MTN Nigeria Drives Social Impact, Empowers Over 58,000 Nigerians with N2.6bn CSI Investment

…as CSR Spending Rises by 35%

MTN Nigeria has solidified its position as a corporate leader in social responsibility with a substantial N2.6 billion investment in Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives for 2023. The investment impacted over 58,000 people across 90 communities, according to the telecom company in its 2023 sustainability report.

The spending represents a significant 35.2% increase compared to the previous year, underscoring the company’s commitment to driving positive change in Nigerian communities.

In 2023, MTN Nigeria prioritized projects within the ICT ecosystem, focusing on areas such as digital skills training, mobile connectivity expansion, and promoting digital entrepreneurship. The bridging the digital divide remains acornerstone of MTN’s CSI strategy. By recognizing the transformative power of technology, the telecommunications giant has channeled a substantial portion of its investment into ICT-enabled projects. MTN is fostering digital inclusion and creating opportunities for economic growth by empowering individuals with digital skills and expanding access to mobile connectivity.

The company’s 2023 CSI initiatives spanned a wide range of sectors, including health, education, economic empowerment, and youth development. Programs such as the Anti-Substance Abuse campaign, Y’ellopreneur, and MTN Scholarships have made a tangible impact on the lives of countless Nigerians.

The 2.6 billion-naira investment was distributed across various sectors; 2% for orphanages and community sponsorship each, 47% for health initiatives, 31% for educational programs, and 7% for economic empowerment projects. The remaining 11% was allocated to other operating expenses, ensuring effective administration and implementation of their philanthropic efforts throughout the country.

To ensure maximum effectiveness, MTN has adopted a robust approach to monitoring and evaluation. By measuring the outcomes of its CSI programs, the company can identify areas for improvement and optimize its resource allocation. Additionally, MTN’s collaboration with local stakeholders and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demonstrate a commitment to creating sustainable and long-lasting change.

As a result of these efforts, MTN Nigeria has earned a reputation as a responsible corporate citizen. The company’s investment in social impact initiatives not only benefits the communities it serves but also strengthens its brand reputation and fosters goodwill among its customers and stakeholders.

Speaking on MTN Nigeria’s commitment to national priority areas such as equity and drug abuse, Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of MTN Foundation emphasized that “The core message of our Anti-Substance Abuse campaign at the MTN Foundation is that it is everyone’s fight, because the singular objective of the campaign is to reduce the rate of first-time abuse amongst youths aged 10-25 years.”