After securing one of South Africa’s two ‘national cellular radio telephony service’ licences in September 1993, MTN began building a network in January, eight months after the state-owned competitor. Within six months the two were on par. Launched commercial operations on 1 June.

Coverage race with competitor intensified, with MTN committing R1.2bn in capital expenditure.

Launched prepaid solution ‘Pay As You Go’ in October, dramatically opening up the market. With no contracts and no credit checks, even those without bank accounts could now have cellphones.

Offered SMS (a text message of 160 characters) for the first time.

Began our international expansion.

Introduced SIM-only packages.

Created MTN International in February.

Acquired licences in Uganda, Rwanda and Swaziland, HM King Mswati III making the first cellular call in the kingdom, on his birthday.

Became the first cellular network in Africa to get ISO 14001 rating for environmental management and ISO 9002 for customer service.

Reached 2m subscriber mark in South Africa.

Network quality tests confirmed that MTN was best in SA.

Launched the ‘Call Me’ concept and ‘MyChoice TopUp’.

Acquired Camtel Mobile in Cameroon, rebranding it MTN Cameroon.

Became first in Africa to launch High Speed Circuit Switched Data technology (allowing data transfer at up to six times the normal rate).

Won a licence in January in Nigeria, which at the time had just 700 000 fixed and 22 500 cellular lines for its 120m people. Launched commercial services in August.

Launched MTN SA Foundation to manage social investment projects. Foundation inaugurated by former President Nelson Mandela.

Changed name to MTN Group Ltd from M‑Cell Ltd.

Became the first operator in Africa to offer General Packet Radio Services (GPRS).

MTN Nigeria subscribers hit 500 000 in the year after launch.

Group subscribers topped 7m – a 42% year‑on‑year increase.

Reached 1m active subscribers in Nigeria.

Launched MTN special greeting Y'ello.

Revenue of R29bn – a 21% increase.

MTN International contribution to turnover topped 35% (from 18.9% in 2002).

Bought 49% of Irancell.

Bought 44% of Mascom in Botswana.

Acquired licence in Côte d’Ivoire.

Bought 100% of Libertis in Congo-Brazzaville.

Completed purchase of Telecel in Zambia.

Became one of first operators in Africa to offer 3G.

Shareholders approved purchase of Dubai‑based Investcom in US$5.5bn deal, expanding MTN’s presence across Africa and the Middle East to 21 countries from 11.

Pledged US$65m for 2010 FIFA World Cup, making MTN the only African global sponsor. Launched employee volunteer programme 21 days of Y’ello Care.

Revenue up 42% to R73bn.

Subscriber numbers topped 54m.

Subscriber base reached 91m, up 48% from the previous year.

Revenue rose 40% to R102bn.

Subscribers topped 116m, grew market share in all but one of 21 operations.

Launched MTN Mobile Money in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

At R8.1bn, MTN Zakhele transaction was the biggest broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) deal in SA telecoms.

Reached 164m subscribers.

Established Group Social and Ethics Committee.

Civil unrest in several markets and difficulties in repatriating cash.

The launch of the US$650m West Africa Cable System, increasing broadband capacity. MTN was its biggest investor.

Unveiled a new vision:
To lead the delivery of a bold new Digital World.

MTN Nigeria disconnected 3.2m as part of subscriber registration process.

R30bn capital expenditure (capex) included 4 400 3G sites and 5 161 2G sites.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) imposed US$5.2bn fine on MTN Nigeria for not meeting the deadline to disconnect unregistered SIMs; 6.7m disconnections in Nigeria.

MTN Nigeria acquired 4G spectrum.

Negotiated down to US$1bn the MTN Nigeria fine for not disconnecting SIMs by deadline.

In Nigeria, MTN was classified as a “dominant operator”.

Launched BRIGHT strategy.

• Best customer experience
• Returns and efficiency focus
• Ignite commercial performance
• Growth through data and digital
• Hearts and minds
• Technology excellence

Articulated our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life.

Listed MTN Ghana.

Greater focus on fintech and digital opportunities.

Launched CHASE framework to boost lower‑income rural access to the internet.

Listed MTN Nigeria.

Recorded US$96bn in mobile financial transactions – 9 200 per minute.

Launched in 12 markets.

COVID-19 – MTN reported 10 staff deaths and launched the global staff emergency fund. 10% of staff were in the office.

Launched #WearItForMe campaign and Y’ello Hope with a R1.2bn value.

Listed MTN Rwanda and MTN Uganda.

Launched the Ambition 2025 strategy.

Donated US$25m to AU’s COVID-19 vaccination programme for health workers.

Launched #OneMorePush campaign.

Exited Yemen and Syria.

We refreshed our brand.

Total subscribers topped 289m, with 137m active data users as usage rose by a third.

Economic value add up at R149bn from R119bn.