Industry News

MTN said that it would welcome any return to stability that supports the regional business landscape in the Middle East in the wake of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.

This followed news that the United States had signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran as a precursor to peace negotiations, and reports of a positive first day of negotiations.

Crucially, one of the stipulations of the memorandum was the U.S. terminating all sanctions against Iran, which would pave the way for MTN to exit its stake in Irancell.

Since 2020, MTN’s strategy has been to exit the Middle East entirely. It has already divested its stakes in mobile operators in Syria, Afghanistan, and Yemen.

However, it said it has been unable to sell its stake in Irancell due to U.S. sanctions. It has been placed in a position where it must either abandon the business or hope for better days.

“You cannot take money in, and you cannot take money out,” MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita has said, adding that the company’s investment in Iran was “a frozen asset”.

As a result of sanctions imposed by the United States on 20 September 2019, MTN can’t access R2.3 billion that is effectively frozen in its Iranian business.

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on Iran’s Central Bank for allegedly funding terrorist organisations.

“Iran’s Central Bank has provided billions of dollars to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), its Qods Force (IRGC-QF), and its terrorist proxy, Hezbollah,” it stated.

At the time, OFAC had imposed the sanctions on the central bank after the country conducted military strikes on Saudi Arabia, a major U.S. partner.

“Iran’s brazen attack against Saudi Arabia is unacceptable,” OFAC said. “Treasury’s action targets a crucial funding mechanism that the Iranian regime uses to support its terrorist network.”

This pressure has made MTN’s 49% stake in Irancell one of its most challenging international business ventures.

Making matters worse for MTN is the uncertainty that, when the sanctions are lifted, there will be any money left in Irancell to take.

Since 2025, the Iranian Rial has weakened significantly against the U.S. dollar by as much as 45%. One U.S. dollar traded for as much as 1.6 million rials.

Iran is facing a systemic economic crisis amid continued conflict with Israel and the United States, and MTN was forced to watch its investment go up in flames.

In the results, the telecom stated that outstanding receivables from Iran amounted to R2.8 billion in 2024, indicating a near R500 million loss in value as of December 2025 — before the recent escalation.

This amount is likely to continue decreasing, despite Irancell’s ongoing operations. A point reflected in the latest results: MTN’s share of earnings in Irancell dropped 32% from the year prior to R3.2 billion.

Some good news for MTN came in paragraph 7 of the memorandum of understanding signed between the U.S. and Iran. It is reproduced verbatim below.

Michael Crowley, White House correspondent for The New York Times, said relief from crushing economic sanctions may be the only thing that can persuade Iran to surrender its nuclear programme.

Crowley wrote that this was the basis for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which traded sanctions relief for strict caps on Iran’s nuclear activity.

“Those caps were limited to a maximum of 15 years, however, and U.S. President Donald Trump says he wants much longer — or even permanent — constraints on Tehran’s nuclear programme.”

However, Crowley said a big challenge would be determining the “agreed-upon schedule” that establishes what sanctions the United States will remove, and when, as Iran fulfils its nuclear commitments.

“That will likely mean a gradual process in which the two mistrustful sides take alternating incremental steps.”

When MyBroadband asked MTN for comment about the memorandum and U.S.–Iran negotiations, it declined to speculate what a deal would mean for the company.

“As you know, since 2006, MTN Group has held a 49% investment in Irancell, which is not under MTN’s operational control,” it said.

“We would welcome any return to stability that supports the regional business landscape. We currently have no staff on the ground and continue monitoring developments.”

Source : www. mybroadband.co.za

She assumes the role after serving as General Manager, Architecture and Engineering, a position she held since July 2019.

MTN Nigeria has appointed Bukola Ajayi as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO), promoting a long-serving technology executive with more than two decades of experience at the telecommunications operator.

Ajayi succeeds Shoyinka Shodunke, who has served as CIO since 2021. She assumes the role after serving as General Manager, Architecture and Engineering, a position she held since July 2019.

The appointment underscores MTN Nigeria’s continued emphasis on developing and promoting talent from within its ranks, particularly for strategic leadership positions.

Ajayi brings more than 20 years of experience within MTN, having held several leadership roles across information systems, enterprise operations, solution delivery, and product development.

Prior to leading Architecture and Engineering, she served as Senior Manager for Enterprise and Customer Experience Operations, where she oversaw critical business systems including enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), billing platforms, mediation systems, reporting, number management, and voucher provisioning.

She also previously served as Senior Manager in the Information Systems Group and as Solution Delivery and Product Development Manager, building extensive experience in enterprise technology, systems integration, and digital service delivery.

In her new role, Ajayi will oversee the information systems infrastructure that supports MTN Nigeria’s operations, including enterprise applications, customer platforms, billing systems, data management, and digital service delivery.

Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Ajayi is a recognised advocate for women in technology and digital skills development. She was named among MTN’s “27 Leading Nigerian Women in ICT” and has spoken at various industry forums, including events organised by the Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT) network.

She has consistently championed mentorship, technology skills development, and the advancement of women into leadership roles within the technology sector.

MTN Nigeria, the largest mobile network operator in the country, is listed on the Nigerian Exchange and is led by Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola. The company serves millions of subscribers and remains one of the largest operating businesses within the MTN Group.

Ajayi’s appointment places her among the most influential technology executives in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, with responsibility for the systems and platforms that underpin the company’s consumer and enterprise services.

Source : www. cioafrica.co

Telecel Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to bolstering partnerships with its cash agent network across the Ashanti Region at a regional forum held at the Kejetia Market Square in Kumasi.

Organised as part of Telecel’s Ashanti Month 2026 celebrations, the Telecel Cash Agent Forum brought together over 300 agents, traders, and sales partners from across the region for direct engagement with Telecel’s leadership on product updates, revenue growth opportunities, service improvement, and strengthening trust in the mobile money ecosystem.

Speaking at the gathering, the Executive Head for Ashanti and Brong Ahafo at Telecel Ghana, Kwaku Asiedu, said the cash agent network is central to the business, and their welfare and growth remain a priority.

“Our agents are critical partners and their growth is directly tied to the success of our business. We are committed to addressing their challenges and improving the systems they depend on to deliver service to our clients,” Asiedu said.

The forum was designed as a working session with agents interacting openly with executives, sharing operational feedback, and receiving on-the-spot responses to several queries on liquidity, transactions, and service reliability.

Telecel Cash’s Business Development Manager, Foster Asare, briefed agents on banking partnerships and provided training on fraud prevention and cybersecurity practices. He stressed that protecting agents from fraud is central to sustaining their livelihoods.

“As we expand partnerships with banks and deepen our digital offerings, we must also protect the people who make the system work, which includes our agent network. Security and trust are essential to improving our agents’ income and well-being as well as customer confidence,” Asare added.

Agents also received detailed briefings on the Telecel Loyalty Promotion mechanics and upcoming product offerings designed to increase transaction volumes and improve earning margins.

Philip Osei Marfo, the Zonal Sales Manager, said, “Our agents understand the customers better than anyone because they interface with them every day. Through this forum, we are equipping them with relevant product information and ensuring that the challenges they face in the field are addressed and resolved quickly.”

The response from agents was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the forum as one of the most direct and practical engagements they have had with the telco. Several participants urged Telecel to institutionalise the forum as a regular engagement platform.

Market traders at Kejetia, who witnessed parts of the engagement, welcomed the decision to bring the telco’s leadership into the marketplace, saying it reflected a more responsive approach to agent relations and strengthened their confidence in the business.

The Telecel Cash Agent Forum reinforced the role of partner-agents as critical drivers of financial inclusion across Ghana’s informal economy, where mobile money services remain a key bridge between banking systems and everyday transactions.

Telecel Ghana said the cash agent forum at the Kejetia Market Square forms part of its broader Ashanti Month 2026 programme this June, which combines business engagement, headlining the Asantehene Golf Open Tournament, community health and digital skills training initiatives, and customer appreciation activities across the region.

Source: www.citinewsroom.com

The report shows that 53% of mobile subscriptions in the GCC were already on 5G networks by the end of 2025, giving the region the fourth-highest 5G penetration globally behind North America, North East Asia and Western Europe.

Gulf Cooperation Council countries are emerging as one of the world’s leading candidates for early 6G adoption, driven by rapid 5G penetration, advanced network deployments and strong consumer demand for digital services, according to the Ericsson Mobility Report.

The report shows that 53% of mobile subscriptions in the GCC were already on 5G networks by the end of 2025, giving the region the fourth-highest 5G penetration globally behind North America, North East Asia and Western Europe. Ericsson forecasts that GCC 5G penetration will climb to just under 90% by 2031, placing the region among the world’s most connected mobile markets. This high level of 5G adoption is one of the key reasons Ericsson expects the GCC to be among the earliest regions to launch commercial 6G services around 2030.

Ericsson noted that the first commercial 6G launches are expected in markets that adopted 5G early, specifically naming the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and the GCC countries as likely frontrunners. The company said 6G standardization work is already underway, with the first implementable specifications targeted for completion by late 2028 or early 2029.

The GCC’s readiness extends beyond consumer subscriptions. Ericsson highlighted the region’s high urbanization levels, strong consumer spending power and extensive 5G standalone (SA) deployments as factors enabling advanced services such as network slicing, AI-powered applications and premium fixed wireless access (FWA). The report also identified the GCC as one of the world’s strongest 5G FWA markets, alongside North America and the Nordics, reflecting both mature 5G infrastructure and effective monetization strategies.

Ericsson believes 6G will build on the foundations created by 5G SA, adding capabilities such as AI-native networking, integrated sensing and communications, tighter satellite integration and more energy-efficient network architectures. These technologies are expected to support future services including autonomous mobility, large-scale digital twins and immersive mixed-reality applications.

For the Gulf region, the report suggests that the combination of early 5G adoption, aggressive digital transformation programs and continued investment in advanced mobile infrastructure could allow GCC countries to play a leading role in shaping the next generation of global telecommunications.

Source : www. techafricanews.com

MTN Ghana has launched a nationwide initiative to refurbish 3,000 hospital beds and improve healthcare infrastructure as part of its annual 21 Days of Yellow Care activities.

The exercise being done in partnership with DOSH Health Insurance is also to provide GH¢1 million in medical support for discharged patients unable to settle their hospital bills.

Speaking at the Maamobi General Hospital in Accra yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Mr Stephen Blewett, said the initiative reflected the company’s commitment to giving back to society through hands-on community service.

He said more than 1,700 hospital beds had already been refurbished, with the remaining beds expected to be completed in selected hospitals across the country.

The exercise includes repainting beds, repairing damaged mechanical parts, replacing worn-out components, and refurbishing hospital furniture to improve patient comfort and healthcare delivery.

Mr Blewett urged other corporate organisations to support the country’s healthcare system through similar interventions, noting that collaborative efforts would help improve hospital infrastructure and reduce the burden on health facilities.

He added that MTN would continue to invest in healthcare innovation, including the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence, to complement efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Ghana.

The CEO said MTN had also partnered with DOSH Health Insurance to assist discharged patients who remained in the hospital because they could not afford to pay their medical bills.

The Head of Sales and Marketing of DOSH Health Insurance, Ms Belinda Amoo, said the partnership would provide GH¢1 million in health insurance support for about 100 beneficiaries across selected hospitals nationwide.

According to her, beneficiaries would not only have their outstanding medical bills settled but would also receive one-year health insurance coverage to cater to future medical visits and reviews.

She said the programme would be implemented in facilities including Maamobi General Hospital, Achimota Government Hospital, Ho Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and selected hospitals in Koforidua and Takoradi.

Source : www. ghanaiantimes.com.gh

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has issued an urgent technical advisory to organisations across the country, warning of a large-scale cybercrime campaign known as “FortiBleed” that is actively targeting Fortinet FortiGate firewalls and Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Virtual Private Network (VPN) gateways.

The advisory, released on June 19, 2026, cautioned that the campaign poses significant risks to organisations whose digital infrastructure relies on Fortinet security devices, particularly where weak passwords, password reuse and inadequate authentication measures exist.

According to the CSA, the campaign is not exploiting a newly discovered software vulnerability but is instead taking advantage of poor cybersecurity practices, including weak credentials and the absence of multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Automated attacks

The CSA explained that threat actors behind the campaign are conducting automated scans of internet-facing Fortinet devices and testing them against large databases of previously leaked usernames and passwords.

Valid credentials are catalogued and reused, enabling attackers to access systems at scale across multiple sectors,” the advisory stated.

It warned that once access is gained, cybercriminals could monitor network traffic, capture authentication information and establish persistent access to compromised systems.

The CSA further noted that successful breaches could lead to privilege escalation, lateral movement within networks and the compromise of additional systems, including Active Directory environments that often form the backbone of institutional IT infrastructure.

Organisations at risk

The advisory identified several conditions that increase an organisation’s vulnerability to the FortiBleed campaign.

These include publicly accessible administrative or VPN interfaces, the use of weak or recycled passwords, failure to enforce multi-factor authentication for administrative access, and unrestricted access to administrative systems from untrusted internet sources.

The CSA said organisations operating critical digital infrastructure, including those in government, finance, telecommunications, education, healthcare and other essential sectors, should pay particular attention to the warning.

Warning signs

To help organisations identify potential compromises, the CSA outlined a number of indicators that warrant immediate investigation.

Among them are login attempts from unusual geographic locations or at unusual times, repeated failed login attempts followed by successful access, the appearance of unknown administrator accounts, unexpected configuration changes on firewalls and suspicious network connections to unfamiliar internet addresses.

The CSA stressed that the presence of any of these indicators may suggest attempted or successful compromise and should trigger immediate incident response procedures.

Recommended measures

As part of its mitigation strategy, the CSA urged organisations to immediately rotate all administrative and VPN credentials, enforce multi-factor authentication and ensure the use of strong, unique passwords.

Additional recommendations include restricting access to administrative interfaces to trusted IP addresses or internal networks, disabling unnecessary services and unsecured management interfaces, and continuously monitoring firewall, VPN and authentication logs.

The Authority also advised organisations to implement network segmentation and least-privilege access controls to limit the spread of attacks in the event of a breach.

Furthermore, all Fortinet devices should be updated with the latest firmware and configurations in accordance with vendor recommendations.

To assist organisations in assessing their vulnerability, the CSA directed users to perform an initial exposure check through publicly available cybersecurity assessment tools.

The CSA reiterated its commitment to supporting organisations facing cybersecurity incidents and encouraged affected entities to promptly report suspicious activity.

Growing cyber threat landscape

The latest advisory comes amid increasing concerns about the sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks targeting organisations worldwide.

Cybersecurity experts have repeatedly warned that attackers are increasingly exploiting stolen credentials and poor security hygiene rather than relying solely on software vulnerabilities.

The CSA has, in recent years, intensified public awareness campaigns and regulatory interventions aimed at strengthening the country’s cyber resilience, particularly among operators of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII).

The CSA maintains a 24-hour Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Incident Reporting Point of Contact and has urged organisations experiencing any suspicious activity related to the FortiBleed campaign to seek immediate assistance. Source : www.myjoyonline.com

Telecom equipment maker Ericsson, Telia and several partners will invest more than 300 million kronor in the national test center Digital Arena Sweden to bolster Sweden’s competitiveness in 5G, 6G and AI.

This was disclosed in a press release from Ericsson.

Ericsson will be responsible for establishing a unique pre-commercial 6G test environment in collaboration with Lund University and KTH.

Source : www.marketscreener.com

Even Flow Distribution is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with global technology leader Huawei, securing distribution rights for Huawei’s innovative eKit networking product range. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Even Flow as it expands its portfolio of enterprise-grade technologies designed to empower businesses with reliable, scalable and cost-effective connectivity solutions.

The partnership brings together Huawei’s globally recognised expertise in networking and digital infrastructure with Even Flow’s deep understanding of local market dynamics and customer needs. With the addition of Huawei eKit to its offering, Even Flow is well-positioned to deliver advanced networking solutions tailored specifically for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), as well as channel partners looking for accessible, high-performance infrastructure.

Strengthening Even Flow’s market position

For Even Flow Distribution, this agreement represents more than just an expansion of its product portfolio – it is a strategic step forward in becoming a leading value-added distributor in the African ICT ecosystem. Huawei eKit solutions are designed for ease of deployment, simplified management and strong performance, making them ideal for businesses that require enterprise-level capabilities without complexity.

By partnering with Huawei, Even Flow gains access to a globally trusted technology brand with a proven track record of innovation. This enables the company to offer clients solutions backed by extensive research and development, while maintaining the personalised service and agility that Even Flow is known for.

“This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering cutting-edge, practical technology to our channel and end-users,” said a spokesperson for Even Flow Distribution. “Huawei eKit allows us to bridge the gap between affordability and high performance, ensuring our customers receive maximum value.”

Driving value for clients and partners

The introduction of Huawei eKit products provides significant benefits for Even Flow’s customer base, including resellers, system integrators and end-user organisations across various industries.

Key advantages include:

• Simplified networking solutions: Huawei eKit products are designed for straightforward installation and management, reducing the need for highly specialised technical skills and accelerating deployment timelines.
• Cost-effective performance: Clients gain access to high-quality networking technologies at competitive price points, allowing businesses to scale efficiently without exceeding budgets.
• Reliability and scalability: Built on Huawei’s robust engineering standards, eKit solutions offer dependable performance and the flexibility to grow alongside customer requirements.
• Enhanced support and availability: Through Even Flow’s local presence, customers benefit from responsive support, quicker turnaround times and improved product accessibility.
• Channel enablement: Partners can leverage training, technical resources and go-to-market support to confidently deliver Huawei eKit solutions to their customers.

In an increasingly digital economy, reliable connectivity is no longer optional – it is essential. The Huawei eKit range, combined with Even Flow’s distribution capabilities, ensures that businesses of all sizes have access to modern, future-ready networking infrastructure.

Empowering digital transformation

This partnership comes at a time when organisations across Africa are accelerating their digital transformation efforts. From hybrid work environments to cloud adoption and IOT integration, the demand for intelligent, resilient networks continues to grow.

Huawei eKit addresses these needs with a comprehensive suite of products, including switches, routers, wireless access points and network management tools – all designed to deliver seamless connectivity and operational efficiency.

Even Flow Distribution is committed to enabling its clients to navigate this evolving landscape with confidence. By offering Huawei eKit solutions, the company reinforces its role as a trusted technology partner, helping businesses unlock new opportunities through digital innovation.

Looking ahead

As Even Flow Distribution and Huawei embark on this partnership, both organisations share a common goal: to make advanced networking technology more accessible and impactful for businesses across the region.

Clients can expect continued investment in skills development, partner enablement and customer support, ensuring that the full value of Huawei eKit solutions is realised throughout the market.

This collaboration signals a strong future for both companies – and, more importantly, a significant step forward for businesses seeking reliable, scalable and affordable networking solutions.

For more information about Huawei eKit products and availability through Even Flow Distribution, customers are encouraged to contact their local Even Flow representative.

Source : www.itweb.co.za

Speaking on behalf of Cabinet Secretary Hon. William Kabogo Gitau, E.G.H., Tanui highlighted that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical concern but a strategic necessity for economic growth, national resilience, digital trust, and global competitiveness.

Principal Secretary for the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy, John Kipchumba Tanui, CBS, has emphasized the importance of cybersecurity as a core pillar of Africa’s digital transformation during remarks delivered at Cyber Week Africa 2026 Partners Breakfast.

Speaking on behalf of Cabinet Secretary Hon. William Kabogo Gitau, E.G.H., Tanui highlighted that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical concern but a strategic necessity for economic growth, national resilience, digital trust, and global competitiveness. The high-level engagement brought together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, academia, diplomatic missions, and development organizations to shape a shared vision for Africa’s digital future.

Tanui noted that Kenya’s ongoing Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy agenda places cybersecurity at the centre of its transformation efforts. He explained that as the country expands Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), digital identity systems, online public services, artificial intelligence, digital payments, and cross-border digital trade, security and trust must be embedded by design to ensure sustainability and resilience.

He further pointed out that Kenya has made significant progress in expanding digital connectivity, digitising public services, strengthening data protection frameworks, and attracting investment in digital infrastructure. According to him, these achievements are positioning Kenya as a leading digital innovation hub in Africa while reinforcing the need for secure and trusted digital ecosystems.

Tanui described Cyber Week Africa 2026 as a critical platform for advancing collaboration across the cybersecurity ecosystem. He said the event presents an opportunity to strengthen cyber resilience, develop cybersecurity talent, and deepen policy, innovation, and investment discussions that will shape the continent’s digital future.

He also underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration involving government, industry, academia, and development partners. He cited organizations such as ABSA, Huawei Kenya, Cisco, CrowdStrike, Sentinel Africa, SEACOM, Fortinet, Strathmore University, University of Nairobi, MITSUMI Distribution, MTN, Airtel Kenya, Mastercard, Kenya Airways, and others as key contributors to building a secure digital environment.

Looking ahead, Tanui announced that Nairobi will host Cyber Week Africa 2026 from 27th to 30th October 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to advancing a secure, inclusive, and resilient digital future for Africa through sustained collaboration and innovation.

Source : www. techafricanews.com

A delegation led by Terry He, President of the Asia Pacific Region of Huawei, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Information and Communications Bikram Timilsina at the ministry today, focusing on digital transformation and telecom sector cooperation.

During the meeting, Terry He said the country is in a key phase of digital transformation and expressed Huawei’s readiness to support the Digital initiative through expertise in telecommunications infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, clean energy technology, and data center development. He added that Huawei is committed to long-term cooperation in strengthening digital infrastructure.

Minister Bikram Timilsina said telecom sector reform is a top priority and noted continued expansion of reliable communication services nationwide. He emphasized that Huawei must ensure transparency, accountability, and high-quality service delivery in its operations.

He also urged the company to resolve technical and service-related issues promptly in coordination with Nepal Telecom, stressing that public complaints must be addressed jointly to improve service quality.

The minister further called for clean and transparent business practices in all telecom-related activities and urged both sides to prioritize citizens’ service experience while eliminating inefficiencies and intermediary practices.

Source : www.english.nepalnews.com