- MTN Group has launched a multi-year partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to provide mobile and financial services to displaced persons and host communities.
- The initiative targets major barriers to digital inclusion, including lack of identification, high device costs, and limited broadband in refugee-hosting areas.
- Implementation will begin in Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan, supporting the global goal of connecting 20 million forcibly displaced people by 2030.
Africa’s telecommunications giant, MTN Group, has announced a landmark partnership with the UNHCR to expand mobile connectivity and digital services for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the continent.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide for some of the most vulnerable populations in Africa, ensuring that access to the internet and financial tools is treated as a necessity rather than a luxury.
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Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, stated that the project is rooted in the belief that connectivity is a foundational tool for dignity and economic participation.
According to Morafo, digital access becomes a critical lifeline when people are forced to flee their homes, helping families stay connected and enabling them to access vital humanitarian assistance.
The partnership is designed to tackle the specific hurdles faced by refugees, such as the absence of recognized identification required to register SIM cards and the high cost of data and mobile devices.
By working with the UNHCR, MTN plans to expand resilient network infrastructure into remote hosting areas and promote financial inclusion through mobile money services and digital skills training.
UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly Clements highlighted that MTN’s vast reach across African markets makes them an ideal collaborator for this mission.
The collaboration aligns with the broader “Connectivity for Refugees” initiative, which seeks to bring digital access to 20 million displaced individuals worldwide by the end of the decade.
The project kicks off in Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan, nations that currently host significant displaced populations before scaling to other MTN markets.
Beyond just providing signal, the initiative aims to foster a digital ecosystem where refugees can rebuild their futures through remittances, online education, and participation in the digital economy.
