MTN Group has announced the winners of the 2023 Y’ello Care Awards, recognising the work done by more than 5 000 MTN volunteers across our operations to nurture grassroot entrepreneurs during the annual ‘21 Days of Y’ello Care’ campaign.

Y’ello Care is an opportunity for MTN employees to volunteer their time and resources to support their communities. The Y’ello Care Awards showcase the power of collective effort and affirm MTN’s role as a catalyst for positive change and inclusive growth in Africa.

MTN Uganda was named the overall winner of the 2023 campaign, themed “Empowering entrepreneurs to unlock growth and job creation for communities”. This theme was chosen because of the role that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play in driving economic development, particularly in Africa, where they contribute up to 45% of employment and 33% of GDP[1].

“At MTN, we know that real progress is made through collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to empowering others,” MTN Group Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer Nompilo Morafo said.“The Y’ello Care Awards are a celebration of this and a tribute to the dedication of our employees who volunteer their time and expertise to make a positive difference.”

In line with MTN’s strategic intent of ‘leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress’, MTN Uganda provided tech infrastructure, connectivity, and training to SMEs to enhance digital and financial literacy and equip entrepreneurs with the skills they need to navigate the digital marketplace.

MTN Cameroon won the West and Central Africa (WECA) region award for its work to empower female entrepreneurs and people with disabilities. Key initiatives included workshops, the provision of adapted co-working spaces, and assistive technologies. These efforts were aimed at creating an inclusive environment conducive to business growth.

MTN Eswatini received the Southern and East Africa (SEA) region award for a five-project campaign, including the ‘Trash to Treasure’ initiative focusing on waste management and entrepreneurship training for disadvantaged youth, and a greenhouse project supporting women farmers.

MTN Sudan scooped the special recognition award for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, acknowledging the operation’s commitment to maintaining connectivity for communities even under challenging circumstances. Sudan remains home to the largest child displacement crisis in the world, with over three million children fleeing the war. MTN Sudan’s connectivity centres are playing an instrumental role in supporting child-friendly safe learning spaces.

MTN’s commitment to supporting SMEs extends beyond our dedicated 21 days of Y’ello Care initiative to a broader strategy to empower businesses through technology and connectivity solutions. Recognising the critical role we play in an increasingly hyper-connected world, MTN leverages our Enterprise Business to cater to the evolving communication and ICT needs of SMEs.

Whether its equipping entrepreneurs with the latest technologies, supporting women-led businesses, or fostering sustainable agriculture practices, MTN’s support goes beyond connectivity. It’s about building relationships, understanding needs and offering tailored solutions that empower businesses to chart their own course.

Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our commitment to social responsibility, hand-in-hand with communities, as we build a more prosperous and equitable future for Africa.

[1] World Bank, 2020