MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecommunications operator, has achieved a remarkable global milestone by securing the second position in the prestigious 2026 Ranking Digital Rights (RDR) Index. The company becomes the first telecommunications operator headquartered in an emerging market to break into the top three worldwide.
This strong performance underscores MTN’s sustained commitment to transparency, robust governance, and the protection of digital human rights across its operations. The RDR Index serves as the leading global benchmark for how technology and telecommunications companies uphold fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and privacy through their policies, practices, and disclosures.
MTN earned a score of 42 out of 100, climbing impressively from sixth place in the previous ranking. The Group recorded notable improvements across all three main RDR assessment categories, driven by enhanced governance disclosures, the introduction of a comprehensive advertising content policy, and stronger measures for user data protection.
Commenting on the achievement, Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, said: “Our progress in the Ranking Digital Rights Index reflects the deliberate steps we have taken to strengthen governance, enhance transparency, and embed respect for digital human rights across our operations.”
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Morafo emphasised that the journey has been one of continuous evolution. “As the landscape changes, we are deliberately adapting our approach, drawing on lessons from our experiences across markets and strengthening how we translate commitments into practical action,” she added.
Operating in diverse and often complex regulatory environments across Africa, MTN faces the ongoing challenge of balancing rapid digital inclusion with the protection of human rights. The company remains focused on deepening transparency, embedding digital rights principles in every market, and aligning its practices with evolving global standards.
“While we are encouraged by this progress, protecting digital rights is an ongoing responsibility,” Morafo noted. “We will continue refining our approach to address emerging risks and ensure our customers remain at the centre of how we operate.”
