Telecommunications group MTN South Africa plans to invest almost R22-billion over the next three years in capital infrastructure to support South Africa’s continued digital transformation and economic growth.

This emerged during the South Africa Investment Conference, held in Sandton on Tuesday, where MTN South Africa CEO Ferdi Moolman said that in 2025 alone, the company invested R6.8-billion across its network.

“In the three years to 2028, we expect to invest a total of R22-billion in South Africa,” he said, pointing out that the company’s participation reinforced its strong partnership with government as well as its commitment to advancing South Africa’s socioeconomic priorities.

“As broadband connectivity is fundamental to accelerating economic participation, this investment in network infrastructure and information technology systems has significant multiplier effects, enabling entrepreneurship, innovation and growth across communities, industries and regions.”

The investment adds to MTN’s continued contributions to the South African government’s tax revenue and the country’s job creation and digital skills development.

In 2024, MTN South Africa’s total tax contribution was nearly R5.4-billion, comprising payments made to all spheres of government, including corporate tax, indirect taxes, operating licence fees, payroll taxes, property rates, dividend taxes and withholding taxes.

“Alongside the continued investment of billions of rands in network infrastructure, job creation and digital skills development, MTN’s contribution drives meaningful socioeconomic impact across the nation and is key to our licence to operate as well as our reputation as a responsible corporate citizen,” said Moolman.

It also positions the company, which serves more than 40-million subscribers and is consistently ranked as South Africa’s most valuable brand, as a trusted partner to government in advancing national priorities, including growth, digital and financial inclusion and infrastructure development.

MTN employs more than 4 000 people in South Africa and has a strong focus on developing graduate talent to support the country’s future workforce.

“As a Level 1 BBBEE contributor, we drive inclusive growth, with over R9.8-billion spent with black-owned suppliers and R18.9-billion spent with black women-owned suppliers in 2024 alone.”

Through the MTN SA Foundation, since 2009 more than R1.1-billion has been invested in community initiatives, including over 400 multimedia centres which reach more than 220 000 learners and programmes that have equipped over 16 000 educators with digital tools and training.

“The MTN Online School now reaches over 470 000 learners. Entrepreneurship programmes have exposed more than 36 000 learners to business principles,” Moolman added.

Further, over 3 500 unemployed youth have been trained through digital skills programmes, and more than 365 small, medium-sized and micro enterprises have been supported through incubation and business development initiatives, contributing to the creation of over 300 jobs.