MTN invests R19.7 billion in expanding African communications networks in H1

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 24, MTN Group announced its operational progress for the first half of 2026. As of June 30, the company had completed R19.7 billion in capital expenditure across African markets, with a capex intensity of 16.6% excluding leases. The funds were primarily used to expand mobile network capacity and coverage, improve network quality, connect home broadband users, and upgrade IT platforms.

During the same period, MTN's mobile subscribers increased to 317.7 million, while active data users grew by 9.1% to 179.3 million. Data traffic surged 22.8% year-on-year to 14.3PB, and average data usage per user rose to 13.6GB. The group's data service revenue grew by 29.2% on a constant currency basis, reaching R57.6 billion.

Home broadband is one of the key focus areas in this round of network construction. MTN's active home subscribers grew 58.2% year-on-year, with the company selectively deploying fiber-to-the-home networks in urban areas and leveraging 4G and 5G fixed wireless access to expand coverage. MTN Nigeria's home broadband network rollout and subscriber connections have exceeded the original plan, with fiber-to-the-home growing faster than fixed wireless access.

On the backbone network front, MTN's subsidiary Bayobab continued expanding its terrestrial fiber network across Africa, with external revenue growing 37.2% year-on-year in the first half. The company is collaborating with Africa50 to advance the Africa East-West fiber project, building open-access infrastructure that connects different regions and submarine cable landing stations.

MTN is also advancing its acquisition of the remaining approximately 75% stake in IHS Holding. The transaction values IHS at around $6.2 billion, and upon completion, MTN will indirectly control nearly 29,000 communication towers operated by IHS in Africa. IHS shareholders approved the deal in August, and certain regulatory approvals are still required. MTN expects the transaction to be completed in the second half of 2026. Conditions imposed by Nigerian regulators include MTN selling up to 30% of IHS Nigeria's equity to local investors at market prices in the future.