As South Africa continues to grapple with heated debates over migration, MTN Group has warned that growing hostility toward foreign nationals could have far-reaching consequences for businesses, investment and the movement of skilled workers across the African continent.
The telecommunications giant believes that limiting cross-border mobility risks undermining regional economic integration, an essential pillar of its operations and long-term growth strategy.
Pan-African Business Model Relies on Cross-Border Movement
MTN has expanded into one of Africa’s largest telecommunications providers, serving more than 312 million customers across 19 countries in Africa and the Middle East.
Because much of the company’s expansion has taken place outside South Africa, its leadership says the free movement of people, skills and businesses remains critical to sustaining economic development throughout the continent.
Executives argue that increasing anti-immigrant rhetoric threatens the collaborative environment that has enabled companies like MTN to grow across multiple African markets.
Migration Tensions Spread Beyond South Africa
The debate has intensified following months of attacks on foreign-owned businesses, forced removals of migrants and heightened political rhetoric ahead of South Africa’s local government elections scheduled for November.
Several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Eswatini, have responded by evacuating some of their citizens after the anti-immigration activist group March and March Movement reportedly issued undocumented migrants with a deadline to leave South Africa.
These developments have attracted attention across MTN’s regional footprint, particularly in countries where the company has significant operations.
MTN Urges Focus on Economic Opportunity
Speaking during the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation’s Winter Seminar on migration, MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita argued that migration should not be viewed solely as a crisis.
Instead, he said governments should address the underlying economic inequalities that encourage people to move in search of better opportunities.
According to Mupita, creating stronger economies capable of generating jobs and expanding opportunities would help balance mobility across the continent rather than restricting it.
CEO Shares Personal Migration Story
Mupita also reflected on his own experience as a migrant, explaining that he has lived in South Africa for 35 years after moving from Zimbabwe.
He described his family ties stretching across several African countries, including Mozambique, Malawi and Angola, saying his background reflects the interconnected nature of the continent.
For Mupita, his personal journey mirrors MTN’s identity as a company established in South Africa that has grown into a pan-African telecommunications leader.
Business Success Linked to Continental Prosperity
The MTN chief argued that Africa’s long-term future depends less on national borders and more on creating shared economic opportunities.
He called on governments to provide consistent policies and regulatory certainty, saying businesses are more likely to invest where there is stability and confidence.
Mupita maintained that stronger cooperation between governments and the private sector would help create broader prosperity across Africa.
MTN Chairman Rejects Migration as Economic Scapegoat
MTN Chairman Mcebisi Jonas said blaming migrants for South Africa’s economic challenges ignores the country’s deeper structural problems.
He argued that weak economic growth, governance failures, infrastructure shortcomings, educational challenges and inequality would remain even if all foreign nationals left the country.
Jonas also warned that South Africa sends mixed signals by welcoming African investment while simultaneously displaying hostility toward African workers and entrepreneurs.
Skills Mobility Seen as Key to Competitiveness
Jonas further noted that South Africa continues to lose skilled professionals through emigration while making it difficult for qualified foreign workers to remain in the country.
He suggested that this contradiction weakens the country’s ability to compete in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
Investing in Young Africans Remains Essential
The seminar also highlighted the importance of equipping Africa’s growing youth population with modern skills.
Dr. Ishmael Yamson, Chairman of MTN Ghana’s Board, said Africa’s demographic growth can only become an economic advantage if governments invest heavily in digital education, entrepreneurship, technical expertise and leadership development.
According to Yamson, transforming the continent’s expanding population into a highly skilled workforce will be essential for Africa’s future competitiveness and long-term economic success.
