MTN's journey into Africa was not a leisurely drive down a well-maintained highway. It was more akin to an intrepid expedition, navigating uncharted territories filled with potholes, roadblocks, and unexpected detours. Yet, despite countless challenges, the pioneering MTNers who ventured north were driven by an unyielding belief in the transformative power of connectivity. They knew that GSM technology wasn't just about making calls; it was about building bridges, fostering economic growth, and empowering communities across the continent.

This unwavering spirit of determination and hope is embodied in the incredible feats of resourcefulness and resilience woven into stories of those who lived and breathed this ambitious expansion. Their experiences paint a vivid picture of resilience, ingenuity, and a shared commitment to a better, more inclusive future for Africa.

Navigating uncharted territories

Andrew Bing, a member of the initial International Business Development team and later chief financial officer of MTN Nigeria, paints a vivid picture of the early days. "The hardest part of going into new countries was finding reliable, accurate information," he recalls. "That included information on shareholders and local investors we could work with and rely on; statistics to inform the business plan and basic local knowledge." This and other challenges, however, only fuelled the team's resourcefulness.

"We always made a plan, even if it meant working insanely long hours, weekends, and really burning all the candles we could find at both ends," Bing explains. "Whatever it took, we were prepared to do the hard yards because we fully realised the positive impact we could have on lives, on economies, and generally help to push Africa forward."

The challenges were as varied as they were numerous. "Sometimes the planes we flew in were… let's say they were lucky to be flying; transport in-country was often iffy," Bing reminisces. "Looking back, I wonder how we survived at times: having phones confiscated at airports, going through army checkpoints – which we had quite a few issues with. Oh, and then there were the injections/inoculations and running through so many passports, despite having two at the same time. But then there was the immense hospitality we received."

These experiences forged a deep sense of camaraderie and resilience among the MTN team. They learned to adapt, improvise, and find solutions in the most unlikely of places. Bing recalls, "We really achieved the impossible! Hiring full Russian aeroplanes to fly in equipment, finding solutions that had never been tried or used before but that worked due to the sheer bloody-mindedness of the MTN and other staff."

A sense of pride and purpose

Karel Pienaar, MTN's first employee and a driving force behind its establishment, also served as acting chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria in its first year. He recalls the excitement of lying flat on his stomach on the glass cockpit of a giant Antonov transport plane as it flew low over Africa from Johannesburg to Rwanda, crammed with containerised equipment. "And I remember the people lining the street from the airport in Kigali as we proceeded into the city, celebrating our arrival," he says. "It was still shortly after the genocide but our arrival seemed to signal to them hope."

Pienaar recalls a conversation with a rival CEO who questioned the viability of expanding into Africa. "His attitude was that there were no opportunities outside of South Africa, only dirt and squalor," Pienaar recalls. MTN's steadfast belief in the potential of the African market, however, would prove to be well-founded.

Building networks, building communities

Pienaar explains that the networks in countries like Rwanda, Uganda, and Cameroon had to be initially set up by expatriates, mostly MTNers, while local teams worked to recruit and train the brightest local talent. As acting CEO of MTN Nigeria, he explains that every expat appointed to that fledgling operation (there were at least 100 to begin with) was tasked with two things: "spend 50% of your time building this network, and 50% of your time building the people". This dual focus on infrastructure and local empowerment was not only a practical necessity but a reflection of MTN's core values. By investing in both the technological infrastructure and the human capital of the communities they served, MTN was building not just networks, but a more prosperous and inclusive future for Africa.

The journey was undoubtedly challenging, but the rewards – both for MTN and for the communities the company served – have been immeasurable. MTN's story is one of hope and belief, demonstrating the power of perseverance and the transformative impact of connectivity on the African continent.