Current Volume 8
Telecom Infrastructure Audit Models for African Markets: A Data-Driven Governance Perspective
Abstract
Telecom infrastructure audits have emerged as a critical governance mechanism in Africa’s fast-growing digital economy, where operators face complex regulatory landscapes, operational inefficiencies, and asset management challenges. This presents a data-driven audit framework grounded in hands-on strategic audit work conducted across IHS Towers’ African subsidiaries. Drawing from cross-country fieldwork, the review outlines methodologies tailored to fragmented and high-growth telecom environments, including standardized data collection, on-site verification protocols, and digital dashboard integration. The framework emphasizes three core pillars: data integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Infrastructure audit models discussed incorporate advanced tools such as GIS mapping, smart metering, telemetry data, and drone-based visual validation to address data inconsistencies and improve the reliability of asset registries. A centralized audit dashboard developed to consolidate real-time inputs from disparate operational systems enables enhanced oversight of tower condition, tenancy compliance, and power consumption patterns. The study highlights how data triangulation supports early detection of ghost assets, unauthorized tenant installations, and inefficient diesel usage, which directly impacts operating expenditure (OPEX) and service reliability. Beyond operational diagnostics, the review explores how audit-driven insights contribute to enhanced environmental and municipal compliance, improved vendor accountability, and transparency in tower portfolio valuations. Case examples from West, East, and Central African operations demonstrate measurable gains in asset recovery, SLA enforcement, and regulatory standing. The review concludes with strategic recommendations for institutionalizing audit practices through regional centers of excellence and integrating AI-driven anomaly detection systems. The review argues for embedding infrastructure audits within the governance architecture of African telecom firms, not just as a compliance exercise but as a strategic lever for value creation, risk mitigation, and sustainable infrastructure management in a continent poised for continued connectivity expansion.
Keywords
Telecom infrastructure, Audit models, African markets, Data-driven, Governance perspective
Citations
IRE Journals:
Benedict Ifechukwude Ashiedu , Ejielo Ogbuefi , Uloma Stella Nwabekee , Jeffrey Chidera Ogeawuchi , Abraham Ayodeji Abayomi
"Telecom Infrastructure Audit Models for African Markets: A Data-Driven Governance Perspective" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 6 Issue 6 2022 Page 434-448
IEEE:
Benedict Ifechukwude Ashiedu , Ejielo Ogbuefi , Uloma Stella Nwabekee , Jeffrey Chidera Ogeawuchi , Abraham Ayodeji Abayomi
"Telecom Infrastructure Audit Models for African Markets: A Data-Driven Governance Perspective" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 6(6)
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IRE Journals is an open access online journals established with an aim to publish high quality of research work in various diciplines. We have more than 6 years in publications. Over 2500+ papers already published.
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