What happens when a continent connects? In Africa, where vast distances and varied landscapes often separate communities, telecom infrastructure becomes the common thread that connects economies, entrepreneurs and daily lives.

Over the past few decades, connectivity has evolved from luxury to necessity—quite literally the backbone of Africa’s growth. Consider this: By the end of 2023, mobile phone penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa stood at over 44% – half a billion people – according to the GSMA 2024 report. Mobile internet penetration reached 27%, highlighting significant progress in closing the digital divide through infrastructure investments.

Flashback to 1996-a transformative year for telecommunications globally and in South Africa. Companies like Microsoft and Amazon were laying the foundation of the internet economy, while email and GSM networks revolutionised communication. The 24-hour economy had arrived. That same year, MTN launched operations in South Africa, a step that would redefine connectivity in the country and catalyse economic transformation across the continent.

Nearly three decades later, MTN’s journey across Africa offers a compelling case study to assess how connectivity has reshaped South, Central, and West Africa. Through innovation, resilience, and partnerships, the company has played a starring role in this digital transformation story that continues to unfold.

The Economic Lifeline of Connectivity

Connectivity is more than a convenience; it’s an economic lifeline. Across South, East, Central, and West Africa, telecom networks have empowered entrepreneurs, expanded markets, and driven financial inclusion. These developments were forecast in the past by institutions such as the World Bank, which noted that innovative business models and expanding internet access would be key drivers for fostering economic growth and job creation in underserved regions.

MTN’s Beyond 2025 Ambition positions connectivity as a critical pillar to drive economic impact and support national agendas across Central and West Africa. The company’s connectivity strategy has enabled the build of 2G/3G/4G and 5G networks providing population coverage of more than 90% in most markets, establishing networks that contribute positively to sustainability initiatives through decarbonization efforts referred to as Project Zero.

In Ghana, mobile connectivity fuels small businesses and e-commerce. MTN’s extensive 4G network has turned informal markets into thriving digital ecosystems, linking sellers with buyers far beyond their communities. Stephen Blewett, MTN Ghana CEO, explains the company’s mission: “Everybody deserves the benefit of a modern connected life,” which places a responsibility on MTN Ghana to drive connectivity into rural and underserved areas.

Meanwhile, in Cameroon, network expansion projects have empowered rural farmers to access real-time market data, increasing productivity and earnings. By linking underserved communities to broader economic ecosystems, connectivity has become a tool for empowerment.

WATCH: Ebenezer Asante (SVP of Markets, MTN Group) reveals why MTN now collaborates with its competitors – and how this changes everything about African business.

Bridging the Gap: Challenges of Expanding Connectivity

Connectivity may be transformative, but building the networks that deliver it is no small feat. High infrastructure costs, regulatory hurdles, and physical barriers in remote regions have historically slowed progress. According to this datareportal.com report, as of early 2024, nearly 60% of Cameroon’s population resides in urban areas, while just over 40% live in rural regions. Internet penetration across the country is approximately 44%, indicating that more than half of the population still lacks access to online services.

Overcoming these barriers requires ingenuity and collaboration. Strategic partnerships using OpenRAN technology have enabled MTN to deploy cost-effective rural solutions, while the company’s Network as a Service strategy has facilitated collaboration with competitor operators to allow national roaming services, subsequently increasing network footprints across markets.

Beyond traditional vendor partnerships, MTN has joined forces with Africa’s leading telecommunications operators in an unprecedented industry alliance. This collaboration represents a shift from competitive isolation to collective problem-solving, addressing challenges that no single operator can tackle alone.

MTN has pioneered solutions like solar-powered base stations and innovative green solutions to manage power infrastructure challenges in rural areas. The company has also introduced handset financing models across markets, offering six-month to one-year payment plans to address device affordability barriers in rural communities.

Building infrastructure is only the first step, notes Mitwa Kaemba Ng’ambi, MTN Côte d’Ivoire CEO. While MTN has achieved significant coverage expansion, the real challenge lies in ensuring meaningful usage of these services. Public-private partnerships have proven essential, and collaborations with local governments have streamlined processes and reduced deployment timelines for tower installations. Says Africa Analysis senior analyst, Chris Ngwenya, “Connectivity must be treated as critical infrastructure, like roads and electricity, to ensure no one is excluded.”

WATCH: Mitwa Kaemba Ng’ambi reveals the reality of MTN’s customers – and why building networks isn’t the real challenge anymore.

Entrepreneurship and Digital Access: A Virtuous Cycle

Connectivity has sparked a wave of entrepreneurship across Africa, particularly in fintech, e-commerce, and agritech. If the GSMA is correct, the internet economy is projected to reach 5.2% of the GDP in Africa by 2025, where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of this growth, relying on robust telecom networks to scale their operations.

In Ghana, connectivity-powered digital tools have enabled SMEs to expand beyond their traditional markets. Farmers now use mobile apps to track crop prices, connect with buyers, and optimise supply chains. MTN’s massive drive to acquire the SME market includes customized bundle services for women businesses, helping them stay connected, gain access to markets, access capital through financial partners, and utilize SME toolkits including website access and business support tools.

And in Cameroon, similar initiatives have allowed small businesses to access online platforms, tapping into regional and global trade.

Affordable, reliable connectivity is central to sustaining this momentum. “For SMEs to thrive,” says Chris Ngwenya, “They need an ecosystem that supports scalability, education, and trust in the digital economy.”

The rise of digital platforms has also spurred innovation in education and healthcare. In Ghana, schools equipped with digital tools powered by MTN’s network have brought resources to underserved communities through partnerships like the GIFEC project, which has enabled connectivity to reach 2,016 rural locations. In Cameroon, MTN Foundation programs have improved healthcare delivery by connecting rural clinics to urban hospitals for diagnostics and telemedicine.

Looking Ahead: A Connectivity Revolution

The next phase of connectivity in Africa indicates it will be as transformative as the last. With 5G trials underway in Ghana and IoT applications on the rise, agriculture, healthcare, and education innovations are set to reshape the continent. But questions remain: how do we ensure these benefits reach rural and underserved areas? And who will bear the costs of deploying next-generation networks?

Mobile money services like MoMo as discussed in our previous article in this series—have already played a central role in bridging gaps in financial inclusion. By aligning its growth strategy with the growing needs of African economies, MTN can look forward to continuing to connect people to opportunity across the continent.

Additional Resources: Africa Analysis white paper: ‘Africa Broadband Outlook 2024’.