MTN Group Addresses DoJ Grand Jury Probe, Confirms No Charges Filed
MTN Group is respectfully defending cases brought against it by plaintiffs in the United States, as the company was not involved in those tragic events, and maintains that the plaintiffs have sued the wrong defendants in the wrong courts.
MTN Group has reaffirmed its commitment to ethical business practices, human rights, and compliance with international law, while confirming that it is cooperating with a U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) grand jury investigation. The inquiry relates to MTN Group, its former subsidiary in Afghanistan, and its minority investment in Irancell.
The company emphasized that it has not been charged with any violations of law and continues to voluntarily respond to information requests through its external U.S. counsel. MTN noted that it exited its Afghanistan business in early 2024.
MTN has held a minority investment in Irancell since 2006, which is not under its operational control. In line with the current sanctions regime against Iran, the company has neither deployed additional capital into the business nor extracted dividends or other capital.
The telecoms operator highlighted that it maintains a robust ethics and compliance programme designed to ensure adherence to international trade and sanctions regulations. It also expressed sympathy for those who have suffered during the tragic conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. MTN is defending legal cases brought against it in the United States, maintaining that it was not involved in those events and arguing that the plaintiffs have sued the wrong defendants in the wrong jurisdiction.
Despite the ongoing legal processes, MTN continues to deliver strong operational and financial performance. The group currently serves 298 million customers across 16 markets and remains focused on its strategic purpose of enabling the benefits of a modern connected life while leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.
MTN reaffirmed its commitment to respecting and protecting human rights across its markets, noting that its digital products and services play an important role in advancing these rights. The company pledged to continue engaging transparently and constructively with authorities and to uphold the highest standards of ethical business conduct.
