Nigeria and South Africa have taken further steps to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, with MTN Group reaffirming its commitment to supporting deeper integration between the continent’s two largest economies.
This formed the focus of discussions at the second edition of the Nigeria-South Africa Economic Diplomacy Roundtable held in Lagos, where stakeholders highlighted the growing importance of collaboration in driving Africa’s economic growth.
Speaking at the event, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, who represented the Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, described the company as a strategic partner capable of accelerating not only Nigeria-South Africa relations but broader continental development.
She noted that MTN’s long-standing investments across Africa, spanning people, infrastructure and institutions, position the company as a key enabler of economic integration.
According to her, MTN operates in multiple African markets, serving over 307 million subscribers while continuing to expand its fibre network and digital infrastructure footprint.
“The Economic Diplomacy Roundtable is not just another public event; it speaks to the very essence of why we exist as a company on this continent,” she said.
Ikenna-Emeka added that MTN’s infrastructure investments, including subsea cable systems linking major cities such as Lagos, Accra and Cape Town, are facilitating seamless data movement across borders.
She further disclosed that the company’s mobile platforms currently process transactions for over 70 million Africans, underscoring its role in advancing digital and financial inclusion.
The roundtable also referenced outcomes from the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Binational Commission held in Cape Town in December 2024, where both countries signed over 30 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at deepening cooperation in key sectors.
Stakeholders at the event emphasised that Nigeria and South Africa remain central to Africa’s economic trajectory, given their combined economic weight and leadership roles in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
MTN concluded by reaffirming its resilience in navigating economic and regulatory challenges in Nigeria and across its markets, pledging sustained investment in infrastructure and strategic partnerships to drive inclusive growth and strengthen economic ties across the continent.
