranda of understanding that continue to shape bilateral cooperation.


Saudi Arabia awards 11 mining exploration permits under accelerated program

Updated 05 November 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia awards 11 mining exploration permits under accelerated program

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has granted 11 mining exploration permits to local and international companies for six sites under its Accelerated Exploration Program, which aims to unlock the Kingdom’s underutilized mineral resources.

On Nov. 5, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced that the permits, covering a total area of 850 sq. kim across Riyadh, Makkah, and Asir, were awarded as part of a competitive licensing round designed to boost the country’s mineral sector. This initiative is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the National Industry Development and Logistics Program.

The recent competition concluded with one national company and five alliances consisting of 10 local and international firms being awarded the exploration rights. The competition was designed to maximize the value of the country’s mineral resources and expand the mining industry as a key pillar of the economy.

Transforming the mining sector

Saudi Arabia is aiming to transform mining into the third pillar of its industrial base, alongside oil and petrochemicals. The Kingdom is home to more than 5,300 mineral sites, estimated to be worth around SR5 trillion ($1.33 trillion), and the ministry is actively seeking to harness these resources to fuel economic growth.

Among the winners, the alliance of ANS Exploration and Odyssey Metal Ltd. was granted an exploration license for the Umm Qasr site in Riyadh, known for its deposits of gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Gold and Minerals Co. secured a license for the Wadi Doush site in Asir, an area rich in gold, silver, and copper ore deposits, covering 157 square kilometers.

The alliance of AuKing Mining Ltd. and Barg Al-Saman Mining Co. received a license for the Shuaib Marqan site in Riyadh, spanning 92 square kilometers and noted for its copper, silver, and gold resources. Meanwhile, Metal Bank Ltd. and the Mining Holding Co. were awarded the Wadi Al-Jouna site in Asir, which covers 425 square kilometers and contains copper, zinc, silver, and gold.

Other awarded licenses include the Hazm Shubat site in Asir, granted to the Rawkad and Masharef alliance, which is known for its gold deposits. The Midad Al-Muna for Mining and Tinka Resources alliance was given the license for the Huwaimdhan exploration site in Makkah, which also holds significant gold resources.

Commitment to local development

A total of 44 bids were received from 22 companies — many of them new to the Saudi market—during the competition. Bids were evaluated based on technical expertise, proposed work programs, and social and environmental considerations. As part of their commitment, the winning companies have pledged to invest SR75 million ($20 million) in exploration activities and SR5 million toward community development, aiming to create jobs and opportunities for citizens in underserved areas.

This licensing round marks a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia’s mining sector, with four companies receiving exploration licenses for the first time, further cementing the Kingdom’s appeal as a leading investment destination for mining.

Aligning with Vision 2030

The ministry highlighted that this initiative reflects investors' confidence in Saudi Arabia’s mining investment framework, which adheres to the highest standards of transparency and environmental responsibility. It also underscores the country’s commitment to diversifying its economy in line with Vision 2030, which aims to develop the mining sector as a key economic driver.

In a related development, the ministry recently announced another competition for seven mining exploration licenses, covering regions in Makkah and Riyadh and targeting a range of precious and base metals, including gold, copper, zinc, lead, and silver. The deadline for submitting technical proposals for this new licensing round is at the end of November.


Private sector drives 6.1% rise in Saudi capital investment for Q2

Updated 05 November 2024
Follow

Private sector drives 6.1% rise in Saudi capital investment for Q2

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s gross fixed capital formation reached SR296 billion ($79 billion) in the second quarter of 2024, marking a 6.1 percent year-on-year increase, according to recent data. 

The Ministry of Investment attributed this growth primarily to the non-government sector, which holds an 86.45 percent share of total GFCF.  

This sector saw an 8.2 percent increase, reaching SR255.9 billion, reflecting robust private-sector activity aligned with Vision 2030’s targets to boost private investment. Conversely, GFCF in the government sector declined by 5.2 percent to SR40.1 billion.   

GFCF, which measures net investments in assets like infrastructure, machinery, and construction, is a key indicator of long-term economic potential, as it reflects capacity-building investments that drive productivity and growth. 

Saudi Arabia’s appeal as a top investment destination continues to grow, with the Ministry of Investment issuing 3,810 licenses in the third quarter — a 73.7 percent annual rise, excluding permits from the Tasattur anti-concealment initiative.  

This strong performance highlights the Kingdom’s successful positioning as a competitive market, driven by an increasingly stable and business-friendly environment, according to the report. 

The ministry’s October report, which aligns its data with the latest IMF guidelines, showed that Saudi Arabia’s foreign direct investment stock reached SR897 billion in 2023, a 13.4 percent increase from 2022.  

Excluding the one-time SR55 billion Aramco pipeline deal, the data showed that net inflows — representing the total new foreign capital coming into the country after accounting for outflows — also surged by 91 percent during this period, reaching SR86 billion. 

As Saudi Arabia pushes toward its goal of making FDI 5.7 percent of its gross domestic product by 2030, this upswing in foreign capital not only strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a global investment hub but also reinforces the ongoing expansion in GFCF, contributing to sustainable economic growth.  

Saudi Arabia has been advancing a range of initiatives to attract and deepen foreign investment, positioning itself as a hub for international business in the Middle East. 

One such measure, announced in 2021, requires foreign companies bidding for government contracts to establish regional headquarters within the Kingdom by 2024. 

This mandate has already encouraged major firms to set up shops in Riyadh, underscoring the Saudi government’s commitment to drawing long-term investment. 

The Public Investment Fund has also played a critical role in bolstering the investment landscape. 

Recently, PIF signed a memorandum of understanding with Brookfield Asset Management to become an anchor investor in Brookfield Middle East Partners. 

This private equity platform plans to raise $2 billion to invest in various high-growth sectors, such as technology, healthcare, and industrials. Additionally, at least half of BMEP’s capital will be allocated to Saudi-based companies, facilitating FDI inflows directly into the Kingdom. 

Another major win came with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, which recently secured approval to establish a regional headquarters in Riyadh. 

This move is set to expand BlackRock’s Middle East operations significantly, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’ appeal as an investment destination for global financial firms. 


Energy sector drives GCC IPO gains in Q3, positive year-end outlook: PwC 

Updated 05 November 2024
Follow

Energy sector drives GCC IPO gains in Q3, positive year-end outlook: PwC 

RIYADH: Initial public offerings across the Gulf Cooperation Council region registered a year-on-year increase in proceeds in the third quarter of 2024 despite a decline in the number of listings, according to a new report. 

The energy sector spearheaded this quarter’s growth, led by NMDC Energy’s listing, which raised $877 million — the largest IPO in the UAE this year, stated PwC Middle East. 

Saudi Arabia’s parallel market, Nomu, also contributed to the quarter’s performance with three listings. 

PwC forecasts strong aftermarket performance for companies completing IPOs in 2024, predicting that most of the top 10 IPOs by deal size will trade above their initial offering prices. 

This outlook suggests a favorable market reception for large IPOs in the coming year, with strong investor demand potentially driving post-IPO stock prices higher. 

“As has been the case in recent years, Q3 has seen relatively few companies come to market. Since the end of the quarter, we have seen a number of IPOs either completed or announced across the GCC, including OQ Exploration and Production, Oman’s largest ever IPO, supporting the positive outlook for the remainder of 2024,” said Muhammad Hassan, capital markets leader at PwC Middle East. 

In the third quarter, bond issuances in the GCC raised $4.4 billion, marking an almost 30 percent increase over the previous year. 

Additionally, $5.2 billion was raised through sukuk issuances, with 88 percent of these bonds listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange or Nasdaq Dubai. 

Governments in the region accounted for nearly 65 percent of total bond and sukuk issuances. 

“Looking forward, the outlook for the GCC IPO market remains positive with a healthy IPO pipeline of companies from a diverse range of sectors busy preparing for their upcoming IPOs across the region,” the report stated.

According to another report by the Kuwait Financial Center, also known as Markaz, Saudi Arabia and the UAE led IPO activity in the GCC with $1.7 billion raised in the third quarter, a 6 percent increase from the year before.

The analysis highlighted that the UAE dominated the quarter’s activity, leading the region with $1.1 billion in IPO proceeds from a single listing, accounting for 69 percent of the total raised across the GCC.  

Saudi Arabia followed with $512 million from its IPOs in the third quarter, contributing 31 percent to the regional total.

In the Kingdom, the food and beverage sector saw wheat milling company Arabian Mills for Food Products raise $271 million, accounting for 16 percent of the quarter’s proceeds.  

Meanwhile, perfume maker Al Majed for Oud, a key player in the consumer cyclical sector, raised $188 million, contributing 11 percent.  

The materials sector had a smaller presence, with ASG Plastic Factory Co. raising $8.8 million on Tadawul’s parallel Nomu market.  

The commercial and professional services sector witnessed three IPOs, including First Avenue Real Estate Development Co., Altharwah Albashariyyah Co., and Al Ashghal Al Moysra Co., which collectively raised $44.4 million.