MTN Group CEO Urges Stable Policies to Attract Africa Investment banking

MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita says stable government policies, stronger regional integration and investment in digital infrastructure are essential to unlocking Africa’s long-term economic growth.

African governments must establish stable and predictable policy and regulatory frameworks to attract investment and unlock the continent’s long-term economic potential, MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita has said.

Speaking at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation Winter Seminar, Mupita said Africa investment would depend on governments creating policy certainty that gives businesses the confidence to commit long-term capital.

He argued that Africa’s future prosperity would be driven by expanding economic opportunities, strengthening regional integration and ensuring broader participation in the economy rather than focusing solely on migration.

According to Mupita, governments have a critical role in creating an enabling environment for investment, noting that businesses are more willing to allocate resources where policies and regulations remain clear, stable and consistent.

“The future of Africa will not be determined by the borders that separate us, but by the economic opportunities that connect us. Governments must set predictable policies and regulations. Businesses will follow and allocate resources and capital.

“Together, we can build a continent where opportunity is more evenly shared and prosperity is more widely created,” he said.

The seminar brought together leaders from government, business, the diplomatic community, academia and civil society to examine the relationship between migration, development and Africa’s economic future.

MTN sponsored this year’s event, saying it believes platforms that encourage dialogue among diverse stakeholders are essential to developing practical solutions to the continent’s development challenges.

During a panel discussion, Mupita said migration should be viewed as a consequence of uneven economic development rather than an isolated policy issue.

“If our discussion ends with the language of crisis around migration, we will have treated the symptom and missed the deeper challenge. People move because opportunity is unevenly distributed. The defining question is whether we can build economies in which mobility is matched by opportunity,” he said.

He noted that Africa’s rapidly growing population could become a significant economic advantage if governments invest more in education, skills development, infrastructure, financial systems, markets and institutions that enable people to contribute productively.

Mupita identified digital infrastructure as one of the strongest drivers of economic participation, saying improved connectivity allows more people to access education, entrepreneurship opportunities, financial services, public services and wider markets.

“MTN was born in South Africa and has grown alongside the continent. Our prosperity is inseparable from Africa’s prosperity,” he said.

The MTN chief added that the telecommunications company would continue supporting initiatives that promote evidence-based discussions on issues shaping Africa’s future.

“MTN believes that Africa’s strength lies in its connectivity—not only through networks, but through people, ideas and shared identity. This initiative is about building bridges, not borders,” he said.