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On Thursday, 23 April 2026, the world marks International Girls in ICT Day, a global call to action to ensure girls and young women can study, work and lead in technology. This year’s theme, “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future,” is timely because Africa’s economic future will increasingly be determined by whether its young people, especially young women, can convert digital access into job‑relevant skills, and skills into income and enterprise.

Why this matters now: Africa’s digital economy is growing, but the skills gap is the constraint

Across Sub‑Saharan Africa, the digital economy is expanding but the binding constraint is not ambition; it is readiness. Research anchored in IFC analysis suggests over 230 million jobs in Sub‑Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030, creating nearly 650 million training opportunities and an estimated $130 billion digital skilling market through 2030.

At the same time, Africa’s ability to fully capture this opportunity is hindered by a persistent access‑to‑use gap: GSMA reports a 60% mobile internet usage gap in Sub‑Saharan Africa, people who live within coverage but are not using mobile internet, driven by barriers such as device affordability and digital skills deficits.

For girls and young women, the urgency is even sharper. UNICEF has warned that in low‑income countries around 90% of adolescent girls and young women do not use the internet, underscoring the risk of a widening gender gap in opportunity as economies digitise.

In other words, the question is no longer whether Africa will digitalise, but whether Africa, especially its young women, will participate as builders and earners, not only users.

MTN’s approach: Digital Skills for Digital Jobs

At MTN, Girls in ICT Day is not only about awareness, it is about outcomes. Through the MTN Skills Academy and related digital training initiatives, MTN is building a learning‑to‑earning pathway that connects digital training to employability and entrepreneurship, equipping young people with practical skills aligned to a fast‑changing digital economy, including emerging fields such as AI, automation and digital innovation.

This is the essence of a Digital Skills for Digital Jobs approach: not simply offering content, but creating structured pathways that build capability, confidence and progression, from foundational literacy, to specialisations, to work readiness, to jobs and enterprise.

This year, we spotlight three young women whose journeys show what becomes possible when skills are linked to real opportunity.

Britney Alicia Prema Berinyu Moukoko (Cameroon): From skills to systems‑level leadership

Britney is a visionary young leader and social entrepreneur from Cameroon, currently pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering at the American University of Beirut as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar. As a member of Skolar, an initiative of the MTN Foundation Cameroon focused on digital inclusion, she distinguished herself as the youngest participant and second‑prize winner of the inaugural MTN Skills Academy in Cameroon.

The Academy equipped Britney with advanced technical and professional competencies that continue to shape her academic and humanitarian journey, strengthening her STEM foundation while building strategic problem‑solving, digital project management, and collaborative leadership tools. Today, she channels these capabilities into real impact.

She is the Founder of the Bright Future Builders Initiative, which has reached more than 10,000 young Cameroonians through education programmes, tech bootcamps and economic empowerment initiatives. She also serves as a teenage girl advisor for the FRIDA Fund and previously represented Sub‑Saharan Africa as a TechGirls spokesperson at the U.S. Department of State.

Britney’s story illustrates a powerful point about Africa’s digital future: when young women gain job‑relevant digital skills, they do not only access opportunity, they create it, scale it, and advocate for others to enter the digital economy with them.

Kgothatso Sebopelo (South Africa): From qualification to workplace entry

Kgothatso Sebopelo, a 26‑year‑old from the Setete section of North‑West Province, South Africa, is a standout alumna of the 2025 Digital Skills for Digital Jobs Programme. Designed to equip youth from previously disadvantaged communities with critical ICT capabilities, the programme offers a MICT SETA‑accredited qualification in Network and Systems Administration (NQF Level 5).

Kgothatso distinguished herself through exceptional discipline. Beyond completing the core qualification, she went further by completing 46 additional courses through the MTN Skills Academy, earning additional certification from the Academy. Following graduation, she secured an internship as an IT Specialist at Taletso TVET College.

Kgothatso’s journey demonstrates why “Digital Skills for Digital Jobs” must be the standard: training only matters when it shifts real labour market outcomes, moving young people from learning into credible work pathways, particularly in communities where opportunity has historically been uneven.

Rahima Nansamba (Uganda): From digital skills to entrepreneurship and community impact

At 23, Rahima is building a platform that merges digital empowerment with community wellness. Based in Kampala, Uganda, she is the Founder of She Wellness & Digital Impact Hub, an initiative focused on digital skills development, wellness advocacy and youth empowerment.

Rahima completed the MTN Skills Programme through Smart Girls Uganda in 2024, gaining exposure to digital skills and entrepreneurship fundamentals. The programme strengthened her confidence to navigate online platforms, build a brand and conceptualise sustainable digital ventures. Since then, she has expanded her capabilities through further training in innovation, creativity and transformation, time management, strategic planning, and public speaking. Operating as a solo Founder while collaborating with volunteers and creatives, Rahima is growing her hub as a space where young women can access digital knowledge, build confidence and explore income‑generating opportunities.

Rahima’s story highlights another dimension of the digital economy: the pathway is not only employment, it is also enterprise. Digital skills can unlock entrepreneurship, enabling young people to create ventures that serve communities and participate in the economy as job creators, not only job seekers.

Building a digitally inclusive future: from access to opportunity

International Girls in ICT Day is a reminder that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Africa’s digital future depends on whether connectivity is matched by capability, especially for girls and young women. With the continent facing a widening digital skills gap and a persistent usage gap linked to affordability and skills, building structured, job‑relevant pathways is no longer optional, it is a strategic investment in competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The stories of Britney, Kgothatso and Rahima show what becomes possible when young women are equipped not only with connectivity, but with the confidence and competence to participate in the digital economy as learners, earners and entrepreneurs.

As Africa’s transformation accelerates in the era of AI, empowering girls in ICT is not only a matter of equity, it is a direct lever for innovation, resilience and economic participation at scale.

Apply here

A Capacity Building Programme

MTN Group, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the African Editors Forum (TAEF), launched the Pan-African Media Innovation Programme (MIP), a continental initiative to equip journalists with the skills, tools, and networks required to navigate a rapidly changing information environment.

The Pan-African MIP is a 12-week certified learning journey delivered over 12 months, combining online academic modules with an in-person immersion in Johannesburg. The programme is designed to address the practical and strategic realities facing contemporary journalism, including digital transformation, media sustainability, ethics and law, innovation in newsroom practice, and the impact of platforms and emerging technologies on the information ecosystem. Fellows will also participate in newsroom immersion, industry masterclasses, study visits, and structured peer engagement that connects academic learning with real-world application.

For more information visit University of Johannesburg:

“Women are tired of hashtags. We need action.” 

That stark assessment, voiced during a recent intergenerational dialogue convened by MTN Group, captures a broader inflection point. As artificial intelligence reshapes economies, industries and power structures, the question is no longer whether women are included but whether they are positioned to influence how this transformation unfolds.  

The dialogue brought together global and industry leaders: Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Global Compact; Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at the GSMA; Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer; and Selorm Adadevoh, MTN Group Chief Commercial, Strategy and Transformation Officer, alongside young African women navigating leadership in a rapidly evolving digital economy. The central message was unambiguous: in an era of accelerating technological power, representation without influence is no longer sufficient. 

As Sanda Ojiambo noted early in the discussion, “AI will help us make better and more informed leadership decisions, but decision making will always be human. Decision making must be accountable, transparent, inclusive and it must think about the future.” This underscores a defining reality: while AI is reshaping how decisions are made, it does not remove the need for accountable, inclusive leadership. It elevates it. 

AI is already reshaping how capital is allocated, how risk is assessed, and how organisations operate. In this context, unequal access to leadership is not simply a social concern, it is a strategic and economic risk. If women remain underrepresented where these decisions are made, the systems shaping Africa’s next growth cycle risk embedding inequality at scale. 

As Angela Wamola emphasised, “For Africa, you will have to be bold and courageous because the headwinds are very strong but the opportunity is far more.” Capturing this opportunity will require deliberate, bold action, not incremental change. 

Excluding women from leadership in AI-driven sectors narrows the talent pool, weakens decision-making and constrains innovation. At scale, these gaps become embedded in products, platforms and institutions. For African economies pursuing productivity, competitiveness and inclusive growth, this is a material strategic risk. 

A critical distinction emerging from the dialogue is between access and influence. Mentorship remains important, but without sponsorship, networks and real pathways into decision-making, it has limited impact. Advice alone does not unlock access to capital, procurement pipelines or boardrooms. In a fast-moving digital economy, delayed inclusion compounds structural disadvantage. 

The younger women participating in the dialogue were clear – they are not seeking symbolic inclusion, but practical access: to funding, to leadership spaces, and to decision-makers willing to share power. As one participant reflected, “We don’t just want to be included, we want to be part of shaping the decisions.” Another added, “Opportunities need to be real and accessible, not just spoken about.” Their message was direct: inclusion must translate into measurable opportunity. 

As Selorm Adadevoh noted, “As a leader, the biggest trait is empathy and bringing the human back into the room.” In a period defined by technological acceleration, this reminder is critical: leadership must remain grounded in human experience, even as systems become more automated. 

As Nompilo Morafo reflected, “Leadership is not about titles or perfectly knowing the answer to all the questions. True leadership is about understanding that you need to be listening and getting advice from others.” In a period of rapid technological change, this openness is not just a leadership trait, it is a strategic necessity. 

For Africa, the challenge is not only to adopt new technologies, but to shape them with intent. As digital infrastructure expands, those with access to capital, education and networks will move faster. Without deliberate intervention, women and girls risk remaining at the consumer edge of technology, rather than participating in its design, ownership and governance. 

The broader context reinforces the urgency. Gains in gender equality are not guaranteed, and global consensus around inclusion is increasingly under pressure. At the same time, AI is accelerating structural shifts across sectors. The stakes are no longer limited to representation, they extend to who shapes the systems that will define economic and social outcomes for decades. 

Businesses, in particular, carry significant responsibility. They determine access to opportunity through hiring, leadership pipelines, investment decisions and partnerships. As AI reshapes the economy, these choices will determine whether progress expands participation or reinforces exclusion. 

For MTN, this is a strategic imperative. Digital transformation must be inclusive by design. Connectivity alone is insufficient, pathways into leadership, technical disciplines, innovation ecosystems and governance structures are equally critical. 

In an Africa increasingly shaped by AI, advancing women’s leadership is not only a social imperative – it is an economic and strategic one. It will influence decision quality, institutional resilience, innovation depth and the sustainability of growth. 

Access remains important. But in this next phase of transformation, it is influence, authority and leadership that will determine who defines the future. 

Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026 once again served as the world’s most influential gathering for the mobile and digital technology ecosystem. For MTN Group, the event provided a high-level platform to advance strategic partnerships, engage policymakers, showcase innovation across its markets, and reinforce its leadership in Africa1s digital transformation. Across four days of engagements in Barcelona, MTN’s presence focused on accelerating Africa’s digital future through Al-driven networks, digital inclusion, financial ecosystem expansion, infrastructure investment, and strategic industry collaboration.

Global Themes at MWC Barcelona 2026

MWC Barcelona 2026 was defined by a strong focus on the next phase of digital transformation, with discussions centered around artificial intelligence, intelligent networks, digital infrastructure, and the need to close the global digital usage gap. Across panels, leadership dialogues, and industry announcements, a common theme emerged: connectivity alone is no longer enough. The next phase of growth will be driven by Al enabled networks, affordable access to devices, trusted digital financial ecosystems, and strong collaboration between industry leaders, policymakers, and technology partners.

Against this backdrop, MTN Group’s participation throughout the week reflected its strategic priorities of building intelligent connectivity, expanding financial inclusion, and strengthening Africa’s digital infrastructure.

Strategic Partnerships & Industry Collaboration

Ralph Mupita at Global Leadership panels

MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita participated in several high-level discussions during MWC Barcelona 2026, contributing perspectives on the future of connectivity, Al, and digital infrastructure.

During the keynote session “Built for What’s Next”, global telecom leaders discussed how the industry is evolving as connectivity becomes more intelligent, adaptive, and human-centric. The discussion explored how artificial intelligence, cloud-native technologies and next-generation infrastructure are reshaping both network operations and digital experiences.

The session brought together senior industry leaders including executives from Jio Platforms, TIM, Turkcell, Colt Technology Services and global policymakers, highlighting the global scale of the transformation underway.

Ralph Mupita also participated in the GSMA Ministerial Programme session “Unlocking Al Readiness Globally.” The discussion examined how governments and industry can collaborate to accelerate Al adoption, build the right regulatory frameworks, and create the  enabling conditions required  for  innovation  and  investment  across regions.

The Africa Pavilion: A Landmark Moment for the Continent

One of the defining moments of MWC Barcelona 2026 was the launch of the Africa Pavilion, inaugurated by Africa’s leading telecom CEOs, known as the G6, in collaboration with GSMA Africa.

MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita joined fellow industry leaders to officially open the pavilion, which represents the first coordinated platform dedicated to showcasing Africa’s digital innovation and telecom ecosystem at the world’s largest mobile industry event.

The initiative highlights a collective commitment from Africa’s telecom leaders to accelerate digital development through:

The pavilion generated strong engagement from global stakeholders and was widely seen as an important step in elevating Africa’s digital ecosystem on the global stage.

In addition to the inauguration ceremony, MTN was strongly represented at the Africa Pavilion throughout the event. The pavilion served as a focal point for African innovation and collaboration, hosting discussions with policymakers, industry partners, and global stakeholders.

The official ribbon cutting marked the launch of the pavilion, reinforcing the collective ambition of Africa’s telecom leaders to showcase the continent’s digital ecosystem on the global stage.

 The G6 leadership group also convened during MWC Barcelona to launch two important industry initiatives focused on smartphone affordability and Al language innovation, reinforcing the role of African operators in shaping the continent’s digital future.

Connectivity for Displaced  Communities

Another important milestone during MWC Barcelona was the announcement of a multi-year partnership between MTN Group and UNHCR.

The collaboration aims to expand meaningful connectivity for refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities across Africa. The partnership will focus on improving access to connectivity, mobile money services, digital skills, and digital identity solutions in regions hosting displaced populations.

“At MTN, we believe everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. Connectivity is not a privilege; it is foundational to dignity, protection and economic participation. When people are forced to flee, digital access becomes critical, it keeps families connected, enables access to assistance, and restores agency. This partnership reflects our conviction that inclusion must be intentional and systemic, especially for the most vulnerable.” – Nompilo Morafo, Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, MTN Group

“For displaced communities, digital access is essential to protection, resilience and opportunity. It allows people to receive lifesaving information, connect with support networks and rebuild their futures. MTN’s reach and scale across Africa make this collaboration a significant step toward closing the connectivity gap for millions.”- Kelly T. Clements UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner

The initiative aligns with the broader Connectivity for Refugees initiative, which aims to connect 20 million displaced people by 2030.

The MTN stand also welcomed several high-level visitors during the week, including the Minister of Communications of Syria, who met with MTN leadership to discuss digital infrastructure development and opportunities for international collaboration in the evolving telecom landscape.

Closing the Digital Usage gap

A major theme across MTN’s engagements during MWC Barcelona was addressing Africa’s mobile internet usage gap, where millions remain offline despite living within broadband coverage.

As part of the GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition, MTN joined other industry leaders and global partners in launching pilots to introduce affordable entry-level 4G smartphones across six African countries:

The initiative aims to bring sub-$40 smartphones to market, helping unlock mobile internet access for millions of people who currently cannot afford connected devices.

“Affordable smartphones are the gateway to digital and financial inclusion, economic opportunity and innovation. 3.1 billion people have mobile coverage but are not connected to the mobile internet. Together with the G6 group of leading African operators, we are sending a clear demand signal to bring low-cost 4G devices to market. In a global context of rising memory costs, governments have an important role in bridging the usage gap. Removing taxes and import duties on entry-level 4G smartphones will be critical to achieving scale.” – Vivek Badrinath – Director General GSMA

By combining affordable devices with infrastructure investment and supportive regulatory policies, the coalition seeks to accelerate digital adoption and economic participation across Africa.

MTN and Hauwei expand strategic cooperation

One of the key announcements during the week was the signing of a Strategic Memorandum of Understanding between MTN Group and Huawei. The agreement marks a significant step in strengthening collaboration around next-generation network evolution and intelligent infrastructure.

The partnership focuses on several priority areas including Al-driven network operations, home broadband expansion, digital infrastructure development, data monetization, and ESG initiatives.

A central of the collaboration is the evolution toward Level 4 Autonomous Networks (AN L4). Through the introduction of Agentic Networks powered by Al copilots and intelligent agents, MTN and Huawei aim to transform network management from traditional human-driven operations to autonomous systems capable of closed-loop optimization across planning, deployment, and operations.

The agreement also includes joint innovation through the Huawei-MTN Technology Innovation Lab in South Africa, enabling new solutions to progress from proof-of-concept to pilot and large-scale commercial deployment.

 This collaboration reflects MTN’s strategic commitment to Al-enabled network transformation and the development of Africa’s next generation digital infrastructure.

Industry recognation and network leadership

Opensignal Awards Confirm MTN Network Leadership

During MWC Barcelona, MTN1s strong network performance was recognized by Opensignal, whose latest South Africa Mobile Network Experience Report confirmed the operator’s leadership in user experience.

MTN secured 11 out of 15 awards, including:

The results underline MTN’s continued investment in network quality and customer experience as mobile data demand accelerates across South Africa.

Mobile data traffic continues to grow rapidly across the market. Between the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2025, MTN recorded a 23% increase in mobile data traffic, reflecting the growing importance of mobile connectivity for everyday digital services.

Speedtest Awards for MTN Ghana and MTN Nigeria

Further recognition came through Ookla Speedtest Awards, where multiple MTN markets were honored for network performance.

MTN Ghana was recognized as:

Meanwhile, MTN Nigeria received Speedtest Awards for:

 These awards highlight the Group’s continued investment in both mobile and fixed broadband infrastructure across its markets.

Policy engagement and strategic dialogue

MWC Barcelona also provided an opportunity for MTN leadership to engage directly with policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders on the future of Africa’s digital economy.

 A notable moment during the week was a leadership exchange between MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita and South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, focusing on the policy environment required to accelerate digital growth, infrastructure investment, and innovation across the continent.

MTN’s delegation also participated in broader GSMA discussions on Al, digital infrastructure, and the policy frameworks required to close Africa’s digital usage gap.

At the opening dinner of MWC Barcelona, Ralph Mupita met with the King of Spain and the President of Spain in his role as Deputy Chairman of the GSMA, highlighting MTN’s position within global industry leadership.

Advancing  Inclusive Digital Financial Ecosystems

Financial inclusion also featured prominently during MTN’s participation at the event.

During an industry panel, Serigne Dioum, MTN Group Fintech CEO, highlighted how the company’s MoMo platform is evolving from a closed wallet into an open financial ecosystem.

Interoperability is expanding across MTN’s 14 fintech markets through integrations that now include:

The focus is not only on technical integration but on ensuring customer protection, transparent pricing, and sustainable partner incentives as digital financial ecosystems scale across the continent.

Fintech Leadership and Responsible Innovation

Responsible innovation is essential to the sustainable growth of digital financial services.

At MWC Barcelona, Nikiwe Tanga (Tsaagane), Group Chief Legal Officer of MTN Fintech Group, participated in the panel “Scaling Responsibly in Evolving Regulatory Environments.”

The discussion explored how fintech leaders can expand access to financial services while navigating complex and rapidly evolving regulatory landscapes. As digital financial ecosystems grow across Africa, collaboration between industry players, regulators, and policymakers remains critical to building trusted, secure, and inclusive platforms.

The session highlighted the importance of strong governance frameworks, responsible innovation, and regulatory alignment to ensure that fintech growth continues to deliver meaningful value to customers and communities.

At MTN Group Fintech, the focus remains on scaling digital financial services in a way that prioritizes trust, transparency, and customer protection while advancing financial inclusion across the continent.

Addressing The Responsible Use of Al

Mulinge Sylvia M.B.S., Chief Executive Officer of MTN Uganda, participated in a panel discussion titled “Managing the Dark Side of Al.” The discussion focused on the growing importance of governance, security, and ethical frameworks as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into digital ecosystems.

During the week of the event, Mulinge also experienced firsthand the risks associated with emerging Al technologies when a deepfake video using her likeness circulated online without her consent.

“Al is only as safe as the governance and integrity of the data it learns from. Build that foundation right, and Al becomes a powerful force for good. Get it wrong, and the consequences go beyond business, they touch livelihoods. Regulation is also a key part of the story when talking about this dark side. We must rapidly close the gap between technology advancing fast and rules catching  up slowly.” – Mulinge Sylvia M.B.S., Chief Executive Officer of MTN

Key Themes From MWC Barcelona 2026

Several themes shaped MTN’s engagements throughout the week:

Artificial Intelligence and Agentic Networks

Digital Inclusion & Affordable Devices

Infrastructure & Data Monetization

 Open Financial Ecosystems

 Humanitarian Connectivity

“As I reflect on our own strategy at MTN, a couple of key takeaways stand out. First, we have set the right strategy for the next three to five years as we advance our ‘One MTN, Three Platforms’ approach: an intelligent connectivity business, a fintech business transforming to meet the needs of our customers, and digital infrastructure as a core pillar of our strategy, with continued investment in fiber, data centres, and towers – all increasingly infused with Al as it continues to evolve.” – Ralph Mupita, Group President & CEO, MTN

MTN will participate in MWC Barcelona 2026 from 2 to 5 March at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, joining global industry leaders, governments and investors as the sector shapes the next phase of digital infrastructure and services. Convened by the GSMA, MWC Barcelona 2026 marks the event’s 20th edition in Barcelona and remains the sector’s most influential gathering on connectivity and the digital economy.

For the first time at MWC Barcelona, MTN will exhibit from its own stand in Hall 4, providing a dedicated space for leadership engagement on the infrastructure, policy and partnership priorities shaping Africa’s digital and AI readiness.

With the event theme, “The IQ Era,” MWC Barcelona 2026 will spotlight AI-powered connectivity, next-generation networks and the systems that make digital transformation durable, secure and scalable. For Africa, AI readiness will be determined by fundamentals that can be built, financed and governed: resilient networks and supporting infrastructure, affordable access, relevant skills, and policy and regulatory certainty that supports long-term investment. MTN’s participation reflects its continued focus on strengthening these foundations through sustained network investment, expanding digital and financial services, and supporting partnerships that extend reach and reduce barriers to inclusion.

Leading the MTN delegation, Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita, in his capacity as Deputy Chair of the GSMA, will engage in high-level discussions on the enabling role of telecommunications in AI ecosystems. His participation in leadership engagements during the week will focus on the infrastructure and enabling frameworks required for responsible AI adoption at scale, particularly in emerging markets.

MTN’s broader executive team will contribute to specialised dialogues on priorities central to Africa’s digital future, including fintech innovation, digital trust and online safety, and the partnership models needed to accelerate coverage, strengthen resilience and build confidence in digital platforms.

MTN invites partners, investors, media and stakeholders attending MWC Barcelona 2026 to connect with the team in Hall 4 to engage on how Africa’s digital future is being built, and the practical collaboration required to ensure the AI era broadens opportunity rather than widening divides.

Nourishing Tomorrow: Innovations for Food, Energy, and Water Security

Across Africa, a new generation of eco-entrepreneurs is proving that innovation rooted in local realities can unlock continental transformation. Guided by the 2025 theme, “Nourishing Tomorrow: Innovations for Food, Energy, and Water Security, the 2025 Africa PachiPanda Challenge has once again illuminated the extraordinary potential of young Africans designing solutions local environmental challenges. By placing youth-led innovation at the centre of climate action, the Challenge contributes to building Africa’s green economy and accelerating inclusive, low-carbon growth.

Africa is the youngest continent in the world, yet its youth remain among the most vulnerable to climate shocks, unemployment and systemic inequality. At the same time, they are powerful agents of change – closest to the challenges, deeply invested in their communities, and uniquely positioned to shape sustainable solutions. MTN recognises that empowering young people is both a social imperative and a critical driver of long-term sustainability and resilience across the continent.

Designed to empower Africa’s next generation of environmental leaders, the Africa PachiPanda Challenge equips young eco-innovators aged 18–35 with the tools, mentorship and networks needed to scale climate-smart solutions. Through this initiative, MTN, together with World Wide Fund (WWF) and others, reinforces its commitment to supporting ideas that deliver lasting value for the environment and local communities. While Africa contributes the least to global greenhouse-gas emissions, it is disproportionately affected by climate change. MTN believes that those most impacted must be at the centre of designing solutions, and that digital connectivity, entrepreneurship and access to markets are critical enablers of a just and inclusive green transition.

The programme continues to grow in both reach and impact. Since its inception, the continental edition has expanded from Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon in 2024 to now include Uganda in 2025, further strengthening regional collaboration and deepening its pan-African footprint. Applications have increased by approximately 35–40%, and the number of eco-entrepreneurs developed through structured training, mentorship and pitch preparation has almost doubled to more than 150 participants across participating markets.

For MTN, PachiPanda demonstrates how digital connectivity and targeted partnerships can strategically enable scalable green enterprises, strengthen local innovation ecosystems and deliver shared value across markets, while positioning MTN as a credible catalyst of Africa’s green economy and equipping youth innovators to attract capital, partnerships and policy-relevant exposure beyond the programme. The 2025 OpCo champions exemplify how creativity, technology and purpose can converge to solve pressing environmental challenges.

In Nigeria, OneGrid Energies is tackling pollution while expanding access to clean energy in underserved communities. By upcycling waste plastic bottles and used lithium-ion batteries into affordable lanterns, the innovation reduces environmental harm while meeting essential household lighting needs. This circular approach is strengthened by solar-powered charging stations operated by rural women, creating local energy hubs that combine environmental impact with economic empowerment.

In South Africa, CarbonSmart Solutions Africa, founded by Wendile Mpofu, is reimagining sustainable agriculture by helping smallholder farmers improve soil health while earning verified carbon credits. Using biochar and advanced digital monitoring tools supported by IoT technology, the enterprise enables transparent measurement of carbon sequestration. Its intuitive app gives farmers access to soil data, training and carbon market insights, creating an inclusive pathway for rural communities to benefit from global climate finance.

Uganda’s FarmGate Digital, led by Ruth Kyobutungi, is transforming food security through data-driven agriculture. The platform aggregates real farm-gate prices from local markets and provides predictive insights that help farmers plan when to harvest, store and sell their produce. By reducing income losses, preventing food spoilage and improving market transparency, FarmGate strengthens food systems while promoting more efficient and environmentally responsible agricultural practices.

In Zambia, McKingtorch Zambia, founded by Racheal Tembo, addresses the growing challenge of plastic pollution by converting waste into durable, eco-friendly products such as bags and slippers. Beyond reducing environmental hazards and waste-management backlogs, the enterprise creates green jobs and skills development opportunities, particularly for youth and women. Its work demonstrates how community-based recycling solutions can deliver both environmental protection and inclusive economic value.

Cameroon’s first-place PachiPanda champion strengthens this pan-African innovation narrative through a solution that links sustainability with education. nTron STEM Kit transforms plastic waste into 3D-printing filaments used to create hands-on STEM kits that introduce young people to electronics, robotics and practical problem solving. By combining waste reduction with skills development, the innovation diverts plastic from the environment while equipping the next generation to participate in Africa’s green and digital economy.   

Crucially, the impact of the PachiPanda Challenge extends well beyond the finale. Alumni innovations have translated into tangible, real-world outcomes across food security, education, health and clean energy — preventing more than 120 tonnes of food waste through solar-powered cold-chain solutions, expanding digital learning access to over 15,000 underserved learners, improving women’s health through affordable menstrual-care ecosystems, and delivering clean energy and STEM skills through circular, e-waste-based models. Several innovators have progressed onto international platforms, including African Union-linked initiatives, unlocking further funding, mentorship and market access to scale their impact.

Together, these innovators demonstrate how youth-led entrepreneurship can power progress across Africa — supporting livelihoods, protecting ecosystems and building resilience in communities most exposed to climate risk. Their solutions reflect our belief that sustainable development is achieved by investing in people and purpose, and by enabling high-potential enterprises to transition from early-stage ideas into scalable, market-ready businesses.

As part of the 2025 edition, MTN has strengthened the post-competition value proposition to accelerate real-world impact. Finalists will participate in an enhanced, immersive Masterclass hosted in partnership with Deloitte on 9 February, focused on business readiness, governance, scaling strategies and investor engagement.

Winners will receive funding from MTN to support the next phase of their growth, complemented by structured post-competition mentoring from Deloitte. This extended support model reflects MTN’s commitment to moving beyond recognition alone, towards sustained enterprise development and long-term impact creation. Immediately after the finale, the 2025 finalists will participate in an immersive learning experience hosted by Wits Business School, offering a carefully curated programme that blends history, academia and culture. The experience will include guided engagements at the iconic Wits Planetarium, the Origins Centre, and Wits Business School, providing participants with a deeper appreciation of Africa’s intellectual heritage, scientific inquiry and leadership traditions

As we celebrate their national victories, we also look ahead as they prepare to compete at the Africa PachiPanda Challenge Finals, to be hosted at MTN Group Headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 10 February 2026. The Finals will mark not only the culmination of the 2025 Challenge, but a milestone in MTN’s broader effort to catalyse Africa’s green economy through youth-led innovation, partnerships and digital enablement.

Their journeys are a testament to the transformative power of youth-driven solutions and a reminder that Africa’s sustainable future will be shaped by those bold enough to build it, today.

MTN Group kicked off its annual Global Leadership Gathering (GLG) – themed “3 Platforms, One MTN” – convening more than 400 senior leaders from across the Group’s markets for a three-day leadership forum running from Monday, 2 February to Wednesday, 4 February 2026. 

Hosted by Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita, and his Executive Team, the GLG brings together MTN’s senior leadership at a time of rapid change across the telecommunications and digital services sector. As customer expectations rise, regulatory requirements become more exacting and technology continues to reshape how services are delivered, sustained performance increasingly depends on clear leadership alignment, disciplined execution and consistent decision-making across diverse markets. 

The GLG is a focused leadership forum that enables MTN’s most senior decision-makers to align on priorities, assess performance and reinforce the standards of leadership, accountability and execution required to deliver consistently across a complex operating environment. 

“Our role is to enable Africa’s progress by connecting people, businesses and communities, and by extending digital and financial inclusion in the markets we serve. That responsibility demands leaders who work as one MTN in how we set priorities, make decisions and execute with discipline and consistency,” said Mupita. He noted that the gathering provides a critical opportunity for leaders to strengthen alignment on delivery priorities and leadership accountability across the Group. 

Over the three days, leaders will engage in a structured programme of leadership dialogue, facilitated discussions and expert-led sessions. The agenda is designed to support rigorous conversation on customer experience, execution discipline and leadership effectiveness, with a focus on driving consistency and quality of delivery across MTN’s footprint. 

Leadership effectiveness and culture form an integral part of the gathering. The GLG reinforces MTN’s Live Y’ello culture, which provides a shared foundation for leadership behaviour, decision-making and accountability across the Group. Anchored in MTN’s purpose and values, this cultural framework supports cohesive leadership practice and strengthens organisational capability across markets. 

The programme also brings an outside-in perspective through a range of global and regional voices spanning geopolitics, digital transformation, leadership and technology. Their contributions are intended to challenge perspectives, deepen shared understanding of the external environment and sharpen leadership dialogue on performance, priorities and execution across the Group. 

In a sector shaped by rising expectations and rapid change, MTN’s Global Leadership Gathering underscores the Group’s focus on leadership alignment, execution discipline and organisational readiness, strengthening the conditions for consistent delivery and long-term value creation across its markets. 

MTN was privileged to support the Nigeria–South Africa Presidential Trade and Investment Breakfast Dialogue, convened by the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa on 21 November 2025, ahead of the G20 Summit. 

Held under the theme “Driving Sustainable Investment, Innovation and Inclusive Trade,” the dialogue brought together ministers, governors, South African CEOs and investors to explore new ways of deepening collaboration between two of Africa’s most influential economies. 

As a proudly African company, MTN recognises the importance of strong regional partnerships in strengthening the continent’s economic foundations. Nigeria and South Africa share a long-standing relationship that is central to advancing trade, investment and innovation across Africa. 

In his welcome remarks, MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting efforts that strengthen economic cooperation.  

“Strengthening the economic ties between Nigeria and South Africa is essential for boosting intra-African trade, attracting quality investment and accelerating industrial development,” he said.  

“Infrastructure, both digital and physical, will continue to be the engine of this progress. Today’s engagement underscores our shared belief that by working together we can create an Africa that is more resilient, more competitive and better positioned to seize global opportunities.” 

MTN’s support for the dialogue reflects its wider commitment to enabling Africa’s progress. Through our Ambition 2025 strategy and our ongoing work to drive digital and financial inclusion across the continent, we remain focused on enabling environments where businesses can thrive, investment can grow, and technology can accelerate development for millions. 

Hon. Adebayo Olawale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, addressed the gathering and reaffirmed that Nigeria remains firmly open to investment. As he put it, “Nigeria is open for business, safe for investment.” 

Sanyade Okoli, Special Adviser to the President on Finance and the Economy, highlighted Nigeria’s ambition to grow its GDP by 7% by 2027 and to expand employment opportunities across the country.  

She noted that achieving this requires a coordinated focus on four key pillars: strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals, advancing sound governance and regulatory reforms, expanding critical infrastructure, and improving access to capital.  

Her remarks underscored why platforms such as this dialogue are essential as they bring together the partners, investors and policy leaders needed to drive this collective progress. 

The Investment session was addressed by the following Executive Governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: H.E. Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna), H.E. Alh. Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), H.E. Engr. Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa); Senator Ademola Adeleke (Osun); H.E. Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau); H.E. Mohammed Umaru Bago (Niger); H.E. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah (Enugu); H.E. Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe); and H.E. Dikko Umar Radda (Katsina). 

We look forward to continuing to support initiatives that strengthen regional cooperation and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s shared prosperity. 

  • CNN Global Perspectives on November 3, 2025.
  • CNN Global Perspectives on November 3, 2025.
  • CNN Global Perspectives on November 3, 2025.
  • CNN Global Perspectives on November 3, 2025.
  • CNN Global Perspectives on November 3, 2025.

Partnerships – including between the public and private sector and across countries, with multinational organisations, suppliers and investors – are key to achieving sustainable growth in Africa. This is according to MTN Group, which was a key sponsor at CNN International’s first Global Perspectives event in London on Monday.

“We are getting to a space where, without partnership and working together – not only with our competitors, but also with other investors, with government, as well as even multilateral agencies and development fund providers – we are simply not going to be able to cover the next one billion people,” said MTN Group Vice President for Ghana and Southern and East Africa Ebenezer Asante.

He was talking about the one billion Africans who do not yet use the mobile internet and remain stuck in the voice era. The International Telecommunication Union estimates that in 2024, only 38% of Africa’s population was online, versus a global average of 68%.

By digitally including these people, and closing the usage gap, the GSMA estimates that an additional US$700 billion could be added to GDP in sub-Saharan Africa up to 2030.

“We require smart regulations,” Asante said, adding: “We require to bring the cost of deployment way lower than where it is today. That speaks to innovation, it speaks to partnership. We also require to build talent and skills.”

MTN Group is Africa’s largest mobile network, with more than 300 million subscribers. In the first half of 2025, it’s more than 63 million active Mobile Money (MoMo) users carried out more than 11 billion transactions valued at more than US$212 billion.

MTN Group Fintech CEO Serigne Dioum spoke about how fintech is enabling scalable, high-growth startup ecosystems across the continent by bridging funding gaps, formalising informal economies and catalysing a more inclusive digital marketplace across borders. He also underscored the importance of collaboration.

“Us and regulators, we have the same vision, the same objective. We want to drive financial inclusion, we want people to get more dignity,” he said as part of a panel discussion on fuelling the next-generation startup ecosystem, adding: “What is more important than financial inclusion, is for people to be independent financially.”

CNN International’s Global Perspectives: Africa event featured in-depth conversations and live interviews exploring innovation and sustainable growth, led by CNN’s journalists.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is potentially the most powerful tool for inclusive growth in Africa, but the continent is in a race against time and must act with urgency to overcome the risk of further inequality and the creation a digital underclass. This is according to the continent’s largest mobile operator MTN Group.

“We must be obsessed and paranoid about not being left behind,” MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita told The Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation (KMF) Inclusive Growth Forum over the weekend.

He said Africa’s path to inclusive AI required speedy action on six fronts.

Firstly, AI needs more abundant electricity supplies to drive economic growth. The IEA has estimated that Africa’s energy and climate-related goals by 2030 require annual investments of more than US$200 billion. The International Monetary Fund has said that all data centres combined use as much power as some of the world’s largest economies, and data centre power demand may triple by 2030.

As Africa has less than 2% of global data centre capacity, Mupita said it needs to invest heavily in digital infrastructure, beyond investment in fibre and subsea cables. The International Telecommunication Union has said that Africa needs around US$96 billion until 2030 to plug the digital infrastructure capex gap.

Thirdly, Africa needs to speed up the development of its own large language models (LLM) to power AI-driven solutions for its 1.5 billion people. There are more than 2 000 distinct African languages and Mupita said that fewer than 2% of them are supported by mainstream LLMs.

He was building on comments he made in New York in September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, when he took up a call to action from Nigeria for MTN Group to support the collection of datasets of African languages, including funding academic research into the continent’s languages.  

This followed the launch of the Nigerian Atlas for Languages & AI at Scale (N-ATLAS) – an open-source multilingual LLM designed to understand and generate Nigeria’s diverse voices and create datasets for AI solutions.

Mupita told the KMF gathering that Africa must act with urgency to develop strong digital and AI skills. “This is an opportunity to enable Africa’s rich pipeline of youth, which will make up the world’s largest workforce by 2050,” he said, adding that by 2030, there would be an estimated 230 million digital jobs in sub-Saharan Africa.

“We must ensure that new jobs and augmented jobs are greater than the jobs lost, particularly with the youth divided that Africa will have.”

Calling AI a tool to solve Africa’s unique challenges, particular in high impact sectors, Mupita said Africa needed to combine traditional AI and generative AI for the greatest value across key use cases in key sectors such as healthcare, education and agriculture.

Finally, he said if Africa was to turn its ambition into reality and create – not merely consume – AI, partnerships were essential. “To give African AI initiatives scale and joint success, governments, the private sector and civil society must partner on policy, data governance and skills development. And we must do this without delay.”