MTN Group and major subsidiary MTN South Africa (MTN SA) each retained a Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) contributor status in 2023, for the fourth and fifth years in a row respectively.

“We recognise that our success is intertwined with the success of local businesses and people in the markets in which we operate,” said MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita after the release of MTN’s annual B-BBEE compliance report. “We work to make a tangible contribution towards the growth of local enterprises, driving job creation and fostering economic resilience.”

Notable improvements in the year were recorded in the categories of Management Control and Skills Development. The gains in Management Control reflect our work to promote equality in the workplace, creating a gender-inclusive environment and reflecting fair representation of South Africa’s demographics.

Despite the tough macroeconomic environment, MTN continued to drive skills development to meet growing demand for critical and specialised skills in the ICT sector and the economy at large. We increased spending on skills development for people living with disabilities and continued to provide opportunities for unemployed learners.

Over the years, MTN has consistently prioritised the upliftment of previously disadvantaged individuals through our socio-economic development initiatives. Through the MTN Online School and MTN Skills Academy programmes, we have created an even broader enabling environment for disadvantaged individuals. More than 700 000 learners have accessed the MTN Online School platform, offering digital curriculum-aligned educational content for Grades R to 12. More than 900 unemployed youth have received training in digital skills programmes ranging from digital marketing and e-commerce to data science-related short courses.

To meet MTN Group’s strategic priority to create shared value, MTN SA launched the Xlerator enterprise and supplier development programme in September 2023. It aims to transform MTN SA’s supply chain by creating a platform for the growth of Black-owned suppliers through financial, developmental and training support.

“As a significant player in the sector, we recognise our responsibility to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth,” said MTN SA CEO Charles Molapisi. “Black-owned businesses are integral to the development of South Africa’s economy. Programmes like Xlerator make available more than R2.6 billion in financial support through MTN SA-enabled finance ecosystem partners.”

As we celebrate 30 years of connecting people, over the years we at MTN, have transformed our supply chain by affording more opportunities to Black-owned SMMEs, increasing spend (which is independently verified in terms of the Codes of Good Practice) with targeted suppliers, as follows:

• >51% Black-Owned vendors – from R3.5bn in 2016 to R6.5bn in 2023;
• 30% Black Women-Owned vendors – from R9.2bn in 2016 to R14.2bn in 2023;
• ¹EMEs – from R326m in 2016 to R785m in 2023;
• ²QSEs – from R1.2bn in 2016 to R1.8bn in 2023; and
• ³Designated Groups – from zero in 2016 to R1bn in 2023.

*Notes:
1.EME: Exempted Micro Enterprise: an enterprise with an annual turnover of R10m or less; and
2.QSE: Qualifying Small Enterprise: an enterprise with an annual turnover of between R10m and R50m
3.Designated groups: comprise: Black People living with Disabilities, Black people living in rural areas and Black military veterans) including Black Youth;