The President and Chief Executive Officer of MTN Group, Ralph Mupita, has warned that rising Afrophobic sentiments across parts of Africa could undermine youth employment, regional integration, and the continent’s long-term development goals.
Mupita raised the concern in a statement released ahead of the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation dialogues, amid growing social media reactions linked to anti-immigration protests in South Africa.
According to Mupita, Africa’s youthful population remains one of its strongest assets and must be channelled toward innovation, skills development, and economic participation rather than division or exclusion.
He stressed that the digital economy presents a major opportunity to transform Africa’s “youth bulge” into a productive economic advantage.
“MTN believes that embracing the digital economy is essential to turning Africa’s youth population into a dividend for growth,” he said.
The MTN Group CEO warned that rising hostility toward foreign nationals and multinational companies could damage industries that currently provide employment and infrastructure across the continent.
He noted that businesses operating across African borders play a critical role in advancing regional trade and supporting the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mupita cautioned that targeting pan-African companies could weaken investment flows and disrupt essential services.
Mupita highlighted MTN’s broad operational presence across Africa, noting that the company’s earnings are largely generated outside South Africa.
“Less than 20 per cent of MTN’s revenue comes from South Africa, while about 80 per cent is generated in other African markets,” he said.
He added that the company remains attentive to developments in key markets, including Nigeria and Ghana, but said no direct operational disruptions have been recorded so far.
The MTN boss emphasized that Africa’s progress depends on stronger cooperation, peaceful engagement, and respect for the rule of law.
He argued that dialogue and inclusive policies are more effective than retaliation or corporate targeting in addressing migration-related tensions.
According to him, protecting migrants, investments, and cross-border commerce is essential for sustainable development and shared prosperity.
Analysts have also warned that retaliatory actions against multinational firms could disrupt critical sectors such as telecommunications, fintech, and e-commerce, which support millions of jobs across Africa.
They further noted that deeper cooperation and economic integration under the AfCFTA framework would help unlock Africa’s full digital and economic potential.
