MTN Group Drives Digital Inclusion to Unlock Africa’s Potential

MTN Group is committed to unlocking Africa’s full potential, says President and CEO Ralph Mupita.

For MTN, connectivity isn’t merely about technology—it’s about creating life-changing opportunities.

Whether it’s bringing digital access to a rural school in Uganda, supporting a Cameroonian entrepreneur through mobile money (MoMo), or connecting remote communities in Ghana via solar-powered internet, MTN is enabling transformative progress across the continent.

This mission—empowering people to benefit from a modern, connected life—guides everything MTN does. It influences corporate governance, shapes innovation, and steers partnerships and infrastructure investments.

In 2024 alone, MTN paid over R10 billion in income taxes and invested nearly R30 billion in digital infrastructure. But beyond the numbers, what matters most is the impact—jobs created, services delivered, and opportunities made possible.

MTN connected 291 million people in 2024, including 158 million internet users and 63 million MoMo users who accessed vital financial services. The company’s broadband network now reaches 500 million people—around 93% of the population in its markets. MTN has helped 22 million individuals build digital skills and enabled 3.5 million indirect jobs through its network and MoMo platform.

One of MTN’s hallmark initiatives, 21 Days of Y’ello Care, mobilizes employees to give back to their communities. Since its start in 2007, the campaign has positively impacted hundreds of thousands of lives, showcasing the ripple effect of collective goodwill.

But MTN knows it can’t achieve progress alone. Collaboration—with governments, tech innovators, and civil society—is key to fostering meaningful digital inclusion. By co-creating solutions and sharing responsibility, MTN is helping to build a stronger digital future.

Trust and safety are also core to the company’s approach. MTN remains committed to safeguarding digital rights, ensuring transparency, and building resilient systems that protect users.

As Africa navigates an era of major geopolitical and technological change, the continent must lead its own progress to avoid being left behind. Embracing 5G, AI, and non-terrestrial networks will be crucial for future growth.

To truly unlock Africa’s digital potential, Mupita emphasizes several key policy priorities:

• Supportive and clear regulatory frameworks to encourage investment.

• Adequate spectrum allocation for growing data needs.

• Balanced regulation across terrestrial, non-terrestrial, and OTT services.

• Market structures that support healthy competition and consolidation.

• Fiscal reforms like lowering smartphone import duties and scrapping mobile money transaction levies.

• Investments in essential infrastructure such as reliable power supply.

• Comprehensive digital skills development.

When implemented consistently, these policy foundations can power the structural growth of Africa’s digital economy, aligning with the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063—and beyond.