MTN

MTN Group and Ghana have signed a landmark agreement to work together to support the government’s flagship ‘One Million Coders Program’ to equip young Ghanaians with artificial intelligence, coding and digital skills to drive the country’s digital transformation.

On the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Ghana’s Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Honourable Samuel Nartey George, and MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore areas for collaboration on what the minister called the flagship initiative of the new administration of President John Mahama.

“We engaged with the MTN Group and expressed our desire for a partnership that will lead to fuel the capacity of young Ghanaians in the area of artificial intelligence, digital technology, data governance and cybersecurity,” the minister said, adding that MTN did not hesitate to offer to support the initiative.

“We recognise that, as part of its 25^th anniversary, MTN (Ghana) is making significant investments in Ghana. The MTN building, donated to the government of Ghana, will become one of our centres for excellence for artificial intelligence and software development. We are committed to backing MTN in this endeavour,” Minister George said.

Mupita thanked the minister and his delegation for two days of constructive engagements and for choosing MTN as a trusted partner. “We are very focused on understanding the strategy Ghana has and how we as MTN Group and MTN Ghana can support it,” he said.

“We thank you for your commitment in terms of creating an enabling environment for us to carry on the work we are doing, very humbly though, to support the building out of the digital ecosystem that will be a catalyst for growth and expansion and meet the socioeconomic objectives of the Ghanaian government,” Mupita added.

Given that around 3 000 languages are spoken across Africa, it was incumbent on Africans to ensure that they worked on their own large language models to develop the solutions made possible through generative AI. “We must develop our own talent on the African continent; we must develop our own software engineers and we must be doing more around coding to enable us to all be future fit,” Mupita said.

MTN Group Senior Vice President for Markets, Ebenezer Asante, said MTN was delighted to be part of the initiative, which was closely aligned to MTN’s strategic intent. “Between MTN and Ghana we will partner using common projects to advance the cause of African development,” he said.

The MoU follows the introduction in 2023 of the MTN Skills Academy in multiple MTN operating countries, including Ghana. The MTN Skills Academy aims to provide access to digital and financial skills training across the continent. The Academy provides a range of courses, including coding, web development, digital marketing and data analytics, with the aim of ensuring 60% of youth and adults have at least basic proficiency in sustainable digital skills by the end of 2025.

Source: MTN

MTN Ghana has promised to execute its Ambition 2025 Strategy despite the macroeconomic challenges by focusing on sustained growth and enhancing its platform strategy.

This is after the telecom giant posted a 26.3% year-on-year profit growth to GH¢5.028 billion 2024.

The Ambition 2025 Strategy includes driving platform development, improving home connectivity, leveraging artificial intelligence applications, and encouraging greater app adoption for fintech users and the general subscriber base. Additionally, the company will implement expense efficiency initiatives aimed at mitigating the impact of inflation and currency depreciation on the business.

MTN Ghana pointed out that it will continue to pursue its value-based capital allocation strategy to invest capex strategically to maximize long-term shareholder value. This will enable it to capitalise on the increasing demand for data by expanding access, particularly in rural areas and by promoting the adoption of smartphones.

It also pledged to expand partnerships with financial institutions, agents, and merchants since it is essential for the growth of the Mobile Money (MoMo) ecosystem and the advancement of innovative MoMo services. Additionally, it was bolstered by ongoing investments aimed at improving 4G connectivity, which was complemented by initiatives to enhance overall customer experience and growth.

“We continued the investment in our network and technology, spending GH¢3.1 billion to maintain network quality, expand coverage and capacity and improve our IT systems. These investments underpinned a 6.5% year-on-year growth in our subscriber base, bringing the total to 28.5 million, as we continued to invest in building a resilient network and the latest technology to ensure that our customers remain connected”.

Data Revenue

Data revenue experienced significant growth, rising by 53.8% year-on-year to GH¢9.0 billion.

This increase was driven by a 13.7% year-on-year rise in active data subscribers and increased smartphone adoption, which in turn led to a 19.0% increase in the megabytes consumed per active user per month.

The contribution of data revenue to total service revenue increased to 50.2% (2023: 43.9%).

Voice Revenue

Voice revenue decreased by 0.9% year-on-year to GH¢3.5 billion due to a shift from traditional calls to voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services, driven by increased smartphone adoption and data usage.

However, the CVM initiatives and other portfolio optimization initiatives supported a 13.5% growth in usage (measured by minutes).

The contribution of voice revenue to total service revenue declined to 19.7% (2023: 26.8%), reflecting the ongoing shift in contribution toward faster-growing products and services such as data and mobile financial services.

MoMo Revenue

Mobile money revenue sustained its robust positive momentum with year-on-year revenue growth of 54.4% to GH¢4.4 billion.

This growth was driven by a 12.8% year-on-year growth in active users, a review of the fee structure and significant growth in advance services. Withdrawals recorded a strong growth of 45.2% year-on-year, while transfers grew by 44.6%.

MoMo’s revenue contribution to total service revenue increased to 24.9% (2023: 21.7%).

Digital Revenue

Digital revenue experienced strong growth, with a year-on-year increase of 66.1%, reaching GH228.2 million.

This outcome was supported by an 11.7% year-on-year rise in active subscribers and increased usage of our products and services such as video, gaming and ring-back tones. Enhanced customer experience and suite of digital services supported the growth in the user base.

The contribution of digital to total service revenue increased to 1.3% (2023: 1.0%).

Sources: My Joy Online

MTN Foundations’ ‘Save A Life’ project has so far collected a total 35,620 units of blood since the project’s inception in 2011.

The initiative, which reached its 14th year last Valentine’s Day, saw a collection of 6,620 units of blood even though the foundation was seeking to raise about 6,100 units from 52 blood donation centres across all 16 regions of the country.

Prior to this year’s blood donation exercise, MTN Foundation had raised a total of 29,000 units of blood for various hospital blood banks.

This annual exercise is to support the National Blood Service and regional hospitals in addressing the critical shortage of blood supplies in the country. Through the generosity of MTN employees, partners and members of the public, this year’s initiative exceeded expectations – reinforcing MTN Ghana Foundation’s dedication in improving access to quality healthcare.

Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer-MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, while presenting blood samples to the National Blood Service expressed excitement about this year’s success and appreciated all donors, healthcare partners and volunteers who contributed to this life-saving cause.

“We are thrilled to have surpassed the target set for this year’s campaign. I hope this will help to alleviate the gap in blood supplies at our hospitals. At MTN, we believe in making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. We remain committed to championing initiatives that improve lives and strengthen communities,” she said.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Blood Service, Dr. Shirley Owusu Ofori, for her part commended the MTN Ghana Foundation for its ongoing commitment to replenishing the country’s blood banks.

“The partnership between the MTN Ghana Foundation and the National Blood Service has over the years encouraged voluntary, unpaid blood donations and ensured a steady supply of life-saving blood for patients in need,” Dr. Ofori mentioned.

About ‘Save a Life’

The MTN ‘Save a Life” campaign is an annual blood donation initiative held on Valentine’s Day, organised by the MTN Ghana Foundation. It provides MTN staff and the general public with an opportunity to donate blood that helps replenish the National Blood Bank and regional hospitals. This initiative began in 2011 as a response to appeals from the National Blood Service for voluntary contributions to address critically low blood supplies.

Source: www.thebftonline.com

CalBank PLC has partnered with MTN Ghana and fintech firm Bluespace Africa to launch ‘BeINsured’—an’ innovative digital insurance marketplace.

The platform is designed to provide seamless access to auto insurance via USSD technology.

Being the first of its kind in Ghana, it enables vehicle owners to purchase policies, pay premiums, and process claims directly from their mobile phones without needing internet access. 

This initiative aims to enhance financial inclusion and drive auto insurance penetration in a market where many vehicle owners remain uninsured.

Speaking to Citi Business News after the launch at the bank’s head office on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the head of digital and inclusive banking at CalBank, Martha Quaye, said the platform falls in line with the bank’s vision to expand mobile financial services beyond traditional banking.

“As part of our strategy, we have focused on digital transformation, some of which require collaboration with partners. That is what has brought this platform to bear. As a bank, digitization is what we strive for; that is why we have brought this product onto the market”, she said. 

The partnership leverages the ecosystem of MTN mobile money to simplify premium payments and claims processing.

“We are providing the platform for easy payments, allowing customers to pay premiums and receive claims seamlessly through their mobile wallets,” said Sylvia Otuo Acheampong, Chief Product Officer at Mobile Money Limited.

‘BeINsured’ is expected to disrupt traditional models by offering consumers greater flexibility and efficiency in securing vehicle coverage at a time when Ghana’s auto insurance industry is gradually embracing digital innovation.

The platform is positioned as a game-changer, particularly for drivers in remote areas, commercial operators, and customers seeking quick but reliable insurance solutions.

Revenue Operations Lead at Bluespace, Kwame Play, was confident the platform will have an impact on accessibility and trust in the insurance sector. 

“We have aggregated the industry’s best insurers to increase penetration and provide a more convenient, transparent auto insurance experience,” he noted.

Source: Myjoyonline

MTN has announced plans to shut down its 3G network in South Africa by December 31, 2025-accelerating the phase-out schedule by a full year.

The decision comes after a successful pilot in Cape Town, where the operator tested a migration strategy designed to transition users to more advanced 4G and 5G services.

In a letter sent to participants of the Cape Town pilot, MTN explained that the move follows a directive from the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, which, as early as September 2022, signaled its intention to eliminate both 2G and 3G networks. The operator assured customers that while there would be some inevitable short-term impact, the transition would be implemented in carefully planned stages to minimise disruption.

The pilot project, which covered areas including Durbanville, Greater Melkbosstrand, and several Cape Town suburbs such as Milnerton and Bloubergstrand, was used to fine-tune the migration process. Encouraged by its success, MTN is now confident that a full rollout will be smooth and will ultimately enhance customer experience by delivering faster, more reliable connectivity.

This planned upgrade reflects broader trends in the South African telecom market. Industry giants like Vodacom and MTN are urging the government to avoid rigid deadlines, emphasizing that flexibility is essential in light of the high costs associated with upgrading to 4G and 5G devices. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has confirmed that ICASA is conducting an economic impact assessment to ensure that the switch-off will not unduly affect consumers, especially in regions where access to advanced networks remains limited.

The move to phase out older networks is part of a larger strategy to modernise South Africa’s mobile infrastructure. With the introduction of budget-friendly devices such as Vodacom’s Mobicel S4 and MTN’s Icon 5G, there is hope that the transition will not only boost network efficiency but also make modern mobile technology more accessible to a broader segment of the population. However, some analysts warn that the shift must be managed carefully to avoid alienating customers who still depend on 3G services for essential communications.

As the countdown to the December 2025 deadline begins, all eyes will be on how MTN and its peers handle the migration. The planned phase-out is seen as a necessary step toward a more connected and technologically advanced future for South Africa, but its success will depend on balancing the rapid pace of technological change with the practical needs of everyday users.

Source: News Ghana

The Chief Finance Officer of MTN Ghana, Antoinette Kwofie, has called for the unification of regulations across the continent to facilitate the attraction of capital to invest in the infrastructure on the continent.
Participating in a panel discussion at the 2025 Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) on the topic, “Filling the Funding Gap for Infrastructure”, Antoinette Kwofie underscored the importance of collaboration among African nations in achieving sustainable growth.

“As Africans, we need to start thinking as one unit. Success can be achieved by playing as a team. So, we need to start thinking about how we can collaborate across the different countries we have on the continent and operate seamlessly as one unit, bring our ideas and funds together and fund projects across the continent,” she stated.

She further emphasized the need to move away from fragmented economic strategies and instead work towards a common goal, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to drive investment and trade.
“We need to stop thinking as 54 different countries. We need to operationalize AfCFTA, we need to harmonize regulations, we need to remove trade barriers, we need to create an incentive for Africa to invest in Africa,” she added.
Madam Kwofie also highlighted the crucial role of human capital in Africa’s transformation, stressing the need for investment in skills that will propel technological advancement on the continent.

“Human capital is one of the things we need to get right if we want to achieve transformation on the continent. Investing in human capital, not just for the technical skills but for the technological skills amongst others,” she noted.
She pointed out that Africa has immense talent yet continues to rely on external technological solutions. According to her, it is time to harness local expertise to develop solutions tailored to the continent’s needs.
“We tend to buy technology from the West when we have so much talent on the continent. MTN has a group of software developers, and they are all Africans developing technology for Africa’s future. It is possible.”

MTN Ghana remains committed to supporting initiatives that foster economic growth, digital transformation, and infrastructure development in Africa. As a leading telecommunications company, MTN continues to champion digital innovation and investments that contribute to a prosperous and interconnected Africa.
The Africa Prosperity Dialogue is organised by the Africa Prosperity Network and is aimed at achieving deeper economic integration between African states in outlining its industrialisation priorities. Among the topics under discussion were the policies that will ensure the successful implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Source: News Ghana

The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has highlighted the crucial role of digital connectivity in realizing Africa’s vision of a single market.

Speaking at the Africa Prosperity Dialogue (APD) 2025, Mr Blewett stressed that discussions surrounding Africa’s economic integration would be meaningless without significant investment in digital infrastructure and connectivity.

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In view of that, the CEO indicated that MTN as Africa’s leading telecommunications provider is proud to play a pivotal role in advancing digital access, integration, and economic inclusion as continent works towards achieving prosperity.

“At MTN Ghana and the MTN family we’re particularly excited about these important conversations and are proud to play a pivotal role as Africa’s leading telecommunication provider. This is because all the discussions of delivering Africa’s single market will come to naught without investing in connectivity and integration.

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“Digital access, internet connectivity, digital literacy, and skills, as well as promotion of E commerce, mobile banking and a host of others are central to our vision for Africa,” he stated.

According to Mr Blewett, MTN’s commitment to digital transformation aligns with the company’s Ambition 2025 strategy, which aims to accelerate economic and social progress through cutting-edge telecommunications solutions.

He noted that by investing in digital infrastructure, the company seeks to enhance cross-border trade, financial inclusion, and access to technology that will enable African businesses and individuals to thrive.

“As a brand that is at the heart of harnessing Africa’s potential, this platform presents a fine opportunity for MTN to position itself as a valued partner in Africa’s progress, steering critical conversations and shaping our future.”

MTN Ghana, through its extensive investments in mobile connectivity and digital solutions, has been a key enabler of economic growth and financial inclusion. The company continues to bridge the digital divide by expanding access to high-speed internet and mobile money solutions, ensuring that businesses and individuals, regardless of their location, are connected to opportunities.

Addressing policymakers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders from across the continent, Mr Blewett underscored the importance of overcoming Africa’s historical challenges and shifting the narrative towards innovation, youth empowerment, and economic resilience.

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“For many years, Africa has suffered a poor image as the world’s poster child with negative stereotypes such as war, disease, famine, and many others. Whilst the continent does have its challenges, the continent is a vibrant one with a youthful population that can be harnessed for productivity with the right skill set.”

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The Chief Executive further urged leaders across various sectors to work together in the spirit of Pan-African cooperation to shape the continent’s narrative and seize emerging opportunities.

“When I think of these things, I am always reminded that our time is now. It’s a time of action, and we need to remember that we need to move forward with that mindset. Together, in the true spirit of Pan-African cooperation, we can control and shape our narrative, and I’m confident that we will seize the opportunities for our continent,” he stated.

The APD is an annual platform that convenes Africa’s leadership from both the public and private sector to engage, forge partnerships and commit to accelerating the creation of the continent’s single market as enshrined in the AfCFTA agreement for a prosperous Africa.

APD provides the space for Africa’s political and business leaders to work closely together to shape, drive, and deepen intra-African trade and investments to achieve the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Source: www.msn.com