MTN Expands Global Partnerships and Innovation at MWC Barcelona

Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026 once again served as one of the most influential gatherings for the global mobile and digital technology ecosystem. For MTN Group,  the event provided a high-level platform to advance strategic partnerships, engage policymakers, showcase innovation across its markets, and reinforce its leadership in Africa’s digital transformation. Across four days of engagements in Barcelona, MTN’s presence focused on accelerating Africa’s digital future through AI-driven networks, digital inclusion, financial ecosystem expansion, infrastructure investment, and strategic industry collaboration.

The event was defined by strong discussions around artificial intelligence, intelligent networks, digital infrastructure, and the need to close the global digital usage gap. Across panels, leadership dialogues, and industry announcements, participants emphasized that connectivity alone is no longer sufficient to drive digital transformation. The next phase of growth is expected to be driven by AI-enabled networks, affordable devices, trusted digital financial ecosystems, and deeper collaboration between industry leaders, policymakers, and technology partners. Against this backdrop, MTN Group’s participation throughout the week reflected its strategic priorities of building intelligent connectivity, expanding financial inclusion, and strengthening Africa’s digital infrastructure.

MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita participated in several high-level discussions during the event, sharing insights on the future of connectivity, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure. During the keynote session titled “Built for What’s Next,” telecom leaders explored how connectivity is becoming more intelligent, adaptive, and human-centric. The session examined how artificial intelligence, cloud-native technologies, and next-generation infrastructure are reshaping both network operations and digital experiences. The panel brought together senior industry leaders, including executives from Jio Platforms, Telecom Italia, Turkcell, and Colt Technology Services, alongside policymakers discussing the global transformation underway.

Mupita also took part in the GSMA Ministerial Programme session “Unlocking AI Readiness Globally,” where government and industry leaders examined how collaboration can accelerate AI adoption and build the regulatory frameworks needed to support innovation and investment across different regions.

One of the defining moments of the event was the launch of the Africa Pavilion, inaugurated by Africa’s leading telecom CEOs, known as the G6, in collaboration with GSMA Africa.  Mupita joined fellow industry leaders to officially open the pavilion, which represents the first coordinated platform dedicated to showcasing Africa’s digital innovation and telecom ecosystem at the world’s largest mobile industry event. The initiative highlights a collective commitment from African telecom leaders to accelerate digital development through expanded rural connectivity, improved smartphone affordability, scaled digital financial services, the development of African-centric AI capabilities, and stronger digital infrastructure.

The pavilion attracted strong engagement from global stakeholders and served as a focal point for African innovation and collaboration throughout the event. It hosted discussions with policymakers, industry partners, and international stakeholders while reinforcing the ambition of Africa’s telecom leaders to elevate the continent’s digital ecosystem on the global stage. During the week, the G6 leadership group also launched two industry initiatives focused on smartphone affordability and AI language innovation, further highlighting the role of African operators in shaping the continent’s digital future.

Another major announcement during the event was a multi-year partnership between MTN Group and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees  aimed at expanding connectivity for displaced populations. The collaboration will focus on improving access to connectivity, mobile money services, digital skills, and digital identity solutions for refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities across Africa.

“At MTN, we believe everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. Connectivity is not a privilege; it is foundational to dignity, protection and economic participation. When people are forced to flee, digital access becomes critical, it keeps families connected, enables access to assistance, and restores agency. This partnership reflects our conviction that inclusion must be intentional and systemic, especially for the most vulnerable.”

– Nompilo Morafo, Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, MTN Group

“For displaced communities, digital access is essential to protection, resilience and opportunity. It allows people to receive lifesaving information, connect with support networks and rebuild their futures. MTN’s reach and scale across Africa make this collaboration a significant step toward closing the connectivity gap for millions.”

– Kelly T. Clements, Deputy High Commissioner, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

The initiative aligns with the broader Connectivity for Refugees programme, which aims to connect 20 million displaced people by 2030. During the week, the MTN stand also welcomed several high-level visitors, including Syria’s Minister of Communications, who met with MTN leadership to discuss digital infrastructure development and opportunities for international collaboration in the evolving telecom landscape.

Closing Africa’s mobile internet usage gap was another major focus for MTN throughout the event. Despite widespread broadband coverage, millions of people across the continent remain offline due to the high cost of connected devices. Through the GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition, MTN joined industry partners in launching pilot programmes aimed at introducing affordable entry-level 4G smartphones across six African countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The initiative seeks to bring smartphones priced below $40 to market, helping millions gain access to mobile internet services.

“Affordable smartphones are the gateway to digital and financial inclusion, economic opportunity and innovation. 3.1 billion people have mobile coverage but are not connected to the mobile internet. Together with the G6 group of leading African operators, we are sending a clear demand signal to bring low-cost 4G devices to market. In a global context of rising memory costs, governments have an important role in bridging the usage gap. Removing taxes and import duties on entry-level 4G smartphones will be critical to achieving scale.”

– Vivek Badrinath, Director General, GSMA

Another key development announced during the week was the signing of a Strategic Memorandum of Understanding between MTN Group and Huawei.  The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration on next-generation network evolution and intelligent infrastructure. The partnership will focus on AI-driven network operations, home broadband expansion, digital infrastructure development, data monetization, and environmental, social and governance initiatives.

A central aspect of the collaboration involves the evolution toward Level 4 Autonomous Networks, where AI-powered systems will support network planning, deployment, and operations through intelligent agents and automation. The agreement also includes joint innovation through the Huawei-MTN Technology Innovation Lab in South Africa, which will help move new solutions from proof-of-concept to pilot programmes and large-scale commercial deployment.

During the event, MTN also received recognition for its network performance. According to the latest mobile network experience report from Opensignal , MTN secured 11 out of 15 awards in South Africa, including all overall experience awards, four out of five 5G experience awards, the 5G availability award, and a shared reliability experience award. The results highlight the company’s continued investment in network quality and customer experience as demand for mobile data continues to grow. Between the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2025, MTN recorded a 23% increase in mobile data traffic.

Additional recognition came through the Speedtest Awards by Ookla.  MTN Ghana was recognized as the Fastest Mobile Network in Ghana, Best Fixed Network in Ghana, and Top Connectivity Performance in Western Africa. Meanwhile, MTN Nigeria received awards for Fastest 5G Network in Western Africa, Best Mobile Network in Nigeria, and Best Mobile Video Experience in Nigeria, highlighting the company’s ongoing investment in mobile and fixed broadband infrastructure across its markets.

MWC Barcelona also provided an opportunity for MTN leadership to engage with policymakers and regulators on the future of Africa’s digital economy. During the event, Mupita held discussions with Solly Malatsi on the policy environment needed to accelerate digital growth, infrastructure investment, and innovation across the continent. At the opening dinner of the event, Mupita also met with Felipe VI and Pedro Sánchez in his role as Deputy Chairman of the GSMA.

Financial inclusion was another key theme during the event. Serigne Dioum explained during a panel discussion how MTN’s MoMo platform is evolving from a closed wallet into an open financial ecosystem. Interoperability is expanding across MTN’s 14 fintech markets through integrations including wallet-to-wallet transfers, wallet-to-bank connectivity, national payment switches such as Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, cross-border remittance services, merchant platforms, and API-driven ecosystems.

Responsible fintech innovation was also discussed during a panel titled “Scaling Responsibly in Evolving Regulatory Environments.” Nikiwe Tanga highlighted the importance of governance, regulatory alignment, and responsible innovation in ensuring that digital financial ecosystems continue to expand while protecting customers and communities.

Artificial intelligence governance was another topic of discussion during the event. Sylvia Mulinge participated in a panel titled “Managing the Dark Side of AI,” which examined the risks associated with emerging technologies, including deepfakes and data governance challenges. During the week, Mulinge also experienced these risks firsthand when a deepfake video using her likeness circulated online without her consent.

“AI is only as safe as the governance and integrity of the data it learns from. Build that foundation right, and AI becomes a powerful force for good. Get it wrong, and the consequences go beyond business, they touch livelihoods. Regulation is also a key part of the story when talking about this dark side. We must rapidly close the gap between technology advancing fast and rules catching up slowly.”

– Sylvia Mulinge, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Uganda

Reflecting on the company’s strategy following the event, Mupita emphasized the importance of MTN’s long-term approach to digital growth across the continent.

“As I reflect on our own strategy at MTN, a couple of key takeaways stand out. First, we have set the right strategy for the next three to five years as we advance our ‘One MTN, Three Platforms’ approach: an intelligent connectivity business, a fintech business transforming to meet the needs of our customers, and digital infrastructure as a core pillar of our strategy, with continued investment in fiber, data centres, and towers – all increasingly infused with AI as it continues to evolve.”

– Ralph Mupita, Group President & Chief Executive Officer, MTN Group