MTN CONGO
Promoting digital inclusion through continued investment
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Congo’s Connectivity Champion MTN Congo continues to promote digital inclusion across the country through numerous investments in the likes of mobile money, content streaming and affordable smartphones Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Vivek Valmiki In Africa, the infrastructure 50 percent in 4G. problem is significant, and This translates into almost 2.5 the Congo is no exception million customers leveraging the firm’s to the rule. network, a network which accounts for “You are not unaware that in Africa, 67 percent of voice traffic, 69 percent of interpersonal exchanges are the pillar of internet users and 1.3 million mobile and society. As a result, telecommunications mobile money users. has become the largest facilitator and Such numbers are the result of contributing to its development is an sustained investment since Ouattara exciting goal. All this gives us a great became CEO. sense of pride when we do it well.” More than 80 billion Congolese For Djibril Ouattara, CEO of francs ($48.4 million) has been spent MTN Congo, connectivity is key on numerous projects since 2015, to socioeconomic adding to the $90 million enablement. invested in the WACS Leading the company submarine cable which (part of South Africa’s has enabled enhanced MTN Group) since 2015, connectivity between he has overseen a period Africa and the rest of the of growth which has seen world. more Congolese citizens “The objective of and businesses connected this operation was to than ever before – MTN improve consumer data Congo is present in 190 services,” Ouattara says. localities and currently “In addition to submarine covers more than 92 fibre, we have connected percent of the Congolese all our high-traffic radio population in second sites to the core of the generation technologies network via the so-called (2G), 78 percent in 3G and Djibril Ouattara, CEO Metro optical fibre.
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“This means we can also connect companies with their offshore sites or headquarters or our data centre, if they decide to be hosted by us. In addition to fibre, we have two backbones in microwave links between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.”
In the area of content distribution, MTN Congo was the first to launch an LTE network into the market and has been adding streaming capability through its 4G deployment. Its video streaming service Tele Na Ngai, meaning My TV in local language, allows users to watch local Redefining the possible and international TV as well as movies, For consumers, MTN Congo is music, religious content and much broadening their horizons in a number more content relevant to the local of ways under its CHASE strategy, market. Tele Na Ngai is the number with three examples including mobile one streaming platform in Congo money, content streaming and with a subscription and usage level provision of a budget smartphone. that exceeds the most popular global Regarding the former, around half streaming platforms. of MTN Congo customers utilise such To address the second pillar of services, with 93 percent of electronic CHASE (handset), MTN Congo financial transactions completed via partnered with KaiOS to launch a 3G the company’s network. These services smart feature phone costing just $20, are free and accessible on all types of half the price of a typical entry level phone, supported by infrastructure smartphone. which ensures accounts are safe and “In February we launched MTN transactions are traceable (and stored Smart in Congo, the first of its kind for 10 years). in the market and bundled with free “In Congo, only eight percent of internet access to enable everyone the adult population have access to access the new world of digital to traditional bank accounts,” says services MTN is creating,” Ouattara Ouattara. “MTN Mobile Money is a adds. solution which can provide these vital All of these developments have services to the 92 percent who have enabled MTN Congo to offer a superior been excluded from the traditional service, one which is supplemented financial system.” by multiple channels of customer feedback. “Our concern to maintain a quality relationship with our subscribers has led us to significantly improve our network to make it the best in the country,” Ouattara continues. “We have invested considerably in MTN Congo the fluidity of services and also in our launched its corporate commitment through the CHASE strategy “PO Na YO” campaign “SAMU NA in September NGE”, which means “we stand for 2018 to help you”. This is a commitment we have bridge the digital made to our subscribers to offer them divide. It stands the best services available.” for: Coverage,
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Handset, Affordability, Service, Education.
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Uplifting society
MTN Congo’s 250 direct employees are responsible for delivering such a service, a cohort which has proudly
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mploi Service offre un service de qualité dans la mise à disposition du personnel et la prestation pour toutes entreprises se trouvant dans son réseau de couverture et même au-delà. Nos 25 ans d’expérience et notre pole position sous régionale (Afrique Centrale) nous permettent d’avoir une assise et une matière considérable à satisfaire nos clients. Plus globalement, nous sommes au service de tous nos partenaires actuels et futurs, quel que soit votre secteur d’activité, faites confiance aux professionnels au service de l’emploi que nous sommes.
www.emploiservice.cm remained intact despite recent economic hardships which have forced many businesses to make staff redundant. Known as MTN’ers, the company’s employees are its most important resource and invested in heavily through training programmes in order to remain knowledgeable, competitive and motivated. The company has also been able to continue contributing to the community via its CSR activities. The MTN Congo Foundation, which is funded by one percent of the firm’s profits, has carried out several projects and programmes to date, including the construction of a medical and social centre for the elderly at a cost of more than $300,000, the site being renovated this year. Another recent development is the Y’ello Start Up programme, a project which aims to identify and support the three best ideas in entrepreneurship creation.
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Indeed, it is initiatives like this that instils a sense of optimism in Ouattara regarding the future development of the country and the role that MTN Congo has to play, both through its core activities and community-focused contributions. It is the company’s ambition to reach 95 percent of the population by 2G, 90 percent by 3G and 60 percent by 4G over the course of the next year, progress which will naturally lead
to higher internet and smartphone penetration. And although Ouattara admits that there is much work to be done at both political and commercial levels to fully realise Congo’s digital potential, he signs off by stating why he switched to telecoms and joined MTN in the first place. “I missed the adrenaline of telecom,” he says, “so when I had the opportunity to join MTN, I didn’t hesitate because this company represents for me the winning Africa, the Africa that is going global in terms of business management.”
MTN Congo www.mtncongo.net
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MTN Congo S.A. PO Box : 1150 36, avenue Amilcar Cabral Brazzaville Congo www.mtncongo.net
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