MTN pledges $215M to Benin infrastructure investment

MTN Group has committed to invest US$215 million into infrastructure deployment in Benin over the next three years and will build a state-of-the-art office for subsidiary MTN Benin.

The pledges were made during an MTN Group leadership visit to Cotonou, which included meeting with Benin's President Patrice Talon.

"We are committed to the development and upskilling of the Beninese youth and have made clear our desire to partner with the government and other stakeholders in this regard," said MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita.

President Talon said the government looked forward to future collaboration with MTN Benin.

Mupita added that MTN has been trialing 5G services in Benin and sees opportunities to progress in that area.

From left to right: MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Nompilo Morafo; MTN Benin Chairman Amadou Raimi; MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita; Benin's President Patrice Talon; MTN Senior VP for Markets Ebenezer Asante; and MTN Benin CEO Uche Ofodile. (Source: MTN Group)

MTN has around 8 million subscribers in Benin and has been operating in the West African country for 25 years.

MTN is the biggest mobile operator in Benin with almost 55% market share at the end of 2023, according to statistics from market research company Omdia, a sister company of Connecting Africa.

Moov Africa had around 38% market share and the smallest operator Celtiis had just over 7%.

MTN investment pledges across Africa

MTN has made similar investment pledges in other African countries, including a pledge in August 2023 to invest $225 million over three years toward Cameroon's digital economy.

In February 2023, MTN announced it would invest US$1 billion in Ghana over next five years.

In mid-2021 it also pledged to invest US$1.5 billion over three years to expand broadband access in Nigeria.

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Earlier this month, MTN experienced some troubles in Guinea-Conakry when its offices were sealed by the local telecommunications regulator over a licensing payment issue.

In May 2023, MTN Group said it was considering selling its operations in Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau and Liberia after receiving an offer from Axian Telecom.

*Top image source: MTN Group.

— Paula Gilbert, Editor, Connecting Africa