In a momentous celebration this week, MTN Group has marked its 30th anniversary by announcing it now serves more than 300 million customers across its markets. The milestone was revealed at the company’s Ambassadors Appreciation Dinner, bringing together diplomats, industry leaders and the company executives, all poised to reflect on a journey that transformed a humble South African telecom startup into a pan-African connectivity powerhouse.
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A Vision That Outpaced Expectations
When MTN first launched thirty years ago, its ambition was modest: to connect one million users in its initial markets. Today, it has not only surpassed that but has emerged as Africa’s leading digital operator, offering services across multiple countries and even extending influence beyond the continent.
In unveiling this achievement, the company said it has achieved its ambitious target under the Ambition 2025 roadmap ahead of schedule. The strategy, originally crafted to position the group as more than a pure-play telco, aimed to expand digital services and financial inclusion across Africa. The 300 million mark, once a stretch goal, now stands as a testament to the company’s execution, partnerships, and adaptability in challenging environments.
MTN’s Group President & CEO, Ralph Mupita, took the opportunity to recast the company’s role: not just as a service provider, but as a developmental enabler. He remarked that despite global headwinds—economic uncertainty, regulatory shifts and infrastructure gaps—MTN has held firm on its mission, underscoring that “the time is now for Africa to take charge of its own socioeconomic progress.”
From Y’ello Care to Local Innovation: Celebrating Impact
The anniversary event also served as the platform to spotlight MTN’s social investment arm. The 2025 edition of 21 Days of Y’ello Care, themed “Connecting at the Roots,” was showcased. Through this initiative, the staff across the continent design and deploy digital tools targeting underserved communities—whether in education, health, or financial services.
Mupita’s remarks were supported by Nompilo Morafo, MTN’s Group Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer, who emphasised that the heart of the company lies in its people, ideas, and compassion. She delivered, “Progress is ultimately built through people — our ideas, commitment and compassion,” paying tribute to “MTNers, partners and community collaborators.”
During the ceremony, the company also recognised top-performing markets for their standout community projects:
- MTN Eswatini led with its Government in Your Hand initiative, integrating its MoMo ecosystem into public service delivery to boost e-governance access.
- MTN Cameroon was honoured with the WECA Region Award for establishing local digital hubs that nurture innovation.
- MTN Uganda won the SEA Region Award for projects like solar-powered health centres, computer labs, and vocational training programs.
- MTN Nigeria was given special mention for its “Y’ello Boxes” and “MoMo Market Storm” projects, which support women and small enterprises through digital empowerment.
These acknowledgements reinforced how MTN’s ambition extends beyond profit—to shaping socio-economic outcomes at grassroots levels.
Looking Ahead: Deepening Africa’s Digital Future
In his closing remarks, Mupita expressed gratitude to the diplomatic corps and public sector partners for creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment for innovation and investment. He reaffirmed MTN’s alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, declaring that while the path ahead is bold, it remains grounded in purpose and partnership.
MTN now looks beyond the 300 million customers milestone. It is doubling down on ambitions around digital inclusion, financial access, and local content creation, promising that more Africans will be able to connect, create, and thrive.
In celebrating 30 years of service, MTN is doing more than counting subscribers—it’s weaving a narrative of possibility, resilience and transformation for a continent eager to define its own digital destiny.
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