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No evidence of compromise to any of our critical infrastructure, core MTN platforms or services

MTN Group would like to inform stakeholders that it has experienced a cybersecurity incident that resulted in unauthorised access to personal information of some MTN customers in certain markets. Our core network, billing systems and financial services infrastructure remain secure and fully operational.

An unknown third-party has claimed to have accessed data linked to parts of our systems. At this stage we do not have any information to suggest that customers’ accounts and wallets have been directly compromised.

The Group immediately activated its cybersecurity response processes including informing the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Hawks in South Africa.

We also informed the relevant country authorities and will continue to update them on an ongoing basis while working closely with them and law enforcement agencies in supporting their investigations.

We are in the process of notifying affected customers in compliance with local legal and regulatory obligations.

As a reminder, customers are encouraged to remain vigilant and follow regular security measures, such as:

The privacy of information is our top priority and MTN remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of our systems and the trust placed in us by our customers and other stakeholders. We will continue to contain and manage this matter carefully.

MTN Group, Africa’s leading mobile network operator, has entered a strategic partnership with Synamedia, a leading video software provider, to develop a new streaming platform tailored for mobile and fixed broadband subscribers across Africa. This collaboration aims to enhance digital content accessibility and provide a diverse range of viewing options to meet the evolving preferences of audiences throughout the continent.

The service will leverage Synamedia’s advanced, cloud-based technologies to deliver both linear television and video-on-demand content.  The platform will offer diverse monetisation models, including subscriptions, ad-supported content, and free streaming channels with targeted advertising. Each market will benefit from a curated content strategy, thoughtfully adapted to local cultures, languages, and viewing habits – ensuring deep relevance and strong audience resonance across the continent. 

Synamedia’s technology will play a key role in shaping the platform, enabling seamless content management and personalised recommendations. With Synamedia’s integration expertise, the platform will be built for reliability and scalability.

Selorm Adadevoh, Group Chief Commercial Officer at MTN Group, said, “We see a unique opportunity to transform video consumption in Africa with high-quality, accessible, and relevant content. This partnership enables us to leverage cutting-edge technology and deep customer insights to enhance entertainment experiences and drive digital inclusion.”

Paul Segre, Synamedia CEO, said, “Thanks to MTN’s leadership and innovation, smartphone owners across Africa will be able to enjoy innovative linear TV and on-demand video. By taking advantage of the breadth of our integrated, cloud-based portfolio to quickly deploy new services at scale, MTN will be able to create a groundbreaking set of offerings for customers and viewers that will drive new revenues.”

This collaboration underscores MTN Group and Synamedia’s shared commitment to advancing digital inclusion and enhancing access to quality content across Africa. By leveraging innovative technologies and a localised approach, this partnership is poised to create a service that brings value to audiences and contributes to the development of the continent’s digital ecosystem. With this strategic alignment, MTN and Synamedia are taking meaningful steps toward empowering communities, driving industry progress, and shaping the future of entertainment in Africa.

GSMA Board names new Deputy Chair to serve until end of 2026

The GSMA Board of Directors has elected Ralph Mupita as Deputy Chair for the remainder of the Board term, until the end of 2026. In this role, he will support the Chair and Board in overseeing the strategic direction of the organisation, which represents the world’s mobile operators and companies in the broader mobile ecosystem.

“This appointment is a great honour as it comes at a time of rapid developments in technology and increasing digital adoption across Africa. Mobile technology will play a critical part in addressing the pressing challenges facing our communities and unlocking the full potential of Africa and the rest of the Global South, ensuring that no one is left behind in this journey toward a more connected future,” Mr Mupita said.

“I am committed to supporting the strategic direction of the GSMA, which plays a pivotal role in representing the global mobile ecosystem. Together, we will continue to drive innovation and positive change in the industry,” he added.

Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, commented: “My warmest congratulations to Mr Mupita on being elected as the Deputy Chair of the GSMA Board. His experience will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the dynamic landscape of our industry. I look forward to working closely with him and the Board.”

Mr Mupita is the Group President and CEO of MTN Group, a position he has held since September 2020, after previously serving as MTN Group’s Chief Financial Officer from April 2017. Since joining MTN, he has helped strengthen the Group’s financial position and strategy formulation and overseen the successful listing of MTN subsidiaries in Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda.

Prior to joining MTN, Mr Mupita was CEO for Old Mutual Emerging Markets, providing financial service solutions to individuals and corporates across 19 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. He holds a BSc. Engineering (Hons) and MBA from the University of Cape Town and has completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Read accompanying release here.

As part of MTN Group’s ambition to lead in the provision of reliable, high-quality home broadband services, the company is pleased to announce the elevation of Group Home into a dedicated business function within Group Commercial. To lead this strategic focus area, Ankur Bajpai has been appointed Executive: Group Home Broadband, effective 1 April 2025.

This move reinforces MTN’s commitment to strengthening its position in the broadband market by ensuring executional focus, accelerating innovation, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. The dedicated function will play a critical role in driving market penetration while achieving sustainable growth through operational excellence.

Ankur brings over 21 years of experience in business strategy and advanced analytics, with extensive expertise in the telecommunications sector. For the past seven years, he has been an integral part of MTN Group, contributing significantly to its growth and innovation efforts.

Throughout his career, Ankur has worked across three continents and travelled to over 80 countries, giving him a rich global perspective. Before joining MTN, he held leadership roles at Etisalat Group, including Director of Commercial Intelligence across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East and Assistant Vice President for Corporate Marketing at Etisalat DB. He also held key roles at Idea Cellular and Reliance Communications.

Ankur holds an MBA in Strategic Management and Managerial Finance from Cardiff Business School in Wales and an Advanced Diploma in Web-Centric Curriculum from the National Institute of Information Technology in India.

As Executive Group Home Broadband, Ankur will lead the development and execution of MTN’s home broadband strategy, with a strong focus on Fibre to the Home (FTTH) and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions.

“We are excited to see Ankur take on this role at a time when home connectivity is more critical than ever. His leadership will help us bring practical, high-quality solutions to more households across our markets. I’m looking forward to working with him on this journey,” said Selorm Adadevoh, Group Chief Commercial Officer.

Please join us in congratulating Ankur on his new appointment and wishing him continued success as he leads the next chapter of MTN’s home broadband journey.

Driven to extend digital and financial inclusion across Africa, MTN Group and Airtel Africa have entered into agreements to share network infrastructure in Uganda and Nigeria, while ensuring compliance with local regulatory and statutory requirements.

These sharing agreements target improved network cost efficiencies, expanded coverage and the provision of enhanced mobile services to millions of customers, particularly those in remote and rural areas who do not yet fully enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life.

MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita said operators on the continent were seeing sustained demand for data services: “As MTN, we are driven by the vision of delivering digital solutions that drive Africa’s progress. We continue to see strong structural demand for digital and financial services across our markets. To meet this demand, we continue to invest in coverage and capacity to ensure high-quality connectivity for our customers. That said, there are opportunities within regulatory frameworks for sharing resources to drive higher efficiencies and improve returns.”

Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar said: “As we compete fiercely in the market on the strength of our brand, services and our offerings we are building common infrastructure, with in the permissible regulatory framework, to provide a more robust and extensive digital highway to drive digital and financial inclusion at the same time avoiding duplication of expensive infrastructure to drive operational efficiencies and benefits for our customers”.

The initiative is part of a growing global trend toward network sharing. By collaborating, telecoms operators can explore innovative and pro-competitive solutions to improve service quality while managing costs more effectively. The sharing of infrastructure has the potential to enable the delivery of world-class, reliable mobile services to more and more customers across Africa.

Following the conclusion of agreements in Uganda and Nigeria, MTN and Airtel Africa are exploring various opportunities in other markets, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda and Zambia. Among the types of agreements considered are RAN sharing and those aimed at establishing commercial and technical agreements for fibre infrastructure sharing and, if necessary, the construction of fibre networks.

MTN Group and Airtel Africa are dedicated to working with other mobile operators within the countries in which they have a presence to achieve the advantages of network sharing. Throughout this process, the parties will continue to function as independent market entities and will compete freely in shared markets. This engagement does not preclude the parties from collaborating with other operators in any respective market.

MTN Group on Monday reported a solid underlying operational and financial performance for 2024 – and a particularly strong second half. This strong performance was affected by a sharp drop in the value of the currency of one of our largest markets, Nigeria; and impairments in conflict-hit Sudan

This meant that even though the Group’s service revenue and earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITDA) in constant-currency terms grew by around 14% and 10% respectively, they were negatively affected in reported rand terms.

In the year to 31 December 2024, service revenue of R178 billion was down by some 15% in reported terms, and reported EBITDA (before once-off items) of R60 billion was a third lower than it was in 2023. Basic earnings per share swung by 758 cents in 2024 to a loss of 531 cents.

Adjusted headline earnings per share (HEPS) decreased by 32% to 816 cents, impacted mainly by the sharp devaluation in the naira. With a relatively more stable naira in the second half of 2024 and stronger results from MTN South Africa, second half adjusted HEPS showed strong momentum.

The Board of Directors declared a dividend of 345 cents a share (up from 330 cents in 2023) as the Group reported strong commercial momentum and maintained its guidance over the medium term. The Board, further, anticipates paying a minimum ordinary dividend of 370cps for the 2025 financial year.

We serve 291 million subscribers in 16 markets and progressed key strategic priorities and sustained a healthy financial position as well as balance sheet flexibility in 2024.

“Alongside execution of our commercial strategies, our continued capital investment of R30 billion to strengthen the quality and capacity of our networks enabled us to capture the opportunities in data and fintech across our markets,” said Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita, adding that data traffic accelerated by a third, as data subscribers grew by 8% to 158 million active users.

The volume of fintech transactions on MTN’s networks rose by 15% to more than 20 billion valued at over US$320 billion, while the number of active Mobile Money (MoMo) users rose by just less than 1% to 63 million, slowed by initiatives in key fintech markets to enhance the quality, stickiness and profitability of our overall fintech ecosystem.

Data revenue decreased by 12% on a reported basis, but increased by almost 22% in constant-currency terms. Fintech revenue increased by 11% on a reported basis, but by almost 29% in constant currency. As part of our expense efficiency programme (EEP), we realised sustainable savings of R3.8 billion in 2024.

Performance was underpinned by adhering to disciplined capital allocation as well as expense efficiencies. We are well on track to achieve our EEP target of R7-8 billion between 2024 and 2026.

MTN South Africa sustained a resilient overall performance, with service revenue growth of 3.1% to R43.2 billion for the year, underpinned by improved network availability and commercial initiatives. In the latter part of the year, the business delivered some encouraging acceleration in key commercial metrics, with prepaid data revenue returning to growth from November.

MTN Group advanced the execution of our key strategic initiatives in the year. These included the signing of definitive agreements with Mastercard for a minority investment into the Group Fintech structure, as well as the disposal of MTN Afghanistan, MTN Guinea-Bissau and MTN Guinea-Conakry, which further enhanced the Group’s focus and risk profile.

In Nigeria, we renegotiated tower lease contracts, which allow MTN Nigeria to better manage adverse macroeconomic impacts on the business. In Ghana and Uganda, we increased local ownership in our operations. In South Africa, we extended the MTN Zakhele Futhi broad-based black economic empowerment transaction.

“This underscores our dedication to transformation and creating shared value and remains integral to our future success,” Mupita said of the Group that celebrated 30 years of operations in 2024.

Other shared value wins included further reductions in the Group’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions as well as widening access to broadband internet access to cover 93% of the population in our markets. Advancing broadband in rural and remote areas is critical to our work to extend digital and financial inclusion across Africa.

In terms of our economic value-added to the communities we serve, MTN contributed approximately R155 billion in the year, including around R206 million in corporate social investment programmes across our host nations.

Looking ahead, Mupita said although there remained some macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties in the near term, he was encouraged by trends in various indicators. These included inflation (which showed signs of abating in the second half of 2024), reduced forex volatility (particularly of the naira), as well as the tariff adjustments in Nigeria which we started to implement in February 2025. These prompted MTN Nigeria to re-instate its medium-term guidance.

“MTN Group is well positioned to capture the exciting opportunities in our markets and deliver on our medium-term objectives to sustain growth, create shared value in nation states and communities, and unlock value for our stakeholders,” he said.

SENS: https://irhosted.profiledata.co.za/mtngroup/2019_feeds/SensPopUp.aspx?id=507535

New contract expands Network International’s growing portfolio of issuer processing collaborations in the African continent

Network International (Network), a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has been appointed as a Payment Processor – Issuing partner for MTN Group Fintech, Africa’s leading mobile financial services provider. This partnership marks a significant extension of Network’s portfolio of issuer processing collaborations throughout the African continent.

With a footprint spanning over 50 countries and serving over 250 financial institutions, Network International brings its expertise to this partnership which will enhance MTN Fintech’s cutting-edge mobile services and provide even greater value to stakeholders and customers across Africa.

The partnership will focus on rolling out card issuance products across key MTN Fintech markets, starting with Rwanda which is already operational. Soon   Uganda, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria will also be covered under this collaboration.  Network International will provide a comprehensive range of services, including transaction processing, card management and online fraud prevention. MTN Fintech users will benefit from a seamless experience accessing both traditional mobile services and innovative digital payment solutions.

Dr. Reda Helal, Group Managing Director – Processing, Africa and Co-Head Group Processing at Network International commented: “Our collaboration with MTN Group Fintech marks a major milestone for our outsourced payments services in Africa. It demonstrates our ability to successfully serve Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) via our fully-fledged processing solutions and our continued dedication and commitment to the African region. We are excited to support MTN Group Fintech’s growth strategy, and its business development plans across the continent.”

Cedric N’guessan, Executive for Payment and E-commerce at MTN Group Fintech added, “This collaboration with Network International is pivotal in enhancing financial inclusion across Africa and beyond. It enables our customers to actively engage in the global economy, aligning perfectly with our strategic goals alongside Mastercard to broaden access to digital financial services across the continent.” Read More

MTN Group provides voice, data, fintech, enterprise wholesale and API services to more than 288 million customers in 16 African markets. 

MTN Group Limited (“MTN”) announces the conclusion of the sale of its operations in Guinea (also known as “MTN Guinea-Conakry”), to the State of Guinea, on 30 December 2024. This transaction aligns with MTN’s focus on portfolio optimization and simplification, as part of the Ambition 2025 strategy.

MTN Group President and CEO, Ralph Mupita, stated: “This milestone marks a new phase for MTN Guinea-Conakry under local ownership, and MTN thanks the staff, customers, regulators and broader stakeholders in Guinea for the support during the time MTN has been operational in the country. Concluding this transaction is in line with the strategy to simplify the portfolio and allocating capital to markets where we can make a difference as MTN and deliver long-term growth and returns.”

The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, MTN Group Fintech and Arifu have partnered to support about one million small businesses in Côte’ D’Ivoire and Uganda, to digitize their operations, increase the use of digital financial services and access digital marketplaces through the MoMo Coach chatbot. This program, part of the Center’s global Mastercard Strive initiative, aims to enhance the resilience and growth of small businesses by providing essential digital skills. It is one of the ways Mastercard Strive has disseminated chatbot-ready business building content for small businesses in the region, which is currently also available in Kenya and Nigeria.

Small businesses in sub-Saharan Africa, especially those impacted by the pandemic, have faced significant barriers in adopting digital tools. As of December 2022, only 27.65% of businesses in sub-Saharan Africa had adopted digital tools to enhance their efficiency, showing a slight improvement from 19.44% in August 2020. A lack of relevant skills continues to limit their growth and access to essential financial services. MoMo Coach addresses these gaps by providing free, accessible upskilling content via popular messaging platforms.

Supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and delivered by Caribou Digital, this program equips small businesses with digital skills, enabling them to adopt digital tools, access capital, and engage more effectively in digital marketplaces. The program aligns with Mastercard Strive’s broader goal of reaching 18 million small businesses around the world and enabling them to go digital, get capital, and access networks and know-how.

“Small businesses are vital to Africa’s growth and create opportunities for a more resilient and inclusive regional economy. We are delighted to catalyze a partnership between MTN Group Fintech and Arifu to equip almost one million small business owners with the digital skills and knowledge essential for thriving in an increasingly digital economy, setting them up for success.” said Subhashini Chandran, Senior Vice President of Social Impact for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth.

The MoMo Coach solution, powered by Arifu’s Grasp Platform, uses mobile messaging to deliver micro-learning experiences. It is accessible across multiple channels, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, SMS and MoMo. This gives small business owners and entrepreneurs flexibility in accessing practical, actionable tips to unlock growth opportunities in the digital economy.

Serigne Dioum, CEO of MTN Group Fintech, further adds: “Empowering small businesses with digital skills is key to driving inclusive growth in Africa. Through MoMo Coach, we are unlocking opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive in the digital economy, strengthening communities, and shaping the future of business across the continent.”

The program has been rolled out in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda, reaching over 930,000 MTN customers, merchants, and agents, with more than 75,000 small business owners accessing free digital courses and over 45,000 actively engaging with MoMo Coach. Courses offered include “How to Start Your Business,” “Money Management,” and “Grow and Secure Your Business.” These courses are based on insights derived from MoMo merchants and agents, and they address key challenges like affordability and access to relevant business knowledge—enabling small business owners to navigate the digital landscape.

Aminata, a 31-year-old business owner from Gôh-Djiboua, Côte d’Ivoire, is one of the many beneficiaries of MoMo Coach. Selling shoes and clothing since 2022, she says: “There’s a lot of competition, but MoMo Coach helps me sell better. Before, I used all my profits to buy new stock, which left me using my capital for expenses. Now, I split my profits: one part for business growth, another for expenses, and some savings for other projects.” She has also started using WhatsApp to increase her sales, noting: “My income has increased. When I post my goods, I sell more.”

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.