MTN has played a key role in strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and South Africa through its support of the Nigeria–South Africa Presidential Trade and Investment Breakfast Dialogue, held on 21 November 2025 at the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa. The event, convened ahead of the G20 Summit, focused on “Driving Sustainable Investment, Innovation and Inclusive Trade.”
The dialogue brought together ministers, governors, South African CEOs, and investors to explore avenues for deepening collaboration between two of Africa’s largest economies. Participants discussed strategies to enhance trade, attract investment, and foster innovation across the continent.
Ralph Mupita, MTN Group President and CEO, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting regional economic cooperation.
“Strengthening the economic ties between Nigeria and South Africa is essential for boosting intra-African trade, attracting quality investment, and accelerating industrial development. Infrastructure, both digital and physical, will continue to be the engine of this progress. Today’s engagement underscores our shared belief that by working together, we can create an Africa that is more resilient, more competitive, and better positioned to seize global opportunities.”
MTN’s support aligns with its broader Ambition 2025 strategy, which aims to drive digital and financial inclusion, enabling businesses to thrive, fostering investment, and using technology as a lever for economic development.
Nigeria’s Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Hon. Adebayo Olawale Edun, highlighted the country’s openness to investment:
“Nigeria is open for business, safe for investment.”
Special Adviser to the President on Finance and the Economy, Sanyade Okoli, underscored Nigeria’s goal to grow its GDP by 7% by 2027 and expand employment opportunities. She outlined four pillars critical to achieving these objectives: strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals, advancing governance and regulatory reforms, expanding critical infrastructure, and improving access to capital.
The event also included an investment-focused session attended by Executive Governors from across Nigeria, including Kaduna, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Osun, Plateau, Niger, Enugu, Gombe, and Katsina, reflecting broad regional engagement in promoting economic cooperation.
By facilitating this dialogue, MTN reinforces its role as a key enabler of Africa’s economic progress, highlighting how private-sector partnerships can complement government-led initiatives to unlock trade and investment opportunities across the continent.
