The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MTN

  • MTN unveils mPulse for `tweens’ and teens

    MTN Nigeria has unveiled its latest innovation, MTN mPulse, for `tweens’ and teens (ages 9 to 15).

    The MTN General Manager in charge of Consumer Marketing, Mr Oluwole Rawa, announced this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

    He said that the plan was designed for to enable `tweens’ and teens to learn useful skills while having fun.

    According to Rawa, mPulse package comes with a voice plan and a website which hosts a variety of courses and study aids to help children from Primary 1 to SS3 to excel.

    He added that the portal would provide a bouquet of single and multiplayer games as well as skill videos.

    Rawa said that it would come from computer programming, fashion designing, medicine and blogging to engineering, writing, data science and motivational speaking.

    “ There is something for every interest,’’ he said.

    Rawa said that the portal had parental controls.

    “Once a child is signed up, the registered parent/guardian could track and control what the child is accessing on the Internet.

    “With the launch of MTN mPulse, MTN is giving parents and guardians more ways to equip the next generation.

    “We always seek to proffer innovative and relevant solutions that enable our customers to connect with their tomorrow.

    “This platform does precisely that – providing a controlled environment where our youngsters can explore and learn more and have fun while doing it.

    “MTN is a community of people from across the country; we all have family connections and are dedicated to protecting and nurturing a brighter future,’’ he said.

  • ‘MTN under pressure to list’

    MTN Group Limited is facing pressure to list its unit in Uganda as Africa’s largest mobile-phone company seeks to renew a licence in the country.

    While selling shares on the local bourse isn’t a pre-condition for the granting of a new 10-year contract, the East African nation wants “Ugandans to be part of the company,” according to Godfrey Mutabazi, the Executive Director of the country’s telecommunications regulator. MTN’s licence expires in October.

    A listing of the Uganda business would follow similar moves by MTN in Ghana and Nigeria — both agreed to by the Johannesburg-based company as part of a deal with regulators. The carrier has been embroiled in a number of spats with local authorities around the continent in recent years, most notably in Nigeria, where it agreed to a $1 billion fine in 2016 alongside an initial public offering of its unit in Lagos.

    The carrier is also offering a 35 percent stake of its Ghanaian unit to local investors in return for access to local spectrum, in what will be that country’s biggest-ever initial public offering.

    An MTN spokesman said the carrier couldn’t comment on a potential Uganda listing. The shares gained 0.7 percent to 102.16 rand as of 10:01 a.m. in Johannesburg, valuing the company at 192 billion rand ($13 billion).

    MTN Uganda has a market share of about 55 per cent, Mutabazi said. The company says is had almost 10.9 million customers in the country as of the end of March, compared with more than 221 million across 22 markets in Africa and the Middle East.

    Last month, MTN complained that officials from the Internal Security Organisation raided its data centre in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, and disconnected four servers, posing a risk to customer data.

  • ‘MTN under pressure to list’

    MTN Group Limited is facing pressure to list its unit in Uganda as Africa’s largest mobile-phone company seeks to renew a licence in the country.

    While selling shares on the local bourse isn’t a pre-condition for the granting of a new 10-year contract, the East African nation wants “Ugandans to be part of the company,” according to Godfrey Mutabazi, the Executive Director of the country’s telecommunications regulator. MTN’s licence expires in October.

    A listing of the Uganda business would follow similar moves by MTN in Ghana and Nigeria — both agreed to by the Johannesburg-based company as part of a deal with regulators. The carrier has been embroiled in a number of spats with local authorities around the continent in recent years, most notably in Nigeria, where it agreed to a $1 billion fine in 2016 alongside an initial public offering of its unit in Lagos.

    The carrier is also offering a 35 percent stake of its Ghanaian unit to local investors in return for access to local spectrum, in what will be that country’s biggest-ever initial public offering.

    An MTN spokesman said the carrier couldn’t comment on a potential Uganda listing. The shares gained 0.7 percent to 102.16 rand as of 10:01 a.m. in Johannesburg, valuing the company at 192 billion rand ($13 billion).

    MTN Uganda has a market share of about 55 per cent, Mutabazi said. The company says is had almost 10.9 million customers in the country as of the end of March, compared with more than 221 million across 22 markets in Africa and the Middle East.

    Last month, MTN complained that officials from the Internal Security Organisation raided its data centre in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, and disconnected four servers, posing a risk to customer data.

  • MTN Nigeria gets new COO

    MTN Nigeria has announced the appointment of Mazen Mroue as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).

    With over 22 years’ experience in telecoms and information communications technology (ICT), drawn from various MTN operations across Africa and the Middle East,  Mroue joins MTN Nigeria from MTN Irancell, where he had also served as COO since July 2014.

    Before then, he was at variously CEO of MTN Uganda and MTN Liberia in addition to which he served as a non-Executive Director of MTN Cyprus and held different Leadership roles at MTN Ghana.

    In his new role, Mazen will provide leadership and direction to the commercial and technical functions of MTN Nigeria.

    Commenting on the change, MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Ferdi Moolman said: “Mazen brings a track record of achievements and a wealth of experience to the team, drawn from telecoms markets across Africa and the Middle East.

    “He has proven to be a true asset to our ecosystem, and we are thrilled to have him with us now in Nigeria.

    “I am excited to join the Y’ello family in Nigeria at this exciting time where new technologies are able to shape Customers experience and where digital innovations will be key for national development.”

  • Unionisation: NLC vows to continue picketing MTN

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to continue picketing the premises of telecoms giant MTN, until all its workers are allowed to belong to labour unions of their choice.

    Its President, Ayuba Wabba, who disclosed this in Abuja, flayed the communication company for disallowing unionisation in Nigeria, but allow their workers in South Africa and Ghana to belong to unions of their choice.

    The national umbrella body of workers also blamed the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) for reporting NLC picketing of MTN to the Office of the National Security Adviser, saying such a step was hypocritical and suspicious.

    NLC berated the NCC for not seing anything wrong with the violation of Nigerian laws, labour laws or security breaches leading to the loss of lives of security personnel, not to talk about humongous financial flows as highlighted in the Thabo Mbeki Report, which continue to undermine Nigeria’s national wellbeing or security.

    NLC held that the greatest threat to Nigeria’s national security was  not by workers, but the arrogant attitude of MTN and its co-travellers or collaborators like the NCC.

    It added: “Let NCC continue to promote this talk about MTN infrastructure constituting core critical national asset. We do not begrudge them. For us at the Nigeria Labour Congress, however, no asset can be more critical to Nigeria than Nigerians themselves.”

    NLC warned the NCC that its premises might be picketed on account of its continued support for MTN, saying, “we wish to put NCC on notice that we will picket it the way we picketed MTN if it continues to discharge its duties in the breach. Let it continue with its ‘amebo’ instead of doing the work for which it was established.”

    NLC described itself as a pan-Nigerian organisation, which  guards national interests and that it cannot be blackmailed.

    “We insist that companies, no matter how rich or powerful, must respect our leaders and obey the laws of the land. We insist they must treat Nigerians fairly and decently, for, clearly, Nigerian workers, nay, Nigerians have been at the receiving end of the bad behaviour of some trans-nationals in the telecoms sector. Enough is enough,” it said.

     

  • MTN seals N200b deal with 12 lenders

    Mobile giant MTN Nigeria yesterday in Lagos  signed a seven-year medium term loan agreement of N200 billion  with a consortium of 12 local lenders.

    The deal was sealed at a brief ceremony  at the law office of Alike & Purpose in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The facility will allow the carrier, the largest in the country, to fund its capital expenditure on network expansion, along with evolving business opportunities.

    MTN Nigeria  Chairman Pascal Dozie said the telco has operated in the country for about two decades,  adding that the experience has been great with various innovations from the company.

    Represented by Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, the MTN chair said the telco wouldn’t have been what it is today were it not for the support of the banks.

    MTN Chief Executive Officer Ferdi Moolman was delighted by the deal, saying it signposts the company’s commitment to and confidence in the economy. Moolman said the strategic collaboration between MTN Nigeria and local lenders would deepen and broaden the provision of ICT infrastructure services across the country.

    He said: “The signing of this loan facility is a major landmark in our expansion programme  in which we are making significant investments. The facility will enable us evolve the network to deliver convergent and superior quality, drive voice capacity expansion  and data service penetration, maintain optimal capital structure and funding level that support growth and expansion.

    “Making it possible for people to connect to each other and world,  find and share information and ideas,  create and access new digital services and reimagine old services.  This partnership puts in place infrastructure  that empowers commerce,  industry and provision of public  services.”

    He lauded the participating financial institutions for their commitment  to  the telco, adding that the loan syndication showcased the strength of the Nigerian financial  institutions  and their confidence in MTN’s vision, as well as both parties’ ability to stimulate significant economic growth.

    The facility is structured with a two-year moratorium and a repayment plan of five years and is denominated in  the naira.

    Citibank Nigeria, Diamond Bank, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank Plc First Bank, FCMB, FSDH Merchant Bank,  Rand Merchant Bank,  Standard Chartered Bank,  Stanbic IBTC, UBA and Union Bank are providing the cash for MTN.

    The step will assist MTN to provide optimum services and product for its over 55 million and ever growing  subscriber base in the country.

  • MTN, 12 banks sign N200b medium term loan facility

    Mobile telephone operator MTN on Wednesday signed a seven-year N200 billion medium term loan agreement with a consortium of 12 banks.

    The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr Ferdi Moolman, who made the disclosure at the agreement signing ceremony in Lagos, named FBN Quest the acting facility agent.

    According to Moolman, the completion of the agreement projects MTN’s commitment to and confidence in Nigeria and the strength of its strategic collaboration with local financial institutions.

    He said that the loan would help the operator to deepen and broaden the provision of ICT services in Nigeria.

    “The signing of this loan facility is a major landmark in our expansion programme in which we are making significant investment.

    “The facility will enable us evolve the network to deliver convergent and superior quality, drive voice capacity expansion and data service penetration.

    “It will help us maintain optimal capital structure and funding level that supports growth and expansion.

    “It will also make it possible for people to connect to each other and the world, find and share information and ideas, create and access new digital services and reimagine old services.

    “This partnership puts in place infrastructure that empowers commerce, industry and the provision of public services,’’ the MTN chief said.

    The facility, he said, was structured with a two-year moratorium and a five-year repayment plan denominated in naira.

    Moolman named the syndicate banks as Citibank of Nigeria Ltd., Diamond Bank Plc., Ecobank Nigeria Plc., Fidelity Bank Plc., First Bank of Nigeria Plc. and First City Monument Bank Ltd.

    Other banks are: FSDH Merchant Bank Ltd., Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria Ltd., Standard Chartered Bank Plc., Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc., United Bank for Africa Plc. and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.

    Also speaking, Mr Remi Oni, Executive Director, Corporate Banking of First Bank, said that the signing ceremony showed the conclusion of a thoughtful journey for every bank that was involved.

    “The sum committed shows the value of the services of MTN, and First Bank is committed to supporting its business.

    “Everybody that has come into this loan facility deal is excited because it is a deal that will impact the public.

    Mr Emeka Okonkwo, Executive Director, Union Bank, said the bank’s partnership with MTN was more than just rendering financial services.

    According to Okonkwo, looking back from where MTN is coming from, there is the need to appreciate the impact MTN has made in the industry.

    “As the industry revolves, MTN will play a crucial part and that is why we are going into this partnership with them,’’ he said.

    Mr Adekunle Awobodu, Chief Financial Officer, Finance Division of MTN, said Nigeria’s journey from voice to data required capital investment and as such the loan would be tailored towards that.

    “This movement requires expensive capital investment which the loan facility will aid. It will equally help the modernisation of the network to position it well.

    “The country also wants to expand its broadband penetration and the loan facility providing the needed equipment will see to that.

    “MTN’s focus on improving customer experience with good available networks will be enhanced with investment in the equipment needed,’’ Awobodu said.

  • MTN to support 2018 Osun Osogbo Festival

    As part of its efforts to promote arts and culture in Nigeria, the nation’s leading ICT company, MTN Nigeria will again be supporting the Osun Osogbo Festival this year.

    Set to hold from August 9 to August 25, 2018, the festival will see thousands of local and foreign tourists as well as Osun goddess devotees as they make their way to Osogbo, the capital of Osun State – named after the Osun Grove.

    Celebrated for over a century, the Osun Osogbo Festival, which is a major socio-cultural event of the Osogbo people, was built around the relationship between the river goddess, Osun and the first monarch of Osogbo kingdom, Oba Gbadewolu Laroye.

    Adekunle Adebiyi, the Sales and Distribution Executive, MTN Nigeria said MTN’s support of Osun Osogbo festival is part of its larger initiative, KultureFest.

    “It is always an exciting experience when we get to support festivals every year,” said Adebiyi.

    “We enrich them, make them bigger and better. Osun Osogbo is one of such festivals and we are proud to be a part of the regal event again this year.”

    Reiterating the essence of KultureFest, Adebiyi, added: “KultureFest is a major investment for us. We’ve been supporting festivals for over a decade now as we seek to promote culture and create affinity between the people of Nigerian communities and the MTN brand. We are picking 37 festivals across the country this year and I believe that by next year the number will increase.”

    Through its Kulturefest initiative, the company has established itself as a strong pillar behind major festivals such as Osun Osogbo, Ofala Nnewi, Argungun and Anioma, among other festivals across the country.

  • Again, MTN searches for community project to develop

    MTN Nigeria has launched the third phase of the “What Can We Do Together” project, an initiative geared towards developing grassroots communities through collaborative effort.

    The company said the project is in fulfilling its commitment to improve the quality of lives in communities, through MTN Foundation, its social investment vehicle.

    The mobile firm said the first two phases of the campaign have seen 400 communities in 347 local government areas benefiting from the initiative with 40 communities receiving 500KVA transformers; and another 40 communities receiving 650ft boreholes.

    The first two phases also saw the supply of medical equipment to 80 primary healthcare centres; provision of school furniture sets to 174 schools, and household supplies and equipment to 66 orphanages in different communities in Nigeria.

    The third phase of the campaign is set to begin, and as usual, the foundation plans to enlist the support of Nigerians in order to meet the objective of the initiative. To nominate a community, nominators are required to text ‘MTN Foundation’ to the short code 321, and respond to subsequent questions with ‘MTNF (space) answer.’ Nominators can also fill an online form via http://foundation.mtnonline.co m/do-together

    The nomination is free and open to all Nigerians. All shortlisted nominators will be contacted for verification when approved.

    The What Can We Do Together initiative was first launched in 2015 during the MTN Foundation’s 10th year anniversary. The initiative is aimed at complementing the efforts of the Government in empowering grassroots communities in Nigeria with basic social amenities.

    Speaking on the flag-off of the third phase, the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma said, “At MTN Foundation, we are committed to improving the quality of lives in our communities. It is a mandate we are working steadfastly on and we believe that Nigerians deserve the best. Working with them to achieve this common goal will help make lives easier, better and brighter.”

    She went further to say that “Since the initiative was launched, it has enabled MTN to solve real societal problems, but we couldn’t have done it without the help of the wonderful Nigerian people who gave us the chance to help out in ways that we can, and we hope we can do more in this third phase of the campaign.”

    Nominations are open to all communities within Nigeria, and it closes on Monday 20th August, 2018.

     

  • MTN, Microsoft partner to lift SMEs

    MTN Nigeria and Microsoft Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on creating sustainable and scalable initiatives to drive the growth of  Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment of the Enterprise Business in Nigeria.

    The partnership, will leverage Microsoft’s technologies and MTN’s innovative expertise to create strong value propositions for SMEs. These propositions will address the needs of SMEs around capability development, access to markets and business networks across Africa. It will also tackle some of their challenges through the creation of innovative solutions.

    Top executives from both Microsoft and MTN in attendance signed the MoU.

    The General Manager, Enterprise Marketing at MTN, Mrs. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, expressed the telco’s commitment to the success of businesses, be they SMEs, Large Enterprises or in the public sector.

    She said: “We launched the MTN Man-In-The-Box Initiative to further demonstrate our commitment to the development of businesses and ensure their sustained business growth.”

    She said the Initiative was designed to create and sustain awareness for MTN’s Enterprise Business and its focus to provide and facilitate access to technology, new markets, information and finance for SMEs.

    Country General Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Akin Banuso, said: “Our approach at Microsoft has been one of empowerment and collaboration; we work with SMEs and as we learn from them, this makes us poised to provide tailor-made solutions to the challenges they face on a daily basis.

    “We are excited about this partnership and looking forward to provide support to the SMEs through the Microsoft 4Afrika initiative.