• Friday, March 29, 2024
businessday logo

BusinessDay

MTN proposes $1.6bn investment to strengthen operation in Nigeria

MTN proposes $1.6bn investment to strengthen operation in Nigeria

The MTN Group on Tuesday disclosed that it is now set to invest $1.6b to strengthen its operation in Nigeria.

This is as President Muhammadu Buhari assured the group of Federal Government’s commitments to providing an enabling environment for businesses to succeed in the country

The President stated this when he received the Chairman, MTN Group, Mcebisi Jonas, at State House, Abuja, adding that “partnerships between the public and private sectors remain the most viable means of bringing prosperity to the masses”

President Buhari also applauded the firm’s proposed rural telephony project, which he said “will surely complement our economic diversification and financial inclusion programs by connecting the producers based in rural areas to consumers located in our major towns and cities,”

“I am pleased to hear of the progress you are making in Nigeria, especially in supporting our digital inclusion programs.

President Buhari said his government was looking at ways to increase the level of security across critical national infrastructure, noting that it would guarantee seamless service delivery and also facilitate investments across the country.

The President noted further that Nigeria is Africa’s largest telecommunications market, and MTN’s largest market, adding: “Our hope is for operators like MTN to continue to focus on delivering quality service at reasonable prices. If we put our minds together, such win-win positions are achievable.”

The MTN Group Chairman said he was visiting along with top executives of the telecoms company to show appreciation to President Buhari, “because most of the issues we raised during your visit to South Africa have been addressed, and there is progress on the remaining ones.”

He said the Group has utmost commitment to investing in Nigeria, and would commit the sum of $1.6 billion from its operations in the country to strengthen its network and systems.

“We are fully aligned with the strategic agenda of government, and are committed to strengthening the digital economy of the country,” Mr Jonas said.

 

Tony Ailemen, Abuja