A milestone moment for African connectivity
MTN Group has cemented its position as Africa’s leading telecommunications company, officially becoming the first African-headquartered telco to surpass 300 million subscribers. The milestone marks the successful achievement of the Group’s Ambition 2025 strategic target to serve 300 million customers across its markets.
The announcement was made by MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita during the company’s annual Ambassadors’ Appreciation Dinner, held on 16 October 2025 in South Africa. The gathering brought together African diplomats, senior government officials and CEOs from across MTN’s operations, alongside members of the Group Executive Committee, to celebrate the achievement and reinforce collaboration towards Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
“The time is now for Africa to take charge of its own socio-economic progress. We need to look within for solutions and to develop our own communities,” Mupita said, highlighting how global geopolitical uncertainty and reduced foreign aid have underscored the need for Africa-led growth. “Tonight, we celebrate our Y’ello Care employee volunteers and take inspiration from their can-do attitude. We also celebrate their dedication, which has led to the Group meeting a strategic milestone by serving more than 300 million customers a mere three decades since the start of our first commercial operation in South Africa.”
A vision realised through Ambition 2025
Launched in 2021, MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy aimed to position the company as the leading digital solutions provider in Africa by 2025. The strategy focused on expanding MTN’s core connectivity business, scaling its fintech and digital platforms, and deepening its role in enabling digital inclusion across the continent.
Reaching 300 million subscribers represents more than just numerical growth — it signifies MTN’s success in expanding access to affordable communications and digital financial services in some of Africa’s most underserved regions. Over the years, MTN has evolved from a voice-led operator into a diversified technology company offering mobile money (MoMo), enterprise connectivity, cloud services and digital content platforms.
Mupita described the achievement as a collective triumph that reflects MTN’s three-decade journey of innovation and resilience. From its beginnings in South Africa in 1994, MTN has expanded to operate in 19 markets across Africa and the Middle East, connecting individuals, businesses and governments.
Celebrating purpose-driven growth
At the heart of MTN’s milestone is its long-running Y’ello Care initiative — the company’s flagship employee volunteerism programme. The 2025 edition of 21 Days of Y’ello Care, themed “Connecting the Roots: Connecting communities through the use of digital tools”, was a key highlight of the evening.
The campaign exemplifies MTN’s belief that “everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life” and demonstrates how collaboration and innovation can translate into tangible progress for communities. Through Y’ello Care, MTN employees across its markets design and implement projects that promote education, digital literacy and entrepreneurship using technology.
“Y’ello Care embodies our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life, while reminding us that progress is ultimately built through people – our ideas, commitment and compassion,” said Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer. “I am grateful to MTNers, partners and community collaborators who continue to bring this belief to life.”
Recognising excellence across MTN’s markets
The event also served to honour outstanding Y’ello Care initiatives from MTN’s various markets. MTN Eswatini received top honours for its Government in Your Hand initiative, which integrates MTN’s Mobile Money platform (MoMo) to deliver essential public services and build digital literacy. The project advances e-governance and enhances inclusion by bringing citizens closer to their government through mobile access.
MTN Cameroon won the WECA Region Award for its community-driven digital centres that empower citizens to co-create local solutions fostering innovation and civic participation at the grassroots level.
MTN Uganda was recognised with the SEA Region Award for expanding digital inclusion through the establishment of computer labs, solar-powered health centres and vocational training programmes. These projects are equipping young people and rural communities with digital skills and access to essential services.
The inaugural Platform Business Award went to MTN MoMo, in recognition of its contribution to financial inclusion across Africa. MoMo has become one of the continent’s most impactful fintech platforms, offering millions of users access to digital payments, entrepreneurship support and technology-enabled healthcare solutions.
MTN Nigeria received a Special Mention Award for the innovation and scale of its Y’ello Boxes and MoMo Market Storm initiatives, both designed to deepen digital and financial inclusion for women, traders and small business owners.
Collectively, these initiatives reflect MTN’s commitment to “connecting purpose with action” and its belief that inclusive growth is essential for sustainable progress.
Partnerships for Africa’s digital future
In his address to the diplomatic corps, Mupita emphasised that partnership and policy alignment remain critical to Africa’s ability to leverage digital transformation for economic growth. He thanked the diplomatic community for fostering an enabling environment that supports sustainable investment and innovation.
“We are grateful for your continued partnership and support in creating an ecosystem that allows technology to thrive and benefit all Africans,” he said, reaffirming MTN’s commitment to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 — a blueprint for transforming the continent into a globally competitive digital economy.
Mupita added that the Group’s long-term vision goes beyond connectivity, focusing on empowering Africans through access to education, financial services and digital tools that enable self-sufficiency. “The journey is ambitious but achievable, grounded in partnership and guided by a vision of an inclusive digital future,” he said.
Three decades of transformation
From its first commercial operation in South Africa in 1994 to its current footprint spanning 19 markets, MTN has consistently demonstrated resilience and adaptability. The company has navigated regulatory reforms, economic shocks and technological shifts while maintaining a sharp focus on innovation and inclusion.
Over the past decade, MTN has also aggressively expanded its fintech operations. Its Mobile Money (MoMo) platform now serves over 70 million active users, making it one of the largest fintech ecosystems in Africa. In many countries, MoMo has become a lifeline for small businesses, farmers and informal traders, offering them secure, cashless transactions and access to credit.
With its Ambition 2025 target now achieved, MTN is looking ahead to a new chapter of growth focused on “leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.” This includes further scaling its platforms in financial technology, enterprise solutions and digital content while driving environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership.
A new benchmark for African business
MTN’s feat positions it among the global giants of telecommunications, joining the ranks of China Mobile, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone in the 300-million-subscriber club. Yet its achievement carries unique significance: it is an African-born company connecting Africa to itself and to the world.
By surpassing 300 million subscribers, MTN has not only achieved a corporate milestone but also delivered a continental victory — one that demonstrates Africa’s capacity to build and scale globally competitive enterprises.
As the curtain closes on Ambition 2025, MTN’s next horizon appears firmly focused on inclusivity, innovation and impact. For Mupita and his team, the message is clear: Africa’s digital transformation will not be imported it will be built from within.