Key points
• MTN Group CEO warns that rising Afrophobic sentiments could undermine youth employment and continental integration.
• Calls for stronger economic cooperation and protection of pan-African investments across African markets.
• Experts caution that retaliatory actions may disrupt key digital and financial ecosystems across the continent.
Main story
The President and Chief Executive Officer of MTN Group, Ralph Mupita, has warned that rising Afrophobic sentiments across parts of Africa pose a serious threat to youth employment, economic integration and the continent’s long-term development agenda.
Mupita issued the warning in a statement ahead of the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation dialogues, amid growing social media campaigns and public tensions linked to anti-immigrant protests in South Africa.
He stressed that Africa’s youthful population remains its greatest economic asset, noting that the continent must channel its demographic advantage into productivity, innovation and inclusive economic growth rather than division and retaliatory actions.
According to him, embracing the digital economy is critical to transforming Africa’s “youth bulge” into a meaningful economic dividend capable of driving sustainable development.
“The MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer said Africa’s demographic profile presents enormous opportunities if governments and businesses invest in skills, innovation and digital inclusion for young people.”
The MTN chief also cautioned that attacks on pan-African businesses could weaken industries that provide jobs, investments and essential infrastructure across multiple countries.
He noted that companies operating across African borders play a strategic role in advancing regional cooperation and supporting the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The issues
Recent tensions surrounding migration and nationality-based grievances in some African countries have raised concerns about the stability of cross-border business operations and regional economic cooperation.
Analysts warn that Afrophobic narratives and retaliatory boycotts could undermine key sectors such as telecommunications, fintech and e-commerce, which rely heavily on seamless continental integration.
Such disruptions, they argue, could negatively affect millions of livelihoods dependent on digital platforms and cross-border investments.
What’s being said
Mupita emphasised that MTN’s operations reflect its pan-African identity, with the majority of its earnings generated outside South Africa.
“MTN makes less than 20 per cent in South Africa and makes 80 per cent of our earnings elsewhere,” he said.
He added that while the company had not experienced direct operational impact, it remained sensitive to developments in key markets such as Nigeria and Ghana.
Mupita further called for greater social solidarity, stronger institutions and respect for the rule of law as essential pillars for Africa’s future prosperity.
“The future of Africa depends on greater social solidarity, increasing economic integration and the observance of the rule of law,” he said.
What’s next
Stakeholders across business, policy and civil society are expected to deepen conversations around migration, regional cooperation and economic integration under the framework of AfCFTA.
There are also growing calls for governments to strengthen protections for cross-border investments and ensure that digital infrastructure remains insulated from political and social tensions.
Bottom line
The warning from MTN’s leadership underscores growing concerns that Afrophobic sentiments could undermine Africa’s economic integration and digital transformation agenda. Experts say sustaining unity and protecting cross-border businesses will be key to securing jobs and unlocking the continent’s long-term growth potential.
