MTN Group, Africa’s leading telecom service provider, led by Zimbabwean executive Ralph Mupita, has announced the official launch of a Joint Technology Innovation Lab at the company’s headquarters in Johannesburg, in partnership with Huawei.
The inauguration of the Joint Technology Innovation Lab marks a significant milestone in MTN Group’s commitment to pioneering technological advancements and driving innovation across the continent. This stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, underscoring commitment to technological evolution.
Catalyzing Africa’s digital transformation
The state-of-the-art facility is poised to become a nucleus of digital advancement and collaboration, focusing on critical areas such as 5G technology, artificial intelligence, and digital financial services.
By leveraging the expertise of both MTN Group and Huawei, the lab aims to catalyze innovation and sustainable development across Africa, propelling the continent into a new era of technological prowess.
MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita emphasized the lab’s role in fostering Africa-centric solutions, highlighting its potential to spur economic growth and community empowerment. Mupita stated, “This lab further demonstrates our commitment to developing relevant, sustainable, and transformative solutions designed specifically for the African context.”
“It will catalyze the growth of the digital economy, fostering innovation, and generating long-lasting opportunities to empower communities and advance the continent’s development,” Mupita added.
MTN Group under Mupita’s leadership
MTN Group maintains a dominant position with more than 289 million subscribers across 22 African and Middle Eastern markets. The company offers a diversified portfolio encompassing fintech, digital solutions, enterprise services, wholesale offerings, and APIs.
Recognizing the surging demand for data, MTN has strategically directed investments towards this segment in recent years. This focus has propelled the customer base to surpass 292 million across 19 markets.
Despite headwinds in Nigeria, its largest market, MTN demonstrated resilience in 2023. Under Mupita’s leadership, the company remains well-positioned for continued growth.
MTN’s Technology Innovation Lab serves as a hub for innovation and collaboration, fostering the talents of Africa’s brightest minds. This initiative plays a crucial role in shaping the technological landscape of the continent.
