MTN FOUNDATION - BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE FOR A SMARTER SOUTH AFRICA

As digital transformation reshapes economies and societies, education stands as the foundation for progress. South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030 underscores the critical role of partnerships in driving inclusive growth, reducing inequality, and improving educational outcomes. Leading this charge is the MTN SA Foundation, whose forward-thinking initiatives in digital education and youth empowerment are bridging gaps and transforming lives.

Through innovation and collaboration, MTN is empowering the next generation with the digital skills they need to thrive.

Empowering Youth Through Digital Education

MTN believes in the power of technology to create opportunities. Recognising the importance of digital literacy, the foundation invests in initiatives that equip learners with the skills needed to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

A key initiative is the MTN Online School, an e-learning platform providing curriculum-aligned educational content. Designed to reach even the most underserved communities, this platform ensures learners can access quality lessons and resources, bridging the digital divide in education. To further enhance learning, over 400 multimedia centres have been established in rural and disadvantaged areas. These centres serve as digital learning hubs, providing access to computers, internet connectivity, and study resources.

Developing Future-Ready Skills

MTN’s Digital Skills Academy equips young people with high-demand digital and entrepreneurial skills, including coding, business development, and digital literacy. These programmes offer practical training to enhance employability and prepare youth for the modern workforce.

Further supporting young learners, MTN’s mentorship and career guidance programmes provide internships, career counselling, and post-matric transition support, ensuring a seamless journey from education to employment.

Recognising Excellence and Supporting Matriculants

At the recent matric results announcement ceremony, MTN, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, honoured top achievers by providing laptops, financial assistance, and data connectivity to support their next phase of learning.

Extending this support to provincial results events, MTN equipped over 290 top-performing learners with digital tools, reinforcing its commitment to academic excellence.

Expanding Digital Access with ‘Connecting Every Child’

The ‘Connecting Every Child’ initiative, part of the 2025 back-to-school campaign, aims to collect and distribute smart devices to underprivileged learners in quintile 1 to 3 schools. By encouraging corporate and individual contributions, MTN is ensuring that more learners gain access to digital education, enabling them to compete in the modern economy.

With strong backing from various stakeholders, this initiative continues to drive education equity, inviting more partners to pledge support through the ForGood platform.

A Commitment to Long-Term Educational Transformation

MTN’s investment in education and youth empowerment extends beyond corporate responsibility -it is a strategic commitment aligned with South Africa’s national development goals. Through technology-driven education solutions, the foundation is preparing learners for the future, equipping them with the skills and tools to navigate a digital world.

As 2025 unfolds, MTN remains dedicated to bridging the digital divide, supporting learners, and driving innovation in education. By investing in sustainable solutions, the foundation is building a smarter, more connected South Africa, ensuring that every child has an opportunity to succeed.