Sina Hina-Mvoko, General Manager, Public Sector Sales, MTN South Africa.

Since South Africans embraced democracy 30 years ago, the world of digital communication has not just bridged gaps; it has added new dimensions of freedom to our society. The digital revolution has opened doors and transformed lives – it has shaped how we live, work, learn and play. Over the years, MTN has unlocked opportunities for millions of South Africans to stay in touch with loved ones, enabled access to government services and banking online, kept businesses operating and been the conduit of assistance in times of emergency or disaster. Through it all, breaking down barriers and opening doors to new possibilities for our nation.

But amidst the rapid pace of change, one thing remains constant – MTN’s unwavering commitment to the people of South Africa. From providing affordable data to bridging the digital divide, MTN prides itself on being a beacon of hope in a world filled with uncertainty. We are inspired to be and to do more in pursuit of our mission to ensure everyone can enjoy the benefits of connectivity and the power of technology because humanity is shared, and it is our collective responsibility to build a better future for all.

As a company established in 1994, aligning with the birth of our new nation, we are also mindful of our role in the development of South Africa and its economy. To this end, MTN’s dedication to digital inclusion extends beyond investments in infrastructure, broadband and digital services – and has actively supporting South Africa’s socio-economic development agenda in multiple ways.

One of its latest milestones, announced in April 2024, is the MTN Group and MTN South Africa each retaining a Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) contributor status in 2023, for the fourth and fifth years in a row, respectively.

Embedded in the company’s culture is the recognition that its success is intertwined with the success of the local businesses and people within the markets in which it operates. This propels its work to make a tangible contribution to the growth of local enterprises, fostering job creation and entrepreneurship and setting the platform for an economically resilient country and continent through its blossoming relationships within the public sector.

MTN upped its B-BBEE ante over the year, with notable improvements in the categories of Management Control and Skills Development, demonstrating tangible gains in Management Control that reflect its work to promote equality in the workplace, creating a gender inclusive environment and reflecting fair representation of South Africa’s demographics.

Despite the tough global macroeconomic environment, MTN still continues driving skills development to meet the growing demand for critical and specialised skills in the ICT sector and the economy at large. It increased its spending on skills development for people living with disabilities and continued to provide opportunities for unemployed learners.

Over its 30 years spent connecting people, MTN has consistently prioritised the upliftment of previously and presently disadvantaged individuals through its socio-economic development initiatives. Through the MTN Online School and MTN Skills Academy, it has created a broad education and learning environment and to date, over 700 000 learners have accessed the MTN Online School platform, offering digital curriculum aligned educational content for Grades R to 12. More than 900 unemployed youth have received training in digital skills programmes ranging from digital marketing and e-commerce to data science-related short courses. Its contribution to education has not always been elaborated on or recognised, but in large and small ways, MTN has walked the education talk through such initiatives as enabling UNISA students to write their exams over the Covid-19 lockdown period through providing free data; donating bicycles to children in impoverished and isolated villages to help them to get to school and town centres in order to access learning, donated devices as learning tools, and made computer centres available to citizens of all ages.

To meet MTN Group’s strategic priority to create shared value and unlock opportunity, MTN SA launched its Xlerator enterprise and supplier development programme in September 2023 – aimed at creating a platform for the growth of Black-owned suppliers through financial, developmental and training support. This is based on its belief that it has a responsibility to promote Black-owned businesses as these are integral to foster inclusive and sustainable growth. MTN programmes, like Xlerator, make available more than R2.6 billion in financial support possible through MTN SA-enabled finance ecosystem partners.

Xlerator goes beyond just financial support, but provides resources to support running a successful digital business, encompassing imparting legal, HR and accounting skills.

Over the years, MTN has transformed its supply chain by affording more opportunities to Black-owned SMMEs, increasing spend – which is independently verified in terms of the Codes of Good Practice, with targeted suppliers. Greater than 51% Blackowned vendors have benefitted from the R3.5 billion in 2016 to an increased R6.5 billion in 2023. The 30% Black women-owned vendor spend has moved from R9.2 billion in 2016 to R14.2 billion in 2023 and exempt micro enterprises (EMEs) – companies with an annual revenue of less than R10 million, have benefitted from an increase from R326m in 2016 to R785m in 2023. Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSEs) – measured entities with an annual total revenue of between R10 million and R50 million, have had an increase from R1.2 billion in 2016 to R1.8 billion in 2023, and designated groups – which includes Black people, women and people with disabilities enjoyed inclusion in a R1 billion allocated spend in 2023.

Since the National Treasury’s RT- 15, MTN has enjoyed steady growth across multiple different public sector departments. In the process, MTN has been in a position to help government improve on its citizen-centricity and build on its citizen services offerings. “We have still barely scratched the surface in terms of what we can do, working with the different public sector departments,” says Sina Hina- Mvoko, MTN’s General Manager, Public Sector Sales. “There are still huge opportunities for collaboration to make a difference in citizens’ lives and we are without doubt aligned with public sector objectives. Despite today’s socio-economic headwinds, I believe the future is bright,” concludes Hina- Mvoko.

For more information on how MTN Business can co-create solutions for your business, contact us on MTNBusiness.Marketing@mtn.com

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