MTN Group has cemented its place as Africa’s undisputed telecommunications giant, becoming the first operator on the continent to surpass 300 million active subscribers.
As of November 2025, the pan-African mobile powerhouse now serves 301.3 million customers across its 16 markets – meaning roughly one in every five Africans carries an MTN SIM card.
With Africa’s total population standing at 1.56 billion and an estimated 416 million active mobile users (excluding children and the elderly), MTN’s footprint has reached an unprecedented scale.
“This is a formative milestone,” said MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita. “Crossing 300 million customers is a testament to the resilience of our people and the deep trust our customers place in us every day.”
Nigeria continues to dominate as the group’s largest market with 85.4 million subscribers, followed by South Africa (39.8 million), Ghana (30.5 million), and Uganda (nearly 30 million). These four markets alone account for more than 185 million users – over 61% of MTN’s total base.
The milestone arrives amid improving economic conditions across several key territories. Easing inflation, reduced currency volatility, and stronger performances by the Ghanaian cedi and South African rand have created a more favourable operating environment.
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MTN seized the moment, ploughing R27.9 billion ($1.634 billion) into network and digital infrastructure during the first nine months of 2025 – maintaining capital intensity at 16.8% of revenue, in line with medium-term guidance.
The investment delivered strong returns, as data traffic surged 26.6%, fintech transactions increased by 13.9%, and overall subscriber growth reached 5.8% year-over-year.
With Africa’s youthful, rapidly urbanising population still coming online in huge numbers, industry observers predict the next 100 million subscribers could join even faster than the last. For now, MTN stands alone at the top – the continent’s clear connectivity champion.
