This cybersecurity incident involving MTN Group, one of Africa’s largest telecom providers, is important for several key reasons, especially given the growing digital footprint of users across the continent and the critical role MTN plays in financial and communication infrastructure.

MTN Group has confirmed it experienced a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized access to personal information of customers in certain undisclosed markets. The telecoms giant emphasized in a statement released Thursday, April 24, that no evidence suggests compromise of its critical infrastructure, including its core network, billing platforms, or financial services systems, which remain fully operational and secure.

“An unknown third-party has claimed access to data from certain parts of MTN’s systems. However, there is no indication at this time that customer accounts or mobile wallets have been directly affected,” MTN said.

Upon discovering the breach, MTN promptly activated its cybersecurity response protocols. This included notifying South African law enforcement, including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Hawks, as well as relevant authorities in affected countries. The Group is cooperating fully with investigations and is in the process of notifying impacted customers following local regulations.

“As a precaution, we are urging our customers to remain vigilant and adopt best practices in digital security,” the company stated. Customers are advised to enable multifactor authentication where available, avoid clicking on suspicious links, regularly update mobile apps and devices, use strong and unique passwords, and never disclose personal credentials via email, text, or phone.

The incident has not affected core services such as voice, data, MoMo, or enterprise solutions, and MTN reassured stakeholders of its continued commitment to data privacy and the integrity of its systems.

MTN is Africa’s largest telecom operator. It serves over 290 million subscribers across 16 markets, offering voice, data, fintech, digital, enterprise, wholesale, and API services. As a key player in both connectivity and digital financial services, even a limited cybersecurity breach could have widespread consequences, potentially affecting millions through loss of trust, increased risk of fraud, or misuse of personal data.

The breach comes at a time when African nations are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals. According to the latest data from the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN), Nigeria ranks 50th globally for online threats, South Africa 82nd, and Kenya 35th. These figures highlight the growing cybersecurity risks in the region, where digital connectivity and mobile financial services are rapidly expanding.

Hikmatu Bilali