Telecom
MTN Group Hits 200m Subscribers in 22 Countries
MTN Group has marked its 200 million subscriber milestone by announcing a bold R200 million initiative to improve the quality of education across its markets in Africa and the Middle East over the next two years.
MTN reaching the 200 million subscriber mark comes a year before it celebrates 20 years of connecting people and economies, from South Africa – the launch pad – to South Sudan, its most recent market.
As a multinational telecommunications company operating in emerging markets, MTN has a particular opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to social development, said Sifiso Dabengwa, President and CEO, MTN Group.
“Due to the lack of access to quality education and infrastructure, and low literacy rates in most of these countries, MTN has chosen to direct a significant amount of its corporate social (CSI) spend towards education over the next two year. This will provide people with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to make positive decisions about their lives,” said Dabengwa.
MTN runs a comprehensive multi-country CSI programme through MTN Foundations spanning education, health and other national priorities.
A grand total of R193 million was spent in these three areas during 2012. Going forward, the company will scale up its contribution towards building knowledge economies in its markets by investing in more education initiatives aimed at empowering learners and teachers using ICTs and mobile learning.
As seen in MTN’s 2013 interim results released today, MTN is a growth company with a solid performance record and an aspirational vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to its customers.
It will continue to share the fruits of its success with customers and communities through, among others, offering affordable and innovative services, as well as investing in social upliftment and network infrastructure to improve the quality of its services.
“We are grateful to our customers for their loyalty and contribution to the growth of the MTN brand over the years. Using that feedback, MTN is making significant investments towards improving the quality of our service, while also providing solutions designed to make a real difference in the lives of our customers,” added Dabengwa.
The MTN brand has achieved great prominence over the years. For two consecutive years, MTN emerged as the highest ranked African brand in the prestigious Millward-Brown Brandz Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands 2013 survey.
Most recently, MTN emerged as South Africa’s most valuable brand in this year’s BrandFinance Most Valuable Brands Survey, for a second consecutive year.
“The award is further acknowledgement of our on-going efforts to enhance customer experience in the various touch-points in the markets,” said Dabengwa.
To achieve this ambition, which will allow MTN to provide a seamless service experience to customers across its markets, the company has launched a project aptly called ‘Perfect 10’.
Already launched in Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia and South Africa, the initiative aims to give customers a 10 out of 10 experience of the MTN network, products and services.
Benefits of the programme are already filtering through to customers. In Ghana, for example, where the programme was first launched, feedback received in the early stages of implementation has been very positive.
Looking ahead, Dabengwa said the company’s new vision, to lead the delivery of a bold new Digital World, and mission to make our customers’ lives a whole lot brighter, has positioned MTN well for further growth into the future.
“MTN’s previous vision ‘to be the leader in telecommunications in emerging markets’ has largely been achieved. The need for a broader digital offering led MTN to refresh its vision and mission and refine its strategic objectives. We believe MTN is now ready for the next frontier of growth – digital services. And we are humbled that over 200 million of our subscribers are embarking on this journey with us, to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world.”
Telecom
20 Years of Digital Leadership: Layer3’s Legacy and the Road Ahead

In 2005, few could have predicted that a small Nigerian technology company would evolve into one of Africa’s most trusted IT infrastructure, cloud, and cybersecurity brands. Today, Layer3 celebrates 20 years of doing just that, transforming IT from a technical necessity into a strategic advantage for enterprises, governments, and innovators across the continent.
The Foundation: Trust Earned, Not Assumed
The Layer3 story begins where every great enterprise story should, with trust.
Over two decades, Layer3 has earned a reputation for reliability in a sector defined by change. Across multiple industries: finance, energy, health, government, and telco, clients have turned to Layer3 not only for solutions, but for peace of mind.
As Layer3’s CEO, Oyaje Idoko, succinctly puts it, “Uptime, SLAs, fast response, fixing issues permanently, that’s what real IT service means, that’s what we built Layer3 to deliver. However, it’s not just about systems, it’s about people. Our team is the backbone of that promise: engineers, support staff, and every Layeron who shows up every day to make excellence a standard, not an exception.”
From deploying core network infrastructure, distributed branch networks, and disaster recovery solutions for banks, telcos, and large enterprises, to ensuring uninterrupted cloud infrastructure for Africa’s fastest-growing startups, Layer3 has become synonymous with business continuity at enterprise scale.
The Powerhouse: Innovation Without Compromise
While trust laid the foundation, innovation became the fuel. In 2019, Layer3 launched Layer3Cloud, Nigeria’s first locally owned enterprise-grade cloud platform. At the time, many questioned whether Nigerian businesses were ready to migrate from on-premise infrastructure or to host their data locally. Five years later, Layer3Cloud is powering banks, fintechs, large enterprises, and governments, delivering secure, elastic, and scalable compute power at home.
Beyond cloud, Layer3 has continued to evolve with the times:
- Fiber infrastructure rollouts that connect enterprises and residences to the future.
- Enterprise-grade zero-trust cybersecurity frameworks deployed across financial and public institutions.
- AI-driven and software-defined network solutions through partnerships with global OEMs like Juniper Networks, HPE, Cisco, and Fortinet.
Behind every innovation is a team of engineers whose brilliance is matched only by their resilience.
Reflecting on Layer3’s journey, Oyaje Idoko highlighted the often-overlooked role of technical talent, “Behind every seamless connection and resolved incident is a network engineer who’s worked through the night, responded to a 3am call, and made sure systems stay up when it matters most. Shake their hand and ask them about routing, about switching. These are the unsung heroes powering Africa’s digital future. Indeed, Layer3’s engineers don’t just build networks, they build nations.”
The Shield: Defending Africa’s Digital Economy
In today’s world, trust and innovation mean nothing without security and at Layer3, cybersecurity isn’t just a service, it’s a mindset.
“We’ve built an elite team of cyber defenders, and we’re still growing. We defend banks, telcos, governments and organizations of all types and sizes. If you’re in Africa and serious about protecting your business, you should be speaking to Layer3”, says Godwin Michaels, Layer3 CTO.
Layer3 is at the frontline of defending Africa’s most sensitive data. From real-time threat intelligence and incident response to managed SIEM and penetration testing, the company is quietly but forcefully defending Nigeria’s digital borders.
This commitment has earned Layer3 the loyalty of institutions where downtime isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a national risk.
Layer3 has also been recognized multiple times over the years as a leading player in the IT space across Africa.
Two Decades of Impact: Highlights at a Glance
Year Milestone
2005 Layer3 founded in Abuja, Nigeria as a Virtual Network Operator
2007 Expanded to Lagos and rolled out last-mile fiber infrastructure across Abuja and Lagos
2008 Expanded into enterprise networking and managed services
2015 Launched cybersecurity division
2019 Launched Layer3Cloud, Nigeria’s premier local cloud platform
2021 Rolled out Layer3Fiber, an FTTH service expanding broadband to homes and small businesses
2025 Celebrates 20 years with thousands of projects completed across sub-Saharan Africa and counting
Shaping Africa’s Digital Future: The Road Ahead for Layer3
As Layer3 enters its third decade, its sights are set higher: expansion into new African markets, hybrid cloud deployments, AI-driven network infrastructure, digital public infrastructure solutions, and most importantly, developing the next generation of African tech talent.
According to Oyaje, “Layer3 was built on the belief that African businesses deserve world-class technology delivered by people who understand the terrain. That vision hasn’t changed, it’s only gotten bigger.”
From a startup with a dream to a national asset securing the future, Layer3 has become more than a technology company, it’s a legacy of excellence.
To our clients, partners, regulators, and Layerons, thank you for 20 years of belief.
Here’s to 20 more years of trust, innovation, and impact.
We are Layer3. We deliver peace of mind.
Telecom
Y’ello Care’s 21-Day Campaign Bridges Digital Divide for Thousands Nationwide

In a nation where the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector contributed a 19.78% to Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Q2 2024, the recently concluded Y’ello Care initiative, which ran from June 1 to June 21 2025, has demonstrated how digital tools can transform lives at the grassroots level.
This year’s program, themed ‘Connecting at the Roots,’ directly aligns with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020-2030, which seeks to leverage digital technology for comprehensive economic growth.
Y’ello Care’s focused efforts are crucial in bridging the existing digital divide, especially given that while mobile phone penetration has reached 84%, equitable access and digital literacy remain key challenges for many of Nigeria’s over 163 million internet users.
At the core of the employee volunteerism initiative was a comprehensive approach to digital inclusion. The program delivered extensive training and empowerment sessions covering vital areas such as digital literacy, artificial intelligence, financial inclusion, content creation and monetisation, personal branding and employability.
A significant component of the initiative involved the donation of essential technological resources. Over 86 desktop computers and 133 learning devices were distributed, providing tangible tools for education and skill development.
Furthermore, the deployment of over 400 connectivity tools, including routers and MiFi devices, has significantly enhanced internet access, laying the groundwork for sustainable digital engagement.
To complement these efforts, thousands of branded kits, educational supplies, and business support items were also distributed, directly aiding beneficiaries in their learning and entrepreneurial pursuits.
These tangible contributions directly address the infrastructure gaps that hinder digital inclusion, particularly in underserved communities.
Solar power infrastructure was installed in selected schools, ensuring sustainable access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) even in areas with unreliable power grids.
The impact of this 21-day intensive program is evident in its impressive reach. The initiative directly benefited over 8,932 individuals across diverse communities, schools, and health centres. The Medical Official of Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Area (one of the beneficiaries of the Y’ello Care programme), Dr Akintayo Akintoba Adebayo, expressed profound admiration for the recent donation by the company. He said he was “speechless” at the positive developments unfolding daily in the area and noted that the donated items were essential medical supplies poised to significantly enhance healthcare delivery in the local government.
This undertaking was made possible by the dedication of over 1,145 staff and volunteer facilitators, who committed more than 3,947 volunteer hours across 18 divisions and national sessions.
Their collective efforts underscore the power of human connection in driving digital transformation and creating lasting positive change.
In conclusion, the Y’ello Care initiative stands as a powerful testament to the potential of collaborative efforts in addressing societal challenges. By combining technological innovation with dedicated human support, this and similar programmes bridge digital divides and empower countless individuals, fostering a more inclusive and digitally literate society from the ground up.
Telecom
Court to Decides on 9Mobile Ownership Tussle September 24

Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 24 to rule on several applications in the case of Abubakar Ismaila Isa, a businessman, who claims that his 43 million shares were allegedly transferred to Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited, operating under the trade name 9mobile, without his consent.
The matter before Justice Mohammed Umar on Wednesday, was filed by Isa’s legal team led by Femi Atteh, SAN, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1971/2024.
The plaintiff seeks an order declaring him the “beneficial owner of the 43,000,000 (forty-three million) ordinary shares held in trust for him by the 1st Defendant (Seltrix Limited) in the capital of the 3rd Defendant (Teleology Nigeria Limited).”
He accused Seltrix Limited of purportedly transferring the said shares to 9mobile without his consent, resulting in the alleged illegal change of control of 9mobile to LH Telecommunication Limited by the Corporate Affairs Commission and Nigerian Communications Commission.
Joined as defendants in the suit are Seltrix Limited, Hayatu Hassan Hadeija, Teleology Nigeria Limited, Mohammed Edewor, Emerging Markets Telecommunications Limited, CAC, NCC, LH Telecommunication Limited and General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (Rtd) (first to ninth defendants).
A counter-affidavit sworn to and filed on behalf of Seltrix Limited, Hadejia had described the plaintiff’s application as a reckless abuse of the court process.
He urged the court to dismiss the application and award substantial costs against the plaintiff.
He also demanded concrete evidence of any trusteeship arrangement involving him or Seltrix Limited concerning the alleged N43 million ordinary shares in the capital of the third defendant, Teleology Nigeria Limited, or any matter related to the suit.
Hadejia stated that the plaintiff’s motion, dated 27 January but filed on 28 January, was a fabrication designed to mislead the court.
At the resumed hearing, Michael Aôndoakaa, SAN, counsel for Teleology, 9mobile, and others, drew the court’s attention to his preliminary objections, asking the court to strike out the case for “being statute-barred” as it was filed out of the stipulated time required.
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