MTN Nigeria has called for stronger bilateral economic relations between Nigeria and South Africa, describing deeper collaboration between the two countries as critical to driving sustainable economic growth across Africa.
The telecommunications giant is set to sponsor the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) August 2026 Breakfast Forum, where business leaders are expected to develop practical strategies for expanding cross-border investments and enterprise growth.
The forum, themed “Building Local Content Together, 25 Years of Shared Growth,” is scheduled to hold on August 27, 2026, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event will bring together leading figures from the finance, advertising, technology and strategic communications sectors to examine 25 years of commercial relations between Nigeria and South Africa and explore opportunities for deeper economic integration.
Among the speakers scheduled for the forum are MTN Nigeria’s Chief Financial Officer, Modupe Kadri; Founder and CEO of BlackHouse Media, Ayeni Adekunle; Group Managing Director of So&U, Udeme Ufot; CEO of Seams & Stitches, Yemi Chukwurah; and Group Chief Operating Officer of Computer Warehouse Group, Afolabi Sobande.
Discussions are expected to focus on how private-sector partnerships can translate regulatory policies into practical local-content initiatives.
Participants will also examine ways to strengthen indigenous technology development, create opportunities for local vendors and promote knowledge transfer between South African multinationals and Nigerian service providers.
The partnership is also expected to align commercial initiatives with continental frameworks, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with the goal of establishing a sustainable framework for joint enterprise development over the next 25 years.
Established in May 2000, the NSACC currently has more than 300 corporate members across major Nigerian business centres, including Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. The chamber facilitates trade missions, business matchmaking and policy advocacy while connecting Nigerian startups and SMEs with foreign investors and international corporate supply chains.
MTN Nigeria’s sponsorship of the 2026 forum forms part of activities marking its 25th anniversary in Nigeria and underscores the company’s role in promoting digital infrastructure and facilitating international business connections.
In a recent LinkedIn commentary marking the milestone, MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola, emphasised the importance of intra-African trade to achieving sustainable economic independence.
He noted that MTN’s 25-year experience in Nigeria demonstrates how global capital and local talent can combine to create sustainable businesses and strengthen cross-border enterprise.
MTN Nigeria has invested more than $15 billion in infrastructure in the country over the past two decades, while its network now serves more than 77 million active subscribers.
The company has also played a significant role in supporting Nigeria’s expanding digital economy, including the fintech and digital services sectors.
Meanwhile, bilateral trade between Nigeria and South Africa is reported to exceed $3.2 billion annually, underscoring the importance of stronger digital, logistics and commercial connections between both economies.
The upcoming NSACC forum is therefore expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to identify concrete steps toward expanding trade, investment, local content and technology partnerships between Nigeria and South Africa.
