MTN Group, a leading telecommunications operator in Africa, has officially launched 5G networks in Benin and the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville).
This rollout follows pilot programs, including a 5G trial in Congo-Brazzaville in October 2022, and commercial operations now extend to select areas like Cotonou and Abomey-Calavi in Benin.
MTN’s 5G journey began in South Africa in 2020, with subsequent expansions to Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, and now Benin and Congo-Brazzaville. By mid-2024, MTN had deployed over 3,000 5G sites across its markets. This strategic expansion underscores MTN’s role in fostering innovation, economic development, and digital inclusivity in Africa.
In Benin, MTN has built on its 25-year history by investing $215 million in infrastructure development, a move expected to reinforce its leadership position in a competitive telecom landscape.
By being the first to launch 5G in the Benin, MTN has gained a competitive advantage over rivals like Moov Africa and Celtiis. This launch may push competitors to accelerate their own 5G deployments, fostering a more robust telecommunications ecosystem.
In Congo-Brazzaville, the launch supports the country’s vision of becoming a digital innovation hub in Central Africa. MTN aims to use 5G to drive socio-economic growth, transforming how people and businesses connect.
More than just faster speeds and reduced latency, 5G technology offers a foundation for innovation, addressing critical needs in sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, and financial inclusion. In agriculture, for instance, 5G’s high-speed connectivity supports smart farming technologies, enabling farmers to access real-time data on weather and soil conditions, enhancing productivity.
Additionally, 5G promises to attract foreign investment by offering the infrastructure needed for startups and multinational companies to thrive.
This 5G launch marks a fertile ground for ventures in tech-driven sectors. Investors and entrepreneurs can leverage the network for cloud computing, app development, and other data-intensive tasks.
