By Abidemi Samuel
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In a significant development, MTN Group, a South African-owned mobile telecommunications provider, has announced the sale of its Guinea operations to the State of Guinea, marking its final exit from the market. The sale was concluded on December 30, 2024, and aligns with MTN’s focus on portfolio optimisation and simplification, a key component of its Ambition 2025 strategy.
MTN Group President and CEO, Ralph Mupita, commented on the sale, stating, “This milestone marks a new phase for MTN Guinea-Conakry under local ownership, and MTN thanks the staff, customers, regulators, and broader stakeholders in Guinea for their support during our operational tenure in the country.”
Mupita further explained that the decision to exit the Guinea market was based on MTN’s assessment of how the portfolio fits within its risk management framework. He noted that the group evaluates each market’s ability to fund its growth sustainably and that the moment a business cannot fund its own growth sustainably, “we have to assess portfolio fit yes or no.”
In August 2024, Mupita elaborated on the group’s rationale for disposing of operations in Guinea-Conakry and Guinea-Bissau, stating that some markets are difficult due to their subscale or small size, making it challenging for MTN to fund their growth. He emphasized that the group looks for markets where it can make a difference and deliver long-term growth and returns.
The sale of MTN’s Guinea operations to the State of Guinea marks a significant shift in the country’s telecommunications landscape. As MTN exits the market, the State of Guinea will take over the operations, ensuring continuity of services for customers.
MTN’s decision to exit the Guinea market is part of its broader strategy to simplify its portfolio and focus on markets where it can deliver long-term growth and returns. The group’s Ambition 2025 strategy aims to drive growth, improve profitability, and enhance its position as a leading telecommunications provider in Africa.
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