Industry News

MTN Ghana has launched Season 8 of its flagship humanitarian programme, Heroes of Change, with the overall winner set to receive GH¢400,000, double the previous GH¢200,000 prize.

Launched at MTN House in Accra as part of the company’s 30th anniversary celebrations, the programme recognises Ghanaians whose selfless efforts are transforming lives and communities.

Since its launch in 2013, Heroes of Change has recognised more than 100 individuals, while the MTN Ghana Foundation has implemented over 178 major projects impacting approximately 5 million people.

MTN’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Adwoa Wiafe, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to supporting individuals who create meaningful change in society.

The first runner-up will receive GH¢200,000, while each finalist will receive GH¢100,000. New special awards for sustainability and digital innovation, as well as recognition for nominators, have also been introduced.

MTN urged Ghanaians to nominate individuals making a difference through teaching, mentoring, healthcare, community development and other forms of service.

The initiative is being held under MTN’s 30th anniversary theme, “30 Years of Progress, Powered by You.”

SOURCE : www.myjoyonline.com

Ericsson has begun implementing a new strategy to revive Vonage, the U.S. software company it acquired for US$6.2 billion in 2022—its largest acquisition ever. The move follows years of disappointing performance, with Vonage recording a cumulative operating loss of US$450 million between 2022 and 2025 and prompting Ericsson to write down its value by more than US$4 billion. Outgoing CEO Börje Ekholm acknowledged the business has not delivered as expected and said a turnaround plan is underway, with incoming CEO Per Narvinger expected to lead the next phase.

At the heart of the strategy is network APIs, which allow developers to access telecom network capabilities and build new digital services. Ericsson originally expected Vonage to help operators generate new revenue from advanced 5G services through these APIs. While progress has been made with initiatives such as Aduna, a platform that connects telecom operators and application developers, commercial adoption has been slower than anticipated. So far, most API use cases have focused on fraud prevention and SIM verification rather than the premium 5G services Ericsson had hoped would drive significant growth.

Ericsson is now shifting its focus from consumer use cases to enterprise applications, targeting businesses that need reliable, high-quality connectivity for specific services. Instead of selling faster internet speeds, the company aims to offer solutions that guarantee network performance for business applications such as ride-hailing, logistics, and media uploads. Ericsson believes that broader enterprise adoption of network APIs could eventually create new revenue opportunities for telecom operators, strengthen demand for advanced 5G networks, and help restore confidence in its Vonage investment.

Source  : www.lightreading.com

Huawei has launched its eKit 4+10+N SME Intelligence Solutions, a new portfolio of more than 400 products designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa adopt smarter digital technologies. Unveiled at the Huawei eKit Forum during Huawei South Africa Connect 2026, the solutions cover four key areas—offices, businesses, education, and healthcare—with easy-to-deploy products that support AI-driven digital transformation. The initiative also reinforces Huawei’s partner-led approach, enabling distributors and installers to better serve SMEs.

Huawei said the distribution business is a key part of its enterprise growth strategy, backed by strong investment in innovation, with 21.8% of its revenue dedicated to research and development. The company reported that its SME networking business grew by more than 56% over the past year and introduced new products including the AR580 Secure Converged Gateway, the AR180 Wi-Fi 7 router, and the iGuard DF10, a handheld device that detects hidden cameras in offices and hotels. Huawei also highlighted a successful deployment at Vastrap Laerskool, where its Wi-Fi 7 technology and firewall solutions improved network performance and security.

The forum also showcased success stories from Huawei’s distribution partners, including Even Flow Distribution, Electrosonic SA, and Blink Logic, which said the Huawei eKit ecosystem has helped them deliver better solutions and grow their businesses. Held as part of Huawei South Africa Connect 2026, the event brought together about 2,900 government and industry leaders to discuss AI adoption and digital infrastructure. Huawei said it remains committed to supporting South African SMEs with innovative technologies, stronger partner support, and solutions that make digital transformation more accessible.

Source : iol.co.za

MTN Nigeria has achieved EDGE Advance Certification, becoming the first organisation in Africa to attain the globally recognised workplace equity certification. The milestone also makes the telecommunications operator the first company worldwide in the communication services sector and only the third organisation globally to receive the EDGE Advance distinction.

The certification builds on MTN Nigeria’s earlier EDGE MOVE Certification and recognises the company’s continued progress in advancing gender equity, strengthening workplace inclusion, and creating an environment where employees have equal opportunities to grow and succeed.

According to MTN Nigeria, the achievement reflects years of deliberate efforts to foster a more equitable and inclusive workplace through policies and practices that support diversity and employee development. The company described the certification as an independent validation of its commitment to embedding inclusion across its operations.

Despite the global recognition, MTN Nigeria said it views the achievement as another step in an ongoing journey rather than a final destination. The operator reaffirmed its commitment to raising the bar on workplace equity by creating greater opportunities for employees, promoting inclusive leadership, and driving meaningful progress for its workforce, business and the communities it serves.

The latest certification further strengthens MTN Nigeria’s position among organisations adopting globally recognised environmental, social and governance (ESG) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) standards as part of their long-term sustainability and people strategies

Telecel Ghana has rewarded three winners of its Text2Win promotion with a total of GH¢90,000 at a prize presentation held at the Madina transport station, marking the end of the first six-month cycle of the campaign.

Toufiq Ahmed Mustapha won the grand prize of GH¢50,000, while Sheriff Iddrisu Jackson received GH¢30,000 as first runner-up and Derrick Allotey Murphy took home GH¢10,000 for placing third.

The Text2Win promotion, run in partnership with digital agency Elcuto under the supervision of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), allows Telecel customers to participate by dialing *4063# and subscribing for 30 pesewas per day. Subscribers earn points by answering daily SMS trivia questions, with the highest scorers receiving cash prizes at the end of each six-month cycle.

Beyond the grand prizes, Telecel also awarded weekly cash prizes and seasonal rewards throughout the first cycle, which ran from December 2025 to May 2026.

Speaking at the event, Carlos Asare-Okoh, Propositions and Segment Manager at Telecel Ghana, said the company is increasing the cash rewards for the second cycle to encourage greater customer participation and engagement.

The National Lottery Authority also endorsed the promotion, with Marketing Officer Ida Hans-Jorie confirming that the campaign is being conducted transparently and in full compliance with regulatory standards.

The second cycle, running from June to November 2026, is now open to both new and existing Telecel customers, offering another opportunity to win cash prizes by subscribing via *4063# and answering daily trivia questions.

Source : www. ameyawdebrah.com

MTN Ghana’s Field Service Manager (Network) in Kumasi, Mr Dickson Amoung-Yam, has urged customers of the Mobile Money service to repay the loans they borrow from their accounts.

“Borrowers who take loans and refuse to pay can no longer escape because of the Ghana Card they used to register on their accounts,” he stated.

Mr Amoung-Yam gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana  News Agency on the sidelines of a media and stakeholders’ engagement organised by MTN Ghana in Sunyani.

He expressed worry that previously, some people used their SIM cards to access loans and later disposed of them for new ones to avoid repayment, warning that if such persons tried to register another SIM card, they would be detected because their details are already in the service system.

Mr Amoung-Yam encouraged all those who had borrowed money from the MoMo service to pay back on time so that other individuals could also benefit.

He reiterated that customer satisfaction drove the company’s operations and motivated MTN Ghana to do more, saying that it was because of that commitment that the company was investing heavily to guarantee customer satisfaction with services.

He said there had been no barrier to the company’s existence, adding that even farmers at their farms are now able to make calls and send messages from the forest, which was an indication that every area in Ghana was gradually being covered with signals

Mr Amoung-Yam said there were several apps that customers could access to prevent the long queues that were often mounted at MTN offices.

Source : www.graphic.com.gh

MTN Group is transforming its enterprise business, moving beyond traditional mobile and voice services towards digital infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, AI, data centres and managed networks.

Mazen Mroué, CEO of MTN Group’s digital infrastructure, said connectivity will remain the foundation of MTN Business, but future growth will increasingly come from higher-value ICT services that help businesses digitise and modernise their operations.

MTN estimates that the enterprise market could grow from approximately R391 billion in 2025 to R639 billion by 2030, creating significant opportunities for the group.

A key part of the strategy is the development of two new data centres in South Africa and Nigeria. The facilities will be designed as carrier-neutral, AI-ready platforms, allowing MTN to provide infrastructure capacity to businesses and other technology providers.

The data centres will be supported by resilient power infrastructure and connected to MTN’s extensive terrestrial and subsea fibre networks, positioning them to support growing cloud, enterprise and AI workloads.

MTN is also using AI to improve its own network operations. The group has deployed agentic AI to monitor its fibre network, using micro-vibrations to detect patterns that could indicate physical damage or disruptions.

The technology can alert technicians to potential fibre cuts before or as they occur, helping reduce the time required to diagnose and repair network faults, which previously could take around eight hours.

MTN also plans to significantly expand its African fibre footprint, targeting 420,000km to 560,000km of fibre by 2030 as it seeks to connect 100 million additional data customers.

The strategy marks a broader shift for MTN—from being primarily a connectivity provider to becoming a digital infrastructure and AI enabler for Africa’s growing digital economy.

Source : mybroadband.co.za

Huawei has unveiled 12 smart transportation solutions targeting South Africa’s rail, road, port and aviation sectors as it seeks to support the country’s move towards a more intelligent and connected transport network.

The solutions were launched at the Smart Transportation Summit, held as part of Huawei South Africa Connect 2026, under the theme Driving Mobility and Logistics into the Intelligent World.

Huawei South Africa CTO Sam Tang said the country’s transport network is critical to the economy but still faces challenges including limited real-time data sharing, port congestion and delayed maintenance.

The new solutions include four rail technologies under Huawei’s iRAIL framework, covering train communications, scheduling, station operations and maintenance. For road traffic, Huawei is introducing intelligent systems including AI-powered drones for faster incident response and adaptive traffic signal control.

For ports, Huawei’s solutions integrate operational data to improve security and efficiency, while its aviation technologies focus on faster aircraft turnaround and more efficient ground operations.

All 12 solutions are built on a common connectivity and cloud infrastructure, allowing digital capabilities to be deployed across different modes of transport.

Huawei said its transportation technologies are already used across more than 100 ports and 210 airports and airlines worldwide, alongside extensive railway and road networks.

The company said it will continue working with transport operators and partners to build a safer, faster and more connected transport ecosystem for South Africa.

Source : www.engineeringnews.co.za

Helios Towers has raised its 2026 outlook for the second time in three months, citing strong demand for telecom infrastructure across its Middle East and African markets.

The passive infrastructure provider now expects to add 3,500–4,000 new tenancies to its towers in 2026, up from its previous forecast of 3,000–3,500.

The company has also increased its adjusted EBITDA guidance by $5 million to $520–$535 million. The additional tenancies are expected to contribute more than $10 million in annualised adjusted EBITDA from 2027.

The upgraded outlook follows a strong first half of the year. Helios added 2,511 tenancies in the six months to June, bringing its total to 34,455, with a tenancy ratio of 2.26x.

Revenue rose 11% year-on-year to $466.3 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased 14% to $257 million, with the EBITDA margin improving to 55%. Profit, however, declined to $21.7 million, mainly due to non-cash foreign exchange movements.

Helios said it has a record $5.9 billion in contracted future revenues, with 98% coming from major multinational mobile operators and about 70% from investment-grade customers.

CEO Tom Greenwood said rising smartphone adoption, growing data consumption, digital services and AI applications are driving continued investment in mobile networks across Africa and the Middle East.

With strong demand, a growing tenancy pipeline and long-term contracted revenues, Helios Towers expects continued growth in its core markets.

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Source : www.telecoms.com

Telecom equipment maker Ericsson has been selected by Japan’s NTT Docomo to supply its next-generation RAN Compute platform for the operator’s mobile network, including 5G. The company said in a press release.

The AI-ready and programmable platform is based on Ericsson’s latest in-house semiconductors and is optimized for 4G, 5G and 5G Advanced. The rollout began in July.

According to Ericsson, the new platform can deliver up to twice the capacity while using less than half the energy compared with the previous generation of baseband products.

The companies will also work together on developing next-generation network architecture to address an expected increase in AI-generated data traffic.

Source : www.marketscreener.com