MTN GlobalConnect Signs R1.6 Billion Fixed External Infrastructure Deals

MTN GlobalConnect, a digital wholesale and infrastructure services company and an operating company in the MTN Group, announced today that it has signed $90.8 million or R1.6 billion in fixed external infrastructure deals.

MTN GlobalConnect has subsidiaries in five African countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Zambia and Kenya).

The MTN subsidiary made further progress to drive its fibreco ambitions and continued to scale its fixed connectivity and wholesale mobility services.

MTN group announced that MTN Global Connect’s external revenue grew by 19.3% YoY to $344.4 million or R6.2 billion, with mobility revenue up by 19.1%.

MTN GlobalConnect is driving MTN’s fibreco ambitions in Africa.

The telco is planning to demerge its Fibre and FinTech businesses and bring third-party investors to unlock value trapped in the company.

“The structural separation of the fibre business is also underway and is targeted for completion in 2024. The key focus is to secure regulatory approvals across key markets,” said MTN.

MTN said connecting and expanding scale infrastructure assets across Africa remained a key priority, with MTN GlobalConnect rolling out 5 157km of new fibre in 2022.

“This brings our total inventory of proprietary fibre to over 105 157km as at 31 December 2022. “

MTN added that MTN GlobalConnect invested significantly in subsea cable systems such as 2Africa, Google Equiano and ACE. MTN GC landed the 45 000km 2Africa cable in South Africa. “This landing is the first in a series of six across five countries: South Africa, Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Ghana. The 2Africa cable east connection will go live during 2023 to bring seamless connectivity across three continents.”

To further diversify our international connectivity, MTN GlobalConnect has partnered with Google for fibre spectrum on the Equiano cable system.

“This cable spans 15 000km and will boost West African capacity and resilience. Our fibre investments enable an increase in data capacity penetration across Africa that meets the growing demand for international connectivity,” said MTN.

“These investments will serve future demands on our ICT, fintech and digital applications.”

MTN added that MTN GlobalConnect has formed a strategic pan-African connectivity partnership with Microsoft. “This partnership will see MTN GC provide access to large-scale infrastructure services that will build capacity for Microsoft to drive digital transformation and enable a connected African continent.”