“I am not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me.”
This powerful quote from Kwame Nkrumah, the first prime minister of a post-colonial
African nation, reminds us of the fundamental cultural connection of being African.
At MTN, we celebrate Africa Day as a pan-African company both born on the
continent and one that is inherently African.
We are a diverse group that serves a quarter of a billion customers – from families
and friends to communities and business – across this vast continent we call home.
We employ 15 000 people, representing 74 different nationalities and ethnicities in
19 markets. Of the 1 730 people who joined MTN and our subsidiaries in 2025, 87%
were local – they were employed in the countries from which they originate.
“Our Pan-African roots run deep, and today we are humbled and proud to
acknowledge these,” says MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita. “Our
continent has enormous potential, and we are committed to helping unlock this
through our networks and platforms.”
MTN’s purpose is leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.
“The unity of Africans is the strongest foundation off which to secure a prosperous
future for Africa’s youth, who will represent the world’s largest workforce by 2040,” he
says, adding that the continent has much to gain from this demographic dividend.
MTN’s three-decade history is one of significant investment in people, technology
and infrastructure. We are humbled to help create opportunities and economic value.
In 2025, we generated a massive R150 billion in economic value-added across our
continent, where our total tax contribution was R61.1 billion – more than the GDP of
some small countries.
Our capital expenditure of R38.5 billion in 2025 reflects the sustained investment in
the physical and digital assets that underpin connectivity. Investing at scale helps
develop durable national infrastructure, building national digital backbones. Through
the distribution of dividends to the shareholders – including pension funds – of MTN
Group and our subsidiaries across our markets, we unlock value for millions.
As part of our commitment to being a good corporate citizen, we also make
significant corporate social investments. In 2025, these totalled R269 million,
benefiting 2.3 million people, most of them youth.
We believe in the power of technology to uplift communities, empowering the next
generation of African leaders. We embed local participation across employment,
ownership and procurement. This includes investing in skills development and
supporting the growth of local businesses, ensuring economic value is retained and
multiplied within host economies.
“Our success is irrevocably tied to the progress of the nations we serve. Together, we
create jobs, develop local suppliers, build digital skills and support essential services
like education, healthcare and infrastructure,” says Mupita, adding that MTN’s listings
on the stock markets in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda are critical levers in
MTN’s localisation and value-creation journey.
“We’ve made it our goal to drive digital and financial inclusion, giving the people in the
communities we serve dignity, hope and opportunity. Africa needs to chart and
champion her own growth. It is up to us all to unlock Africa’s boundless potential.”
Looking ahead, Africa’s future will be defined by what we choose to build together.
When Africans act with greater unity, shared purpose and collective resolve, we lay
the foundation for the Africa we want: more inclusive, more resilient and more
prosperous.
Ours is the youngest continent on earth, and within that youthful energy lies one of
our greatest opportunities. If we invest with intent in education, skills,
entrepreneurship and meaningful work, we can turn this demographic reality into a
lasting dividend for generations to come.
Digital technology will be one of the great catalysts of that future. By connecting more
people, expanding access to financial services, education, healthcare and markets,
and giving young innovators the tools to solve African challenges with African insight,
technology can help unlock progress at scale.
With sustained investment in digital infrastructure, digital skills and trusted
platforms, we can help build a continent that is more connected, more competitive,
and full of possibility – a confident Africa, shaping its own destiny in the digital age.
We invite you to share your voice here about what Africa means to you. You can also
upload a photo to generate a personalised Africa Day image to share.