Market volatility
We and our customers operate in various international markets, particularly in emerging markets such as Africa. As a result, we are exposed to economic, political and other uncertainties prevailing in such markets, particularly Nigeria, which is our largest market of operation.
In December 2023, Moody's improved the outlook on Nigeria from stable to positive and in May 2024, Fitch revised the outlook on the Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating for Nigeria to positive from stable and affirmed their B- rating. In addition, S&P has a stable outlook on IHS Holding and the foreign currency rating on Nigeria and in July 2024 reaffirmed their B+ ratings on the Company and its debt. There have been no upgrades, downgrades, or changes in outlook for Nigeria or IHS since that point.
As a result of the currency exchange rate fluctuations, particularly in regard to the Nigerian Naira as discussed further above, our strategic and operational plans need to be continually reassessed to meet the challenges and needs of our businesses in order for us to remain competitive. For instance, we have adopted a more balanced approach to revenue growth and cash generation to counterbalance the recent macroeconomic headwinds across the world, particularly in Nigeria given the significant recent depreciations of the Naira in June 2023 and January 2024. As part of our heightened focus on cash generation, we may pursue operational efficiencies through productivity enhancements, cost and capital expenditure reductions, and a review of our portfolio of markets and assets.
Macroeconomic Issues
Global deterioration in economic conditions could adversely and materially affect us and/or our customers through disruptions of, among other things, the ability to procure communications equipment or other supplies through the usual supply chains. For instance, shortages of capacity in shipping may occur and could affect the smooth flow of our and/or our customers’ supply chains, increase transportation costs and/or decrease reliability. Global deterioration in economic conditions could also adversely and materially affect the ability of us and/or our customers to maintain liquidity and deploy network capital, with potential decreases in consumer spending contributing to liquidity risks, or even through regulatory interventions or pressure on pricing and services offered that may reduce revenue for periods of time. Any resulting financial difficulties could result in uncollectible accounts receivable or reduced revenue, despite having provided increased services. Resulting supply chain or operational difficulties (including site access) may also result in us being unable to meet the service level agreement targets under our MLAs. The loss of significant Tenants, or the loss of all or a portion of our anticipated Contracted Revenue from certain Tenants, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.
Diesel prices have fluctuated significantly over time, often in parallel to changes in oil prices, and may fluctuate in the future as a result of many factors, including the impact of geopolitical tensions, for example, in connection with the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the related economic sanctions. However, following the unwind of the power managed services agreement with MTN South Africa and the new diesel-linked component included in our renewed contracts with MTN Nigeria, we have significantly reduced our exposure to diesel price fluctuations. The operational impact of the unwind is that the IHS South African business is no longer responsible for providing diesel or alternative power to tower sites other than electricity costs which are fully passed through to customers, while in Nigeria, we benefit from power indexation clauses which limit the impact in relation to increased diesel prices and conversely falling diesel prices.
Through our international operations, we are also exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from currency exposures other than the US Dollar, such as the BRL, NGN, RWF, XAF, XOF, ZAR and ZMW currencies. Any fluctuations in these foreign currency exchange rates could result in a material adverse effect on the cash flow and future profits.
Outstanding balances and advances under certain of our existing credit facilities bear interest at rates which vary depending on certain underlying or reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or SOFR, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Term SOFR, the European interbank offered rate, or EURIBOR, the Nigerian Monetary Policy Rate, or MPR, the Central Bank of Kuwait’s Discount Rate, the Johannesburg Interbank Average Rate, or JIBAR, or the Brazilian interbank deposit rate, or CDI. Increases in such reference rates increase our interest expense, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and/or results of operations. Such increases in interest rates could also have a material adverse effect on our cash flows and our ability to service our debt in the longer term. In addition, we may procure additional indebtedness at floating rates in the future.