By The MTN Group is hosting a high-level group from Nigeria’s National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) for a week-long visit to its Johannesburg headquarters.
The visit, co-hosted by the SA-Nigeria Business Chamber, the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition, and the Nigerian embassy, is part of an NIPSS study tour to explore the relationship between digital technology, youth empowerment, and long-term employment in Nigeria.
The group is led by Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, the Nigeria High Commission’s charge d’affaires. It is made up of government officials, military representatives, law enforcement officers, and leaders from professional associations.
According to MTN, the tour strengthens bilateral ties between Nigeria and South Africa while also providing significant opportunities for learning and collaboration.
MTN Group said the theme of the week-long study tour to South Africa, “Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment, and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities,” encourages dialogue and identifies new areas for collaboration to further both countries’ goals of building digital societies for tomorrow.
Ajayi said: “Collaboration and strategic partnerships are critical in realizing the full potential of digital technology for socioeconomic development. By collaborating, we can build strong frameworks that empower our kids, generate job creation, and promote long-term progress.”
During the tour, the delegation has since met with leaders from MTN Group and MTN Nigeria, led by Enzo Scarcella, MTN Group’s executive for consumer business. They also took a visit of MTN’s Technology Innovation Lab, where they witnessed technological developments first-hand.
Scarcella commented: “The visit underscores our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation and economic growth. By working together, we can unlock the digital economy’s full potential and create a connected future for all Nigerians.”
A’isha Umar Mumuni, MTN Nigeria’s chief digital officer, also underlined the company’s commitment to improving digital infrastructure, which said will drive economic growth in Nigeria.
She emphasised MTN’s commitment to advance Nigeria’s digital environment by investing in connectivity, digital platforms, and expanding financial services to rural areas, which she said demonstrates the company’s commitment to the country’s digital future.
MTN, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in this year, says it is committed to using its knowledge and resources to empower Nigerian youth, bridge the digital divide, and accelerate sustainable development, instilling hope and optimism for the future.
The Group has urged African governments to consider streamlining laws, particularly in the technology sector, to encourage more capital investment in digital infrastructure, which is essential to speed economic development.
MTN Group, which began operating in South Africa in 1994, now has 18 operations, 17 of which are in Africa.
MTN Nigeria is the Group’s largest subsidiary in terms of subscriber numbers, with about 78 million customers at the end of the first quarter of 2024. MTN Nigeria started commercial operations in August 2001.
ITWeb
