Johannesburg: President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to telecommunications provider MTN for transforming the lives of millions of people in the country and across the continent of Africa. ‘In countries like South Africa, MTN has sought to ensure that no one is left behind. Its network reaches some 97% of the population, providing a foundation for digital inclusion and economic empowerment,’ the President said on Friday in Johannesburg.
According to South African Government News Agency, addressing MTN’s 30 years celebration gala dinner, President Ramaphosa highlighted the company’s evolution over the past three decades from a small South African start-up of 20 employees into a global telecommunications leader. MTN now employs over 17,500 individuals representing more than 70 nationalities across 18 markets. The President noted that the mobile sector in Sub-Saharan Africa generated more than US$140 billion of economic value last year, with MTN playing a significant role in this growth. The group provides v
oice, data, fintech, digital, enterprise, wholesale, and API services to 288 million customers in 18 markets. MTN Mobile Money offers over 65 million individuals access to financial services, fostering financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved communities.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged the telecommunications industry’s contribution to democratizing public goods and services. ‘It has enabled the provision of financial, health, education, social welfare, and other services to the most far-flung areas,’ he stated. He recalled the early 1990s when South Africa was transitioning towards democracy and was among the most connected nations on the continent, despite severe inequalities in access to telephony. Visionaries like the late Dr. Nthato Motlana and Zwelakhe Sisulu saw the potential of mobile technology to bridge this gap.
The rapid growth of South African cellphone companies, reaching a million subscribers within two years, was driven by innovations such as prepaid services. President R
amaphosa described MTN’s unique culture, characterized by resilience, adaptability, and a relentless drive to succeed. He emphasized the role of technology in overcoming distance barriers, enabling cheaper and more reliable service delivery, and enhancing social cohesion.
The President praised the youth of the continent for driving economic and social transformation through the industry. On this anniversary, he saluted the early pioneers and those who have been at the forefront of leading Africa’s digital progress. MTN has consistently supported government efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties with other countries and has been generous in sharing its experiences and insights of different markets.
As MTN looks to its future, President Ramaphosa expressed confidence in the company’s ability to capitalize on opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area. He commended MTN’s deep understanding of the African continent and expressed trust in its capacity to forge a path for other co
mpanies to follow. ‘As we work to improve the lives of the people of South Africa, we know that we can rely on the ingenuity, the industry, and the commitment of the MTN team to support these efforts,’ the President concluded, embracing MTN’s call of ‘doing for tomorrow, today.’