MTN Group seeks to mend relations in host countries

MTN Group has today launched its “We’re good together” initiative.

The operator says the initiative is aimed at demonstrating how, in partnering with its host countries, the company can change lives by improving digital access, driving financial inclusion, empowering and enabling SMEs, creating jobs and broad community development, among many others.

As a pan African company with roots that are deeply anchored in the continent, MTN is telling its story that doing good business extends far beyond corporate social investment initiatives, says the company.

The launch of the initiative comes as MTN is facing a number of challenges in its host countries, especially in Africa.

Last month, the company had to close shop in countries like Nigeria following attacks on its businesses in that country in retaliation to xenophobic attacks in SA.

Speaking about the role of MTN on the continent, Group Chief Executive Officer and President, Rob Shuter, says: “To harness the potential of Africa and ensure our youth are productively employed, we need affordable, safe and relevant digital services which are matched with the required digital skills.

“This, in turn, will support the global development agenda and national priorities. As one of the major infrastructure investors across Africa, MTN through partnership and collaboration, can accelerate this digital inclusion.”

According to MTN, the global telecommunications industry has made significant progress on the Sustainable Development Goals but more still needs to be done to bridge the digital divide and MTN is prepared to do its part.

Since inception 25 years ago, the telecommunications giant says it has been a significant contributor to the economies and communities within which it operates.

It adds that a lot of this has been with respect to the infrastructure that is the backbone of the economies that MTN operates in, and often, that enables connectivity of people in the most remote areas.

MTN’s operations have also increasingly become a broader part of the economy through varying efforts including employment creation as well as Mobile Money, it notes.

“Over the last 25 years, MTN has built high-speed networks covering 560 million people, created jobs for over five million people and through MTN Mobile Money connected 30 million people to the benefits of easy, cost-effective mobile financial services across the continent,” says Shuter.

MTN has also worked to use this mobile reach and technology to enable access to education with the goal of promoting and enabling digital teaching and learning, the company says.

“MTN only succeeds if Africa succeeds. Being a partner in development also means that we have a responsibility to enable the youth to unlock economic opportunities in every country we operate in. We have therefore enhanced our focus on more actively demonstrating what can be achieved if we work together to enable a shared value system and drive a prosperous Africa,” adds Shuter.