MTN Supports Economic Governance Training for African Public Officials

MTN Group has thrown its support behind a continental initiative to strengthen public sector leadership across Africa, sponsoring the 2025 Economic Governance School held in Accra.

The training brought together senior officials, legislators, and administrators from Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya, reflecting a growing focus on institutional capacity as a foundation for long-term development.

The programme is a joint collaboration between South Africa’s National School of Government (NSG), the Kenya School of Government (KSG), and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). Over five days, it convened public leaders from across sectors for peer exchange, policy dialogue, and leadership development. The goal, to improve governance outcomes and foster inclusive economic growth across the continent.

“As a pan-African business, we understand that Africa’s growth depends not only on investment in infrastructure, but also in people and institutions,” said Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer.

MTN’s involvement came during its annual “21 Days of Y’ello Care” campaign, which encourages employee volunteerism. As part of the programme, the visiting delegation toured the Opportunities Industrialisation Centre Ghana (OICG), a vocational and entrepreneurial training facility supported by MTN Ghana.

“At MTN, we believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life; therefore, in our view, education, training and strong institutions form the foundation for sustained progress,” Morafo said. “Also, when civil servants, policymakers and administrators are equipped with high-quality training, their collective decisions shape a more equitable, innovative and resilient future for their nations.”

Beyond sponsorship, MTN contributed to the programme’s intellectual engagement. Senior executives, including MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett and CIO Bernard Acquah, joined Morafo in panel discussions exploring how digital transformation, artificial intelligence and infrastructure investment can drive more effective governance. Sessions focused on how governments can leverage technology to improve public service delivery and strengthen administrative capacity.

The delegation also visited the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a key institution leading Africa’s drive to build a single market for goods and services. The visit highlighted the connection between strong institutions and broader efforts at regional integration and economic coordination.

South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms. Pinky Kekana, called the initiative an important space for reflection and learning: “The Economic Governance School offers a unique platform for elected and appointed public leaders to engage in critical analysis and reflective dialogue on the complex challenges confronting governance.”

GIMPA Director Prof. Samuel Kwadwo Bonsu praised the collaboration between public institutions and the private sector. “We are proud as GIMPA to serve, not only as a centre of learning but as a convening ground for critical reflection and collaboration,” he said.

MTN’s support for the programme forms part of its broader strategy to promote sustainable development by investing in both infrastructure and human capital. The company has positioned itself not just as a telecoms provider, but as an active participant in building institutions that can meet the demands of a rapidly changing continent.

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