As the key players in the mobile technology ecosystem gathered yesterday at the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC25) in Barcelona, Spain in 2025, Africa’s largest telecom operator, MTN Group, announced its intention to transform into a tech-enabled platform business.
The message was delivered by Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita, who joined industry experts Hatem Dowidar from e& and Makoto Takahashi from KDDI Corporation for the keynote “Beyond Connectivity: The Telco to Techco Transformation,” moderated by Lara Dewar, GSMA chief marketing officer.
The discussion centred on how AI, Cloud, and 5G Standalone are transforming the telecom industry, increasing digital and financial inclusion, and enabling new business models in industries such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and mining.
For MTN, as a 30-year pan-African digital operator with 290 million mobile customers and a fiber network exceeding 114,000 km, the telco said it is committed to transforming the continent.
In a statement, it said: “Our three-platform strategy—Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure—positions us to enhance home connectivity, empower small medium-sized businesses, and build Africa’s digital highways.”
It continued: “We showcased ten impactful AI use cases and emphasised our dedication to strategic partnerships and policy reforms to drive digital progress. Our vision is to evolve into a tech-enabled platform business, delivering dignity, hope, and opportunity for all Africans.”
Meanwhile, the GSMA announced the introduction of a new skills training initiative to combat digital poverty and close the digital gap.
GSMA Advance, the mobile industry association’s skills and training branch, will work with the N50 Project to give at least 100 fully financed scholarships to individuals and communities globally, providing access to specialised digital training tools and educational courses.
Through the scholarships, applicants will be able to further their knowledge through GSMA Advance’s curriculum into the latest advancements in mobile technology.
Source: Samuel Mungadze (itweb.africa)
