By STELLAMARIS ASHINZE

The MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, on Wednesday cautioned that rising Afrophobic sentiments threatened youth empowerment, economic integration and Africa’s development aspirations.

Mupita gave this caution in a statement ahead of the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation dialogues, amid social media campaigns targeting multinational firms following anti-immigrant protests in South Africa.

He said Africa’s youthful population remained the continent’s greatest asset and should be channelled toward economic opportunities rather than divisive nationalism and retaliatory actions.

“MTN also believes that embracing the benefits of the digital economy is vital to turning the youth bulge into a youth dividend,” Mupita said.

According to him, Africa’s demographic profile presents enormous opportunities, if governments and businesses invest in skills, innovation and digital inclusion for young people.

The MTN boss said that attacks on pan-African businesses could weaken industries providing jobs, investments and critical infrastructure supporting millions of young Africans.

He said companies operating across African borders played strategic roles in advancing economic cooperation and supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area objectives.

Also, Mupita said MTN’s operations reflected its pan-African identity and extensive economic footprints across multiple African markets.

“MTN makes less than 20 per cent in South Africa and makes 80 per cent of our earnings elsewhere,” he said.

“We have not seen impacts specifically to our business, but we are very sensitive in markets such as Nigeria and Ghana,” Mupita said.

He said that the company remained watchful amid emerging tensions in some countries.

The MTN chief noted that Africa’s future depended on stronger cooperation, economic integration and respect for established legal and governance institutions.

“The future of Africa depends on greater social solidarity, increasing economic integration and the observance of the rule of law,” he said.

Mupita said dialogue, inclusion and lawful engagement offered more sustainable responses to migration-related tensions than boycotts, retaliation or corporate targeting.

He maintained that protecting migrants, investments and cross-border commerce remained essential to achieving shared prosperity and continental development.

Analysts say retaliatory actions against multinational operators could disrupt telecommunications, fintech and e-commerce ecosystems supporting millions of livelihoods across Africa.

They noted that stronger social cohesion and economic integration would help countries maximise opportunities created by AfCFTA and the continent’s digital economy. (NAN)

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