MTN posts strong subscriber growth

South Africa-based mobile provider MTN has announced year-on-year subscriber growth of 22 per cent for 2010, from 116 million to 141.6 million, driven largely by its operations in Nigeria and Iran. According to the group’s annual report, 2010 saw its Nigerian subscriber base grow to 38.7 million, with Iran increasing 28 per cent to 29.7 million.

Closer to home, MTN’s South African subscriber base rose to 18.8 million, giving it a market share of 36 per cent. The group said that, despite increased competition in the fourth quarter, its Nigerian operation increased market share to 52 per cent, thanks largely to its capture of more than 60 per cent of new subscribers to the market in 2010. Despite market share decreasing from 55 to 53 per cent in Ghana, the group stated that it was satisfied with its performance in what it described as “one of the group’s most competitive markets.

AfricaCom, 9-10 November 2011, Cape Town, www.comworldseries.com/africa