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MTN Group Fintech has been honoured with the first-ever Regional Platform Business Award at MTN’s prestigious Y’ello Care Awards, in recognition of its outstanding contribution to community development and social impact across Africa. The company announced the achievement in a statement, describing it as a landmark moment that reflects MTN’s broader commitment to using technology and innovation to improve lives. The award was presented to MTN Group Fintech’s Chief Legal Officer, Nikiwe Tanga, and Chief Executive Officer, Serigne Dioum, during the 2025 Y’ello Care Awards ceremony. According to the statement, MoMo (Mobile Money) teams across multiple African markets—including Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, South Sudan, and Uganda—collaborated on a series of impactful community-driven projects. These projects focused on digital literacy, financial inclusion, healthcare access, and empowerment of vulnerable groups. MTN explained that the initiatives formed part of its annual 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign, which encourages employees to participate in volunteer projects aimed at tackling socio-economic challenges through innovation and collective action. The company said the Group Fintech division took a leading role this year by implementing projects that directly addressed issues such as unemployment, digital exclusion, and poverty. Activities included training programmes on mobile money systems, digital skills workshops, solar panel installations in community centres, and donations of food, cash, and equipment to underserved populations. Across all participating countries, the MoMo teams focused on expanding access to digital tools and education. They provided smartphones, built digital resource hubs, and organised hands-on training sessions to help individuals gain employable digital skills and future-ready capabilities. “By focusing on digital literacy, financial inclusion, improved healthcare access, and targeted support for vulnerable groups, MoMo is not only enhancing lives but also building stronger, more resilient communities across the continent,” said Nikiwe Tanga, who received the award on behalf of MTN Group Fintech. In Nigeria and other West African countries, the MoMo initiative offered financial literacy classes, distributed Point of Sale (POS) devices, and awarded grants to small business owners to encourage entrepreneurship and promote economic self-reliance. MTN’s teams also prioritised healthcare development. In several countries, MoMo workers provided smartphones to health professionals, installed solar-powered systems in clinics and public facilities, and disseminated important health messages about HIV/AIDS prevention and general wellness through digital platforms. In Ivory Coast, the team focused on inclusion and empowerment of marginalised groups, especially people with albinism and members of the deaf community. Through tailored mobile technology training and leadership programmes, participants were equipped to launch small businesses and achieve greater financial independence. Independent adjudicators, Trialogue, who evaluated the Y’ello Care entries, highlighted the unique success of MTN Group Fintech’s community-based approach. “Hyperlocal solutions proved most effective for stronger results,” Trialogue said. “Where communities were deeply involved in project design and delivery, the outcomes were more sustainable and impactful. Partnerships with governments, NGOs, and local leaders also expanded reach and strengthened long-term results.” The agency further noted that data-driven planning and digital inclusion were central to the success of MTN’s initiatives, allowing the projects to scale efficiently and deliver measurable results. Reacting to the recognition, Serigne Dioum, CEO of MTN Group Fintech, praised the dedication and teamwork of employees who participated in the campaign. “This milestone reflects the passion and commitment our teams bring to every Y’ello Care project,” Dioum said. “We are immensely proud to be recognised not only as the first platform business to win this award but also for the tangible impact we have made in communities across Africa. It demonstrates what is possible when we combine technology, teamwork, and purpose.” MTN Group Fintech reaffirmed its long-term goal of developing sustainable digital solutions that support financial inclusion, economic empowerment, and social progress across Africa. The company also pledged to continue using its MoMo platform to bridge development gaps and drive inclusive growth.
