MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, has called on African governments to establish stable and predictable policy and regulatory environments to attract investment, accelerate economic growth and create broader opportunities across the continent.
Speaking at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation Winter Seminar, Mupita said Africa’s long-term prosperity would depend not on migration alone but on governments’ ability to create conditions that encourage investment, deepen regional integration and expand economic opportunities for millions of people.
He said governments have a critical responsibility to create an enabling business environment by maintaining clear, transparent and consistent policies that inspire investor confidence.
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“The future of Africa will not be determined by the borders that separate us, but by the economic opportunities that connect us. Governments must set predictable policies and regulations. Businesses will follow and allocate resources and capital. Together, we can build a continent where opportunity is more evenly shared and prosperity is more widely created,” he said.
Mupita argued that migration should be viewed as a consequence of uneven economic development rather than an isolated policy challenge.
“If our discussion ends with the language of crisis around migration, we will have treated the symptom and missed the deeper challenge. People move because opportunity is unevenly distributed. The defining question is whether we can build economies in which mobility is matched by opportunity,” he said.
He noted that Africa’s growing population could become a major economic advantage if governments invest in education, skills development, infrastructure, financial systems, markets and strong institutions.
The MTN chief also described digital infrastructure as a vital catalyst for inclusive growth, saying connectivity enables greater access to education, entrepreneurship, financial services, public services and regional markets.
“MTN was born in South Africa and has grown alongside the continent. Our prosperity is inseparable from Africa’s prosperity,” he said.
He added that the company would continue supporting initiatives that promote evidence-based discussions on issues shaping Africa’s future.
“MTN believes that Africa’s strength lies in its connectivity—not only through networks, but through people, ideas and shared identity. This initiative is about building bridges, not borders,” he said.
Mupita’s comments come as many African countries seek to attract more domestic and foreign investment, strengthen regional trade, expand digital infrastructure and create jobs capable of supporting the continent’s rapidly growing population.
