In SA, Vodacom dominates with nearly 46 million subscribers, with MTN just behind on 39 million
MTN, Africa’s largest mobile network operator, has made history by being the first network operator on the continent to surpass 300 million customers.
MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita announced last week that reaching this number of customers was a “strategic target” for the company.
In South Africa, Vodacom dominates with nearly 46 million subscribers, with MTN just behind on 39 million. MTN’s biggest and most lucrative market is Nigeria, with 85 million subscribers.
Globally, China Mobile is the largest operator with more than one billion subscribers.
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MTN’s history
The network operator started operating on 1 June 1994 at the dawn of democracy, with Naspers Group owning a large stake, and M-Cell later acquiring 25% of the network.
M-Cell was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in 1995. The network entered the international market in February 1998, with acquiring licences in Uganda, Rwanda and Swaziland.
The network operator said it was in 1999 when it reached the two million subscriber mark in South Africa and network quality tests revealed it was the best in SA.
It was in 2000 when M-Cell acquired the 75% stake that Naspers owned, and later changing its name to MTN Group in 2002. Less than a decade of being in business, MTN reached the seven million subscriber mark, with one million coming from Nigeria.
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MTN expands its footprint
It was in 2005 when the network operator expanded aggressively by acquiring a 49% of Irancell, based in Iran, 44% of Mascom in Botswana, 100% of Libertis in Congo-Brazzaville, acquired a licence in Côte d’Ivoire, and completed the purchase of Telecel in Zambia.
In 2008, shareholders approved the purchase of Dubai‑based Investcom, expanding MTN’s presence across Africa and the Middle East to 21 countries from 11. This helped significantly, as the network operator reached the 91 million customer mark.
However, in 2005, an investigation was launched into how MTN was able to acquire its stake in Iran. Turkcell is accusing MTN of being awarded the licence irregularly. However, it has been exiting its businesses in the Middle East, including Syria, Yemen and Iran.
Vodacom largest in SA
In South Africa, MTN’s closest competitor is Vodacom. Vodacom was founded in 1993 and is majority-owned by Vodafone, based in the United Kingdom.
As of 31 March 2025, Vodacom had 211.3 million subscribers across its markets. It operates in the DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Vodacom’s largest market is in Egypt with 48 million subscribers, followed by Kenya (Safaricom), also with 48 million. Vodacom owns a stake in Safaricom, a network operator in Kenya and Ethiopia.
Cell C and Telkom
Telkom, established in 1991, has at least 24 million mobile subscribers as of the third quarter of the 2025 financial year, which was a 21.6% increase year-on-year. The network has operations in more than 38 countries across Africa, and also has a global presence through its IT company, BCX, with operations in Europe and North America.
Network operator Cell C has 7.7 million subscribers as of the first half of 2025. Cell C only operates in South Africa and is owned by Blue Label Telecoms. The network has struggled financially for years, with Blue Label looking at unbundling it and listing it on the JSE.
Globally, MTN will be looking to surpass companies such as China Mobile with its one billion subscribers and India’s Reliance Jio with 500 million, and Vodafone with 340 million.
