MTN added almost 4.1 million new group subscriber in the first quarter of the year.
This according to a quarterly update from the telco for the three months to 31 March 2018.
MTN saw its group subscriber numbers grow by 1.9% quarter-on-quarter (QOQ) to 221.3 million. However on a year-on-year (YOY) basis the group's subscribers actually declined by 6.5% from 236.8 million at the end of March 2017.
Active MTN Mobile Money customers also increased by 3.9% QOQ to 22.7 million while Mobile Money revenue increased by 52.4% YOY.
"During the quarter, the group continued to focus on operational execution across our markets, leveraging off the strong network investment of the past few years," said MTN group president and CEO, Rob Shuter.
Group service revenue increased by 9.1% YOY, on constant currency basis, led by growth in Nigeria and Ghana.
Group data revenue increased by 26.9% YOY, while group voice revenue also grew by 5.4% benefitting from strong growth in Nigeria and Ghana of 15.2% and 20.6% respectively.
"Group data revenue grew by 26.9% as we executed on our dual-data strategy, ensuring appropriate data coverage across our footprint. Digital service revenue is a material opportunity for the group, led by MTN Mobile Money and rich-media services," according to MTN group president and CEO, Rob Shuter.
Group voice traffic, i.e. billable minutes, increased by 24.2% and total data traffic increased by 56.7%.
MTN's three biggest markets all saw growth in service revenue with MTN South Africa increasing service revenue by 2.5%; MTN Nigeria grew by 14.4%; and MTN Irancell increased service revenue by 15.2%.
