By Susan Olalere 
MTN Group, Africa’s leading digital solutions provider, has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering cross-border collaboration and regional economic integration during its annual Chairmen’s Forum held last week in Kampala, Uganda. For MTN South Africa, the engagement highlights the Group’s unified vision to accelerate Africa’s progress through shared investments, strategic partnerships, and digital innovation.
Uganda as A Foundational Pillar in MTN’s African Growth Story
Uganda holds a distinct place in MTN’s history as the first market outside South Africa where the Group secured a telecommunications licence in 1998. This landmark expansion was a catalyst for MTN’s transformation into a pan-African digital powerhouse, demonstrating the Group’s long-standing belief in Africa’s potential.
Today, MTN Uganda remains one of the Group’s most strategic markets, both commercially and developmentally. The country’s role as a launchpad for MTN’s African journey reflects the enduring value of early investment, nation-building, and deep local partnerships — principles that MTN South Africa continues to uphold across its operations.
Advancing Collaboration Across African Markets
Led by Group Chairman Mcebisi Jonas and Group President & CEO Ralph Mupita, the MTN delegation engaged with Uganda’s national leadership, including a high-level meeting with His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House, Entebbe. Discussions centered on deepening economic cooperation and leveraging MTN’s regional presence to support Uganda’s development priorities.
President Museveni emphasized the importance of investing in four key sectors vital for wealth and job creation: commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT. He urged MTN to explore cross-border investments that promote regional integration and intra-African trade, aligning with MTN Group’s broader ambition of building inclusive and sustainable economies.
For MTN South Africa, these pillars resonate strongly. As the Group’s flagship operation, MTN South Africa’s expertise in driving digital financial inclusion, scaling 5G infrastructure, and enabling enterprise growth positions it as a catalyst for transferring knowledge, technology, and investment models across African markets.
Strengthening Trade, Investment, and Digital Progress
Mcebisi Jonas highlighted the Group’s dedication to supporting Uganda’s economic aspirations while enhancing South Africa-Uganda business linkages. “We believe there is real opportunity to help Ugandan businesses enter the South African market, and that is something we can explore further,” Jonas remarked.
This commitment reflects MTN’s strategy of fostering South-South cooperation, enabling African enterprises to access new markets, and driving continental trade under the AfCFTA framework. MTN South Africa’s robust ecosystem serves as a key enabler in this vision, creating opportunities for Ugandan and other African businesses to scale and thrive.
Unified Vision for Africa’s Progress
As MTN Group accelerates its mission to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress, collaboration between its African markets remains central. The Chairmen’s Forum in Uganda has not only reinforced strategic alignment but also highlighted the power of unified action in driving economic growth, digital inclusion, and sustainable development.
For MTN South Africa, these engagements symbolize more than business—they reflect a shared commitment to building an interconnected Africa where every market contributes to collective prosperity.
About MTN Group
MTN Group is Africa’s leading digital solutions provider, committed to enabling the benefits of a modern connected life to everyone across its markets. Established in South Africa in 1994, MTN has grown into a pan-African and Middle Eastern telecommunications giant, providing voice, data, fintech, digital, enterprise, and API services to over 280 million customers. Guided by its Ambition 2025 strategy, MTN focuses on leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress, driving sustainable growth, and fostering inclusive economic development across its footprint.
For more information, visit: www.mtn.com
About MTN South Africa
MTN South Africa, a key subsidiary of MTN Group, is a leading provider of telecommunications and digital solutions, serving millions of consumers and businesses across the country. As the flagship operation of MTN Group, it plays a pivotal role in pioneering innovative technologies, expanding digital and financial inclusion, and supporting South Africa’s economic growth. MTN South Africa remains committed to delivering superior customer experiences while contributing to the Group’s vision of a digitally connected, economically vibrant Africa.
For more information, visit: www.mtn.co.za
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