Bharti Airtel has completed the sale of mobile towers in five African countries for $1.3 billion, which will be used to reduce debt and also the process is under way for selling tower assets in six other nations.

The operator said it is negotiating similar deals for another six countries in Africa.

Earlier announced that it would divest tower assets in 13 countries in Africa to different tower companies.

Airtel initially owned 15,000 mobile towers across the continent, where it operates in 17 countries.

Last month a proposed deal with Helios Towers in Tanzania and Chad had expired without a final agreement.