MTN

MTN Group has reassigned MTN Rwanda’s Mapula Bodibe and MTN South Sudan’s Ali Monzer as part of a leadership reshuffle to support succession planning and advance its Ambition 2025 strategy.

Ali Monzer, formerly CEO of MTN South Sudan, now heads MTN Rwanda, bringing over 21 years of telecom experience. MTN Rwanda Chairman Faustin Mbundu highlighted Monzer’s leadership through challenging conditions in South Sudan, including war and economic instability.

Mapula Bodibe, who led MTN Rwanda since 2022, moves to MTN South Sudan. Her tenure saw notable milestones, including the launch of MTN Rwanda’s own 4G network, the country’s first live 5G demo, and the affordable Ikosora smartphone initiative. She also oversaw major network upgrades in Kigali.

Mbundu praised Bodibe’s impactful leadership and welcomed Monzer’s appointment to build on her legacy.

Source: IT Web

South Africa’s MTN Group has made a net gain of R564 million ($29.76 million) from selling 1.57 billion shares in its Ugandan subsidiary, despite offering them at a discount to meet Uganda’s 20% local ownership rule for foreign telecoms.

According to MTN’s 2024 audited financials, the sale generated R1.03 billion ($54.67 million) after taxes and costs. This latest transaction, completed in June 2024, reduced MTN’s stake in MTN Uganda from 83.05% to 76.02%.

The discounted offer, priced at Ush170 ($0.04) per share versus the original IPO price of Ush200 ($0.05), included an incentive of 30 free shares for every 140 purchased. The deal was oversubscribed 2.3 times, attracting three billion share requests.

This follows MTN’s initial public offering in Uganda in November 2021, which sold a 12.97% stake. Together, both offers helped MTN meet Uganda’s regulatory requirement to localize at least 20% of telecom ownership.

The move reflects broader pressures in Uganda, where the government seeks to curb profit repatriation by foreign-owned telecoms. Airtel Africa, facing the same rule, also plans to offload an additional 9.11% stake in Airtel Uganda after only partially meeting the requirement in its 2023 IPO.

MTN has also pursued localization elsewhere, including the sale of 686 million shares in MTN Ghana, reducing its stake to 73.99%. Meanwhile, the company continues to navigate operational challenges, such as a R11.72 billion ($618.66 million) impairment in Sudan due to conflict and inflation.

Additionally, MTN reported gains from subsidiary sales in Afghanistan and Guinea-Bissau (R1.3 billion) and a loss of R1.9 billion from exiting Guinea-Conakry in 2024.

Source: Extensia

MTN Group has teamed up with Meta to improve voice and video call quality on real-time apps like WhatsApp across 12 African markets. The collaboration focuses on optimizing network performance through data analytics, testing, and targeted interventions to ensure a more stable and seamless user experience.

Since MWC 2024, both teams have worked to fine-tune network and app interactions. Nigeria is the first country to benefit, with early results showing a 50% improvement in key performance indicators.

MTN Nigeria’s CTO, Yahaya Ibrahim, praised the enhanced user experience, while Meta’s Diego Marí highlighted the partnership’s role in delivering advanced, efficient solutions.

Source: Extensia

MTN Group is preparing to sell an additional 11% stake in MTN Nigeria to local investors, aiming to deepen local ownership and reduce its shareholding from 76% to 65%. The move builds on its 2021 sale of 575 million shares, part of a broader strategy to localize ownership across Nigeria, Ghana, and Uganda.

Group Chairman Ralph Mupita indicated the offer will launch once MTN Nigeria’s financial position stabilizes amid a challenging macroeconomic environment. Inflation in Nigeria rose to 33.1% in 2024, with the naira depreciating significantly against the dollar.

Despite these headwinds, MTN Nigeria reported a 36.1% increase in revenue to N3.36 trillion (USD 2.1 billion) in 2024. However, the company posted a net loss of N400.43 billion and has suspended dividend payments for the year.

MTN says it remains committed to sustainable growth and will continue to adapt to economic shifts while engaging stakeholders on future developments.

Source: Extensia

MTN Cameroon scored a victory in the Central African country, as the Littoral Court of Appeal in Douala lifted a garnishee order placed on the telco’s bank accounts by the Bestinver group of companies.

Cameroon’s largest telecoms operator revealed the development on Tuesday evening, saying in a statement that the court unanimously decided – on 24 February – that the Bestinver group of companies was not entitled to impose these garnishees, which it had done since September 2022. MTN Cameroon received its final order in March 2025.

MTN Cameroon said it welcomes the decision “affirming the legitimacy of its defence and restoring its rights”.

For almost three years, MTN had not been able to access its bank accounts, worth over $23 million, over a matter not related to the telecoms provider.

MTN and its banking partners were served with a garnishee order at the request of a business tycoon with strong government connections, Ahmadou Baba Danpullo, who owns Bestinver companies.

The matter emanates from an ongoing case in the South African High Court involving Danpullo’s South African company, Bestinver Holdings, and First National Bank.

In the matter, FNB, which was owed R507 million by Danpullo’s companies, launched applications for the winding-up of the companies, and on 19 June 2020, the companies were placed in provisional business rescue; on 26 October 2020, the order was made final.

In response, Danpullo cried foul, alleging discrimination, as his real estate portfolio, reportedly valued at R4 billion, was liquidated for the R507 million owed to the bank.

FNB denied the allegation, saying the move was strictly a normal business decision to recoup monies owed to the bank.

Danpullo then approached courts in his home country and was granted garnishee orders on MTN accounts, claiming it is a subsidiary of the Public Investment Corporation, which he says is also a shareholder in FNB.

At the time, Africa’s largest telecoms provider said, “MTN Cameroon firmly contests the garnishment of its bank accounts, which it considers abusive, fraudulent, and unacceptable, given that MTN Cameroon has no relation whatsoever with either the Bestinver group of companies, Mr. Danpullo, or the said South African bank.”

The telco told reporters that neither FNB nor the Public Investment Corporation is a shareholder of MTN Cameroon.

Then CEO Mitwa Ng’ambi said, “We see the seizure of MTN Cameroon’s accounts as abusive and nothing more than an attempt to access funds that legitimately belong to us.”

As MTN Cameroon celebrated its court victory over Bestinver yesterday, the telco said, “We are grateful to our customers and partners for their trust during this process, assuring them of our commitment to creating share value.”

MTN Group has already committed $225 million to strengthening its operations in Cameroon.

Group CEO Ralph Mupita made the announcement in August last year during a meeting with Cameroon’s prime minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, and his delegation on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg.

MTN said it is also interested in investing in future technologies, such as 5G, and is committed to ensuring more fair connection across the country by improving rural connectivity.

Source: Extensia

MTN South Sudan is expanding rural connectivity by providing 100 solar charging units to underserved communities.

The initiative will be carried out by MTN South Sudan’s regional sales managers in partnership with rural area chiefs to determine the best places for deployment.

According to the telco, the program aims to bridge the energy divide by delivering free and sustainable power solutions that allow households to stay connected.

Among other things, the units will help small companies and local shopkeepers who rely on MTN services, increase MTN’s involvement in community development and economic empowerment, and provide digital and financial access to the most remote places.

The charging solar systems are equipped with 12-volt batteries and have a capacity of around 280kWh, allowing people to charge their phones, laptops, and other vital gadgets.

MTN South Sudan says that by providing free access to solar-powered charging, it is driving digital and financial inclusivity while also empowering communities with uninterrupted connectivity.

“This initiative is a testament to our dedication to connecting South Sudan,” said Kenyi Lujang, head of sales and distribution at MTN South Sudan.

“By providing free solar charging, we are breaking down barriers to communication and financial services, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital age,” according to him.

Source: Extensia

The CEO of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has urged for stronger policy interventions to protect the country’s telecommunications infrastructure, particularly against persistent fibre cuts that disrupt services and hinder network quality.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement event in Accra dubbed “Time with MTN CEO Stephen Blewett”—held to mark his one-year anniversary—he emphasized the importance of fibre integrity to ensure reliable connectivity and customer satisfaction.

Mr. Blewett appealed to individuals to refrain from damaging fibre optic cables, describing them as a vital national asset. “People need to stop cutting fibre. I beg you—please stop cutting our fibre,” he said. He also stressed the need for assertive measures against such destructive actions, which he said impact the entire country.

He revealed that MTN Ghana invests over $200 million annually—over $1 billion in the past five years—to improve its network infrastructure. He noted the company’s plans to leverage emerging technologies like AI to enhance customer experience and service delivery.

Mr. Blewett reaffirmed his commitment to building a legacy of innovation, excellence, and continuous improvement in customer experience and network quality.

Source: Graphic Online

After two weeks of unveiling its new brand positioning tagged Today We Make Moves, MTN has announced the launch of its bold and compelling home and fiber connectivity offers, designed to connect South Africans like never before.

This launch is aligned with MTN’s refreshed brand vision, which focuses on bringing families closer, empowering them with innovative data solutions, and creating a meaningful impact through high-quality connectivity.

In today’s digital world, seamless, fast, and reliable internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

Whether it’s uninterrupted online meetings for remote work, smooth streaming for the entire family, or dependable connectivity for remote education, the quality of home internet directly influences daily life.

MTN is addressing this need with state-of-the-art 5G 5Gand Fibre Home Internet solutions, ensuring that South Africans can stay connected at home, no matter what their digital needs may be.

Through its 5G network, which covers over 44% of South Africa’s population, MTN delivers superfast speeds that unlock new opportunities for individuals and families, positioning South Africa at the forefront of digital transformation.

This forward-thinking approach has not gone unnoticed; MTN has been recognized as South Africa’s best network by independent global benchmarking organizations, umlaut and MyBroadband.

“Our investment in 5G infrastructure is not just about delivering faster speeds,” says Bertus Van der Vyver, General Manager: Postpaid and Residential at MTN South Africa.

“It’s about driving innovation, efficiency, and growth across all sectors of society. By offering reliable home internet, we’re making sure that every South African has the tools they need to succeed in the digital world.”

MTN is committed to connecting families by bringing fast-speed and dependable WiFi to homes across the country.

This means families can enjoy peace of mind, whether they are gaming, streaming their favorite shows, working remotely, or catching up with loved ones through video calls.

“Most importantly, in a time of increased financial constraints, we’ve created a variety of packages available on simple month-to-month contracts to suit all budgets,” Van der Vyver adds.

Among MTN’s most recent offerings is the Shesh@ 5G Home Internet promotion, featuring the Shesh@ 200 and Shesh@ 600 plans, which offer additional 5G data to explore MTN’s lightning-fast 5G speeds.

These plans provide unparalleled quality, allowing for seamless streaming of movies and series, low-latency online gaming, and hassle-free connectivity for multiple family members.

Source: Extensia

JOHANNESBURG, March 27 (Reuters) – The South African unit of MTN Group and American low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite provider Lynk Global said on Thursday they had made Africa’s first phone call via satellite, a potential solution to providing coverage in underserviced and rural areas.

Mobile operators and smartphone makers are racing to deploy satellite services to close gaps in network coverage.

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The call in Vryburg, in the North West province of South Africa, was part of a technical trial that enabled MTN (MTNJ.J) and Lynk Global to test voice-call quality using a standard smartphone and SMS capabilities over a LEO satellite connection, MTN South Africa Chief Executive Officer Charles Molapisi said.

“The technical trial was part of our work to find potential solutions to the challenges of providing coverage in underserved, rural, and remote areas,” he added.

Molapisi said the call showed MTN’s ability to complement its ground-based cell towers and other infrastructure with LEO satellite.

The companies received approval from the telecoms regulator ICASA to use radio frequencies on MTN-licensed spectrum for the trial. They did not elaborate on their next steps.

In November, MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita announced that MTN South Africa was carrying out proof of concepts—showing the feasibility of the plan—with a number of LEO satellite operators for possible partnerships.

LEO satellites provide high-speed internet even in areas where terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure such as fiber and mobile broadband is difficult and expensive to deploy.

MTN’s smaller rival, Cell C, is also seeking similar partnership agreements.

South Africa’s biggest operator, Vodacom (VODJ.J), majority owned by Britain’s Vodafone (VOD.L), announced a partnership with Amazon’s Project Kuiper LEO satellite in 2023.

Source: Extensia

At the end of 2023, Congo had approximately 5.9 million SIM cards for a population of 5.7 million. These subscriptions are shared between Airtel and MTN.

The Congolese government plans to impose sanctions on telecom operators that fail to comply with subscriber identification requirements. An audit is planned in the coming days to assess the compliance of mobile phone operators’ practices.

The initiative was revealed by the Congolese Postal and Electronic Communications Regulatory Agency (ARPCE) during a meeting with mobile phone companies MTN and Airtel on Wednesday, March 27. The meeting follows recent inspections that revealed the continued sale of SIM cards without prior registration, particularly in Pointe-Noire and Dolisie, according to the telecoms regulator.

“Identifying a subscriber is not an option. It is the primary condition for any security in a telecoms market. An operator that turns a blind eye to this point opens the door to fraud and chaos,” declared Benjamin Mouandza, director of electronic communications networks and services at ARPCE, during the meeting.

This pressure on telecom operators comes amid a digital transformation marked by growing adoption of telecommunications services. Between 2013 and 2023, the number of mobile phone subscribers increased from 4.6 million to 5.9 million, while internet subscribers more than doubled, from approximately 1.4 million in 2015 to 3.4 million in 2023. This expansion, however, is accompanied by a surge in fraud exploiting these communication channels, a phenomenon observed across the continent. In response to this threat, several countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, and Senegal, have launched SIM card registration campaigns, with the aim of deactivating non-compliant ones.

For now, the ARPCE has not detailed the exact penalties telecom operators face, but it has warned that they will be more stringent than simple formal notices. Under current regulations, they face a penalty equivalent to 1% of their reported turnover during the last financial year, an amount that can be doubled in the event of a repeat offense. Sanctions may also include a reduction in the license term, up to one year, or even its suspension or permanent withdrawal, in the event of repeated violations. 

Source: Extensia