Rob Shutter
THE MTN Group has launched its “We’re good together” initiative.
This is aimed at demonstrating how, in partnering with its host countries, it can change lives by improving digital access, driving financial inclusion, empowering and enabling SMEs, as well as creating jobs and broad community development, among others.
Group CEO and President Rob Shutter notes in a remark: “To harness the potential of Africa and ensure our youth are productively employed, we need affordable, safe and relevant digital services which are matched with the required digital skills. This in turn will support the global development agenda and national priorities. As one of the major infrastructure investors across Africa, MTN through partnership and collaboration can accelerate this digital inclusion.”
According to the company, the global telecommunications industry has made significant progress on the Sustainable Development Goals but more still remained to be done to bridge the digital divide, and MTN is prepared to do its part.
“Over the last 25 years, MTN has built high-speed networks covering 560 million people, created jobs for over five million people and through MTN Mobile Money, connected 30 million people to the benefits of easy, cost-effective mobile financial services across the continent,” said Shutter.
MTN also noted it had worked to use this extensive mobile reach and technology to enable access to education, with the goal of promoting and enabling digital teaching and learning.
“MTN only succeeds if Africa succeeds. Being a partner in development also means that we have a responsibility to enable the youth to unlock economic opportunities in every country we operate in. We have therefore enhanced our focus on more actively demonstrating what can be achieved if we work together to enable a shared value system and drive a prosperous Africa,” added Shutter.