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Author: Rene Carter

Following the announcement last week that IHS Holding Limited (NYSE: IHS) (“IHS Towers” or the “Company”) and MTN Group (JSE: MTN) had renewed and extended communications infrastructure deals in Nigeria, as well as completing the renewal of all contracts across IHS Towers-MTN markets recently, the companies said on Tuesday that with the commercial relationship now firmly established for the next decade, they will now work constructively to find a mutually agreeable resolution to governance issues previously raised.

On 7 August 2024, the companies announced the agreement to renew and extend all Nigerian tower Master Lease Agreements until December 2032. The contracts include new financial terms that provide what the parties believe to be a more sustainable split between local and foreign currency. With this, IHS Towers and MTN Group have now completed the renewal of approximately 26,000 MTN tenancies on IHS Towers infrastructure across six African markets – Nigeria, Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Zambia and South Africa.

MTN Group owns approximately 26% in IHS Towers, a stake which pre-dates the tower company’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021.

MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita said: “The renewal of the various contracts across our markets into the next decade put MTN operations in the respective markets onto a more sustainable footing. We remain focused on ensuring our networks are well invested, have high availability and have the headroom to meet the growing and structural demand for data going into the future. These renewals are key to those priorities. We look forward to working constructively with IHS on the outstanding governance issues now that commercial arrangements have been concluded.”

Sam Darwish, Chairman & CEO, IHS Towers, said, “As our largest customer and longest serving partner, we are proud to have completed the renewal of all tenancies with MTN Group in our African markets. Today, we reinforce our strategic relationship and commit to increased operational stability, by securing our revenue streams into the next decade, and leveraging our shared innovation to deliver critical connectivity and support digital inclusion across the African continent. We are excited by the next phase of our commercial partnership and welcome the opportunity to work constructively for the benefit of the end user.” 

Building on their 20+ year relationship as commercial partners, both companies will leverage their shared operational excellence and engineering expertiseto meet the end users’ increasingly sophisticated data demands. Together, IHS Towers and MTN Group have a track record of navigating complex operating environments and challenging macroeconomic conditions to deliver connectivity crucial to economic growth and digital inclusion.

Telecel Group Mobile and MTN Group are pleased to announce the completion of the transfer of MTN Guinea Bissau (“Spacetel”) to Telecel, marking a new chapter in the telecommunications landscape of the West African country. Telecel Group Mobile assets are fully managed by Telecel Group.

The acquisition process, which was closely monitored and approved by the Autoridade Reguladora Nacional (“ARN”), signifies Telecel’s commitment to expanding its footprints in the West African region. With this acquisition by Telecel Group Mobile, Telecel Group reaffirms its dedication to expanding its management footprint in Africa and delivering high-quality telecommunications services to the people of Guinea Bissau.

MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita expressed satisfaction with the completion of the transaction: “We are delighted to hand over the reins of MTN Guinea Bissau to Telecel Group, a company with a strong track record. This disposal aligns with our strategic priority to accelerate portfolio transformation. We thank our employees, customers and all stakeholders for their support over the years and are confident that Telecel will build on the solid foundation we have established in Guinea Bissau.”

Telecel Group CEO, Moh Damush, highlighted the significance of this acquisition by Telecel Group Mobile, “We are excited to officially welcome MTN Guinea Bissau into the Telecel family of managed networks. This is a testament to our commitment to the African market and our vision of connecting people through reliable and innovative telecommunications solutions. We are dedicated to providing exceptional services that will enhance connectivity and support economic growth.”

Regulatory Compliance and Future Plans

Telecel Group Mobile under the management of Telecel Group, has successfully fulfilled all the technical and financial requirements stipulated by the ARN, ensuring a seamless transition and continued adherence to the highest industry standards. The acquisition will not only enhance Spacetel service offerings but also introduce new technologies and infrastructure improvements to benefit the consumers and businesses in Guinea Bissau.

As part of its commitment to the local community, Telecel Group Mobile plans to invest in expanding network coverage, improving service quality, and launching new products tailored to the needs of Guinea Bissau’s diverse population. This strategic investment aims to encourage digital inclusion and drive economic development in the region.

MTN Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Mohammed Rufai as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Congo-Brazzaville and Ayham Moussa as Chief Operations Officer (COO) of MTN Nigeria, effective 1 September and 19 August 2024, respectively.

We also announce the voluntary early retirement of MTN Côte d’Ivoire CEO Djibril Ouattara and the departure of MTN Nigeria COO Hassan Jabber.

Mohammed Rufai is an accomplished professional with over 24 years of experience in ICT and an impressive track record in the telecoms industry. He joined MTN Nigeria in 2002 and subsequently moved to MTN Ghana, where he became Chief Technical Officer in 2015.

Currently, he serves as the Chief Technical Officer at MTN Nigeria. Mohammed has held various senior roles across the MTN Group, including Regional CTIO for Southeast Africa and Ghana. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Bayobab (Nigeria) and MTN Benin.

A driven leader, Mohammed is passionate about execution excellence, people development, and customer experience. He holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Science and certifications in Advanced Management and General Management. Mohammed is an alumnus of Lagos Business School, Cranfield University, UK, and the University of Cambridge, UK.

Mohammed assumes the reins at MTN Congo-Brazzaville from Ayham Moussa, who joins the MTN Nigeria executive leadership team at COO. Ayham replaces Hassan Jabber, who is leaving MTN. Ayham first joined MTN in 2002, returned in 2006 after a brief hiatus, and has since served the organisation in various markets, including Syria and Guinea-Conakry. He has held senior roles such as Chief Information Officer, Chief Technical and Information Officer, and CEO of MTN Congo-Brazzaville.

In his technology roles, Ayham played a key role in the country’s digital evolution from 2G to 4G, establishing MTN Congo-Brazzaville as a technology leader. His team’s efforts were recognised with awards for the best network in West and Central Africa and the MTN Group. As CEO, Ayham expanded MTN Congo’s leadership and business health, accelerating growth, margins, and operational excellence, while fostering strong relationships with various local stakeholders.

MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita extended his thanks to Djibril for his contribution over nearly nine years at MTN, saying he had been instrumental in building the business in Congo-Brazzaville and leading the turnaround of MTN Côte d’Ivoire. He also thanked Hassan for his immense contribution to the success of the Group over 22 years, where his roles included CEO in markets such as Sudan, Guinea-Conakry and Afghanistan.

“On behalf of the MTN Group Board and Group Exco, I wish both Djibril and Hassan well in their future endeavours. I also congratulate Ayham and Mohammed on their appointments and wish them success in their new roles,” he said.

Bayobab Group, a subsidiary of MTN, acknowledges that an outage in Kenya is partially affecting our ability to provide services in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan.

Our technical teams are working with partners to investigate and resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We are actively rerouting traffic to minimise disruption.

We regret the inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience as we work to restore service. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Thank you for your continued support.

In honour of our 30th anniversary, MTN Group is proud to announce a special edition of our flagship employee volunteerism programme, “21 Days of Y’ello Care,” now extended to “30 Days of Y’ello Care.” This year’s campaign, themed “Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow,” focuses on bridging the educational divide in underserved communities across MTN’s operational footprint.

2024 marks a significant milestone for MTN, celebrating 30 years of innovation, connectivity, and social impact. The “30 Days of Y’ello Care” initiative further demonstrates our commitment to leveraging technology and resources to empower communities and create a better, more inclusive future for all.

MTN recognises the transformative power of education. Through the “Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow” campaign, we aim to provide essential digital learning resources, reliable internet access, and engaging educational platforms to students and educators in underserved areas. By doing so, we are opening doors to opportunity and fostering the next generation of leaders.

“The theme – Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow, embodies our passion for creating a world where every young person has access to the tools required to reach their full potential,” said MTN Group Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer, Nompilo Morafo. “The 2024 campaign targets educational inequity, reflecting our deep-rooted commitment to empowering communities. It’s about fostering the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders who will shape their communities and the global landscape for years to come.”

The “30 Days of Y’ello Care” campaign will run from June 1st to 30th, 2024. Thousands of MTN employees will unite in this shared mission, participating in activities designed to make a lasting impact on educational access and quality.

MTN marks three decades of operations, celebrating a legacy of connecting people, changing lives, and driving economic growth across South Africa and the African continent.

“As we reflect on this significant milestone, we express our sincere gratitude to all our stakeholders, past and present, across multiple jurisdictions, for their support,” said MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita. “We couldn’t have achieved this remarkable success without you.”

Since its inception in 1994, MTN has evolved from a small South African start-up with 20 employees into a global telecommunications leader, employing over 17,500 individuals representing more than 70 nationalities across 18 diverse markets.

In South Africa, MTN’s impact has been profound. The company’s network now reaches 97% of the population, providing a foundation for digital inclusion and economic empowerment. By investing in cutting-edge technologies like 4G and 5G, MTN has ensured that South Africa remains at the forefront of technological advancement. A recent study by KPMG showed that MTN South Africa’s contribution to the country’s GDP is substantial, making it a key player in the national economy.

The evolution of handsets and the proliferation of apps have democratised access to information and essential services, from financial solutions to healthcare, education, and entertainment. This has been a game-changer for individuals and businesses alike.

MTN’s influence extends far beyond South Africa. In 2023, the MTN Group recorded over R220 billion (more than US$11 billion) in revenue, a testament to its market leadership and the growing demand for digital services across Africa. This success has driven the company’s market capitalisation to over R150 billion, solidifying its position as one of the continent’s most valuable companies.

Across Africa, MTN connects millions, empowering them with essential communication tools and access to vital services. More than 149 million people rely on MTN’s network for data access, fuelling a digital transformation that is reshaping industries and societies. Additionally, MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) provides over 65 million individuals with access to financial services, driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved communities.

MTN’s commitment to socio-economic development is evident everywhere. In 2023, the Group’s total tax contribution to governments across markets was nearly R62 billion (over US$3.3 billion), supporting vital public services and infrastructure development. MTN’s operations also generated some R159 billion in economic value, creating jobs, stimulating economic activity, and fostering digital innovation.

From the outset, the Group has been driven to make a social impact. Launched in 2001, the first MTN Foundation had an annual budget of R22 million. In 2023, MTN spent ten times that – R220 million – in corporate social responsibility across markets, with a special focus on developing digital skills to enable the digital economy.

Furthermore, both MTN Group and MTN South Africa have achieved Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment status, underscoring their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social transformation.

MTN’s dedication to giving back is embodied in the annual “21 Days of Y’ello Care” initiative, which has been extended to 30 days this year to commemorate the 30th anniversary. Kicking off on 01 June 2024 under the theme “Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow: Education for Rural and Remote Communities,” this initiative mobilises MTN employees across the continent to dedicate their time and resources to enhance educational opportunities. This year, the focus is on bridging the educational divide in rural and remote areas, providing digital learning tools, and supporting educational infrastructure to empower the next generation of leaders within these communities.

MTN’s 30-year journey is a testament to the transformative power of technology and the unwavering spirit of innovation. Looking to the future, MTN remains dedicated to bridging the digital divide, empowering individuals and communities, and driving Africa’s sustainable and inclusive progress through cutting-edge digital solutions.

MTN Group has retained the top spot in the annual ‘Brand Africa 100: Best Brands’ survey, also continuing to lead the list of African brands ‘doing good for society, people and environment’ in recognition of our ESG efforts to create shared value and a sustainable business, society and world.

“This Africa Day, we take heart from this accolade and would like to acknowledge and thank our partners everywhere for their support,” said MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita.

“MTN is committed to meeting our customers’ current and future needs, leveraging digital capabilities for a more sustainable future, and fostering strong partnerships to drive meaningful change. These awards inspire us to keep focused,” he added.

The Brand Africa awards are the result of independent research in more than 30 markets which account for 85% of the continent’s population and economic activity.

MTN Group has mobile operations in 17 countries on the continent. Since 2021, our strategy has been ‘Ambition 2025: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress’.

Among our ESG commitments are those to eco responsibility and achieving Net Zero emissions by 2040; driving digital and financial inclusion and a diverse society; being a committed partner to stakeholders to create and protect value; and boosting inclusive economic growth across the continent.

In April, Brand Finance ranked MTN as the most valuable South African brand, as well as the top South African brand by ‘sustainability perceptions value’, assigning MTN a brand value of R68.2 billion and a sustainability perceptions value of R5.7 billion.

Brand Africa Recognition

Reinforcing MTN’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation across the African continent, MTN Group Chairman Mcebisi Jonas and President & Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita engaged with the leaders of a number of countries on the sidelines of the annual Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda last week.

“Discussions with national leaders centred on those topics that support the national development goals of our host nations and of Africa as a whole,” Jonas said, adding that these included regulatory and policy harmonisation; investment in digital infrastructure; broadband access; and skills development.

MTN is urging governments to streamline regulations and policies to support the increased investment in digital infrastructure required to accelerate the continent’s economic development.

Africa’s largest digital operator is also working with partners to ensure that the continent has the quality broadband access required to enable a thriving digital economy. We also support the skilling and re-skilling of people across Africa to meet the demands of the digital age.

“These initiatives are crucial to foster an environment conducive to innovation, economic growth and sustainable development across Africa,” Mupita said, adding that they also align with MTN’s strategic intent of ‘leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress’.

Among those leaders with whom the MTN Group leadership duo met were Rwandan President HE Paul Kagame, Kenyan President HE William Ruto and Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister HE Robert Beugré Mambé.

“Digitalisation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution are changing Africa’s prospects,” Jonas said, adding that this was provided that the continent takes a number of steps, including strengthening governance, sustaining policy reforms, investing in infrastructure and skills, and navigating geopolitics.

“We should have a special focus on entrepreneurship and innovation in order to shift towards higher productivity growth,” he said. Partnerships and clear rules and transparency to protect them were also key.

MTN Group subsidiary MTN Côte d’Ivoire is the market leader in the West Africa country, with 16.2 million subscribers. MTN Rwanda also leads the market, with 7.4 million subscribers. Although MTN Group does not have a GSM operation in Kenya, MTN wholesale fibre business Bayobab operates in the East African country, where an MTN internet service provider business also operates. MTN Group has mobile operations in 17 countries in Africa and is working to extend digital inclusion in line with UN goals for universal broadband access.

MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita urged governments across Africa to consider harmonising regulations, particularly in the tech sector, to support the increased capital investment in digital infrastructure required to accelerate economic development.

He was speaking at the opening of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, where the theme of the gathering of some 2 000 business leaders, CEOs, investors, heads of state and ministers was ‘At the table or on the menu? A critical moment to shape a new future for Africa’.

“I would argue that the thing we do need to think about is harmonising regulatory developments, particularly in the technology space,” said Mupita, referencing the numerous different regulations that apply across Africa, where the population is of a similar size to that of India – a single country where only one set of regulations apply.

“How do we create regulatory systems that are common across Africa?” he asked delegates to the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, adding that harmonisation would help investors better anticipate their own returns and in turn encourage investment.

MTN Group has mobile operations in 17 countries in Africa and is working to extend digital inclusion in line with UN goals for universal broadband access.

Only around 500 million of the 1.2 billion people in Africa subscribe to mobile services. Just over half (57%) use 2G. This means only a quarter of Africans have access to the Internet. Most do not have smartphones, cannot afford them, and are digitally excluded.

MTN Group announces the release of our suite of annual reports for 2023, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive view of our resilient performance, strategic execution and contribution to society against a challenging macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop.

“In 2024, we at MTN celebrate 30 years of working to give Africans hope, dignity and opportunity,” said MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita. “We acknowledge the key role played by our stakeholders in the journey so far and invite you all to read our 2023 reports for a clear understanding of our strategic progress and priorities.”

The 2023 Integrated Report tells the overall MTN value-creation story, reflecting integrated thinking at the Group and its 19 operations. It is published alongside essential sustainability and financial reports as well as other important information for our shareholders. It highlights many 2023 milestones, among them:

With the acceleration of digital technologies, MTN sees the broad adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) as a material matter. “AI has the potential to drive innovation and efficiency across various sectors, but ethical implications and societal impact need to be carefully managed,” said Mupita, adding: “At MTN, we recognise the need to harness the power of digital technologies responsibly, ensuring our actions contribute positively to economic and social progress.”

As we reflect on three decades of impactful operations, our Sustainability Report pays tribute to the incredible individuals who have been integral to our success – from our dedicated staff and valued partners to the supportive governments and communities we serve. Their stories resonate throughout the report, highlighting our commitment to creating shared value across the continent. 

This year also marks the publication of our 20th consecutive annual Sustainability Report. We are honoured to look back on our journey of growth, innovation and commitment to creating a more sustainable future. This comes at a time where there is widespread adoption of the new investor-focused standards – IFRS S1 and IFRS S2, by the International Sustainability Standards Board. MTN is pleased to have taken proactive steps to begin implementing these standards.

As stewards of the digital age, we are dedicated to fostering a safe and transparent online environment. Our Transparency Report outlines the shifts in digital human rights driven by heightened security concerns, challenges in regulating privacy and growing awareness of digital rights protection. The landscape continues to evolve, reflecting the dynamic interplay between technology, law and societal values.

Climate change continues to leave its mark on Africa with record-breaking climate events across the continent in 2023. Our Climate Report highlights not only our work to reach Net Zero by 2040 but also our efforts to provide access to early warning systems for all through strategic partnerships such as that with Tomorrow.io and Microsoft. This helps ensure we continue to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress.

Faced with reduced fiscal revenues and the need for greater public spending to support economic activity, many African governments have sought new ways to generate revenue, among them broadening the tax base and increasing tax types and rates.

Our Tax Report shows how we are playing our part in supporting the socioeconomic development of our host nations, with a total contribution of R61.7 billion in taxes across our markets. These are not only corporate taxes but also indirect taxes, withholding taxes, payroll taxes, operating licence fees and other payments to government authorities.

“We recognise the important role our tax contributions play in uplifting communities across our footprint. Our voluntary Tax Report is an effort to explain our tax affairs in a comprehensive and transparent way, thereby underpinning the trust of our many stakeholders,” said MTN Group Chief Financial Officer Tsholo Molefe. “In supporting the attainment of sustainable societies across our markets, we take seriously our responsibility to be a compliant and transparent taxpayer.”

The Notice of Annual General Meeting (AGM) was issued on 25 April 2024. The AGM will take place virtually on Friday 24 May 2024 and provides an excellent opportunity for shareholders to participate and discuss the resolutions that will be presented. We encourage shareholders to attend the meeting.

Link to the website: https://mtn-investor.com/reporting-suite/index.php