MTN Group Limited, originally M-Cell, is a South African-based international mobile telecommunications company with operations in a number of African and Asian countries.
Which country owns MTN?
Johannesburg is the company’s headquarters. As of December 2020, MTN had 280 million users, making it the world’s sixth-largest mobile network operator and Africa’s largest.
The company, which has a presence in more than 20 countries, generates one-third of its sales in Nigeria, where it has a market share of 35 per cent.
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M-Cell was founded in 1994 with assistance from the South African government.
In 1995, the company’s then-CEO, John Beck, was succeeded by founder Leena Jaitley and Robert (Bob) Chaphe.
In 2001, Johnnic Holdings was the majority shareholder, and Irene Charnley was the chairperson.
Phuthuma Nhleko succeeded then-CEO Paul Edwards, who had invested in a Nigerian expansion, as CEO in 2002.
MTN’s competitors in South Africa include Vodacom, Cell C, and Telkom Mobile.
In May 2008, Bharti Airtel, an Indian telecom company, looked at purchasing MTN Group. MTN and Reliance Communications were also talking about “perhaps integrating their companies.” In July, the two firms’ merger talks came to an end.
MTN Group purchased Verizon Business South Africa, a provider of data services to clients in South Africa and four other African countries, in June 2008. On February 28, 2009, the transaction was completed.
On June 26, 2009, MTN Group’s division merged with Belgacom International Carrier Services (BICS), a Belgacom subsidiary. The consolidated subsidiary, which operated as an international gateway, routed MTN’s carrier services.
In October 2012, MTN and Afrihost formed a partnership to deliver DSL broadband services in Africa.
In November 2012, the South African holding company, Shanduka Group, paid $335 million for a minority stake in MTN Group’s Nigeria operations.
There is an MTN mast in Kaduna State.
In the 2014 BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brand rankings, MTN was named Africa’s Most Admired and Valuable Brand. In 2015, MTN maintained its status as Africa’s Most Admired and Valuable Brand.
In March 2016, Rob Shuter was appointed as the company’s chief executive officer. On September 1, 2020, Ralph Mupita was named Chief Executive, succeeding Shutter.