MTN Group made the 2021 Fortune Change the World 2021 List for its massive Covid-19 intervention across its operations in Africa.
Fortune Change the World List is a global ranking of the top 53 companies that make measurable progress addressing pressing social problems as part of their business strategy.
The publishers of the Change the World list noted that many of this year’s honourees are battling to reverse the neglect of some societal needs, as magnified by the Covid-19 pandemic.
These companies are investing in the long-term health of their businesses by supporting those on the lower stages of the global economic ladder, including distributing COVID-19 vaccines in low- and middle-income nations.
Since the start of the spread of COVID-19, MTN has remained committed to playing a part in the ongoing fight against the pandemic through its global mask-wearing awareness campaign #Wearitforme and #Onemorepushafrica.
MTN also heeded the call for vaccinations across the African continent, by donating US$25 million to support the African Union’s COVID-19 vaccination programme.
The donation to Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is helping secure up to seven million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines for health workers on the continent.
Again, during the pandemic, the urgent need to stay connected, saw data traffic soaring by 110% in 2020. MTN was able to address gaps in connectivity by improving the affordability of its services, whilst providing digital and financial solutions to consumers and businesses, and helping to drive digital inclusion to the most vulnerable and marginalised communities on the African continent
For MTN, better connectivity doesn’t mean less eco-responsibility. MTN works with its partners to make sure we limit our environmental impact and safeguards biodiversity around every cell tower we build. MTN has also set science-based targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 47% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.
“For us, this is about being part of the long-term solution, harnessing the power of partnerships to act swiftly to address the challenges brought on by the pandemic, whilst prioritizing our people, customers, and communities, as well as looking after our businesses and the environment. It is for this reason, we continue to believe in the power of collective action to make a meaningful difference, focusing our efforts where needs are greatest,” a statement from MTN said.
It quoted Group President and CEO, Ralph Mupita as saying “MTN is humbled to be recognised on the Fortune Change the World list. We are committed to changing the world through meaningful contributions to the societies across the markets in which we operate.”
He added that “Our networks, products, and services are supplied with the intention of closing the digital divide by facilitating digital communications and financial inclusion.
