MTN, Africa’s leading operator in terms of subscribers, had 301.3 million customers at the end of September 2025, including 165.8 million internet users. Despite this solid base, the group is seeking to adapt to market developments in a context of accelerated digital transformation.
Bayobab (MTN Digital Infrastructure), the digital infrastructure arm of the South African MTN Group, announced a partnership with Mozambican telecom operator TMCEL on Tuesday, February 10. As part of this agreement, Bayobab will make its digital platforms available to the incumbent operator to enhance its international communications services. This initiative aligns with MTN’s ambition to evolve from a telecommunications-centric model to that of a technology company.
In a press release, Bayobab stated that TMCEL will leverage its global communications platforms, including international voice, international roaming, and IPX services, to offer its residential and business customers advanced, scalable, and high-quality services. The partnership aims to enhance the international calling experience and ensure smoother cross-border connectivity.
The company emphasizes that this launch marks an important step in its partnership strategy, which consists of supporting African operators with the same level of expertise and capacity as that deployed across its entire international footprint.
“This partnership with TMCEL is a strong example of how MTN Digital Infrastructure is expanding its reach and capabilities to support African operators ,” said Mazen Mroué (pictured), Managing Director of MTN Group Digital Infrastructure.
This initiative comes at a time when MTN, like other African telecom operators, is seeking to diversify its activities beyond traditional services. This transition is all the more strategic as digital transformation accelerates across the continent, driven by evolving usage patterns, the rise of digital services, and the emergence of new business expectations, including in the telecommunications sector.
Bayobab, a pillar of MTN’s diversification strategy
MTN has chosen to empower Bayobab by separating it from its traditional telecom business. It is with this in mind that the entity abandoned its former name, MTN GlobalConnect, in May 2023. Bayobab now aims to position itself as a world-class, open-access, Africa-centric digital infrastructure platform, serving not only the MTN Group but also third-party clients.
To achieve this goal, the company relies on one of the continent’s most extensive fiber optic networks, boasting 127,000 km of open-access fiber, a presence in 54 African countries, access to 24 submarine cables and 235 landing stations.
In parallel, Bayobab is developing high-speed, low-latency satellite solutions to bridge the digital divide in rural and isolated areas. The company is also investing in data centers to strengthen its position in colocation and cloud services for hyperscalers, businesses, and African governments.
Beyond physical infrastructure, Bayobab also offers next-generation communication platforms – voice, messaging, roaming, IPX and IoT services – designed to support business performance.
Fintech, AI: MTN is multiplying its growth levers
This diversification strategy is also reflected in other structuring initiatives. On February 5, 2026, MTN announced its intention to acquire IHS Towers, one of the leading telecom tower providers in Africa, in which it already holds a 25% stake. If the transaction is completed, the group would enter the telecom tower market, a key infrastructure for the development of mobile services. Demand for this equipment is expected to grow in the coming years, driven by the accelerated rollout of 4G and 5G, increased data consumption, growing smartphone penetration, and the expansion of coverage in rural areas.
Furthermore, Ralph Mupita, CEO of MTN, recently told the media outlet Semafor that the group was interested in acquiring fintech start-ups, particularly in payments, loans and money transfers, in order to strengthen an activity that has become one of its main growth drivers.
MTN is also strengthening its position in emerging technologies. In September 2025, the group announced it was seeking international partners to develop data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence in Africa. A month earlier, it launched the “MTN Genova” program, designed to promote the responsible use of AI to drive innovation, improve productivity, and enhance the customer experience. The program is currently limited to the group level.
Use cases already tested include optimizing energy consumption in data centers in South Africa, intelligent energy management of cellular sites in Benin, detecting fiber optic breaks in Ivory Coast, and optimizing network traffic in Nigeria.
Source : www.extensia.tech.com
