In a strategic initiative aimed at improving the quality and reliability of real-time communication across the African continent, MTN Group has entered into a collaborative partnership with Meta to enhance voice and video call performance on platforms such as WhatsApp. The partnership spans 12 MTN markets, with the rollout beginning in Nigeria—Africa’s most populous country and one of the continent’s largest mobile markets.
The initiative is centred on optimising the interplay between mobile network infrastructure and application performance. By leveraging network-aware applications and application-aware networks, the collaboration seeks to deliver a more seamless and higher quality experience for end users of real-time calling services. MTN and Meta have been working jointly since the Mobile World Congress 2024 to identify performance bottlenecks and implement network enhancements that support improved data traffic delivery without compromising efficiency.
According to MTN, the partnership draws on advanced data analytics and rigorous technical testing to develop and apply interventions that directly address the quality of user experience. The first deployment phase in Nigeria has yielded promising results, with internal assessments reporting a 50 per cent improvement in key performance indicators for WhatsApp calling. This advancement reflects a significant uplift in call stability and audio-visual fidelity for MTN Nigeria’s subscribers.
Yahaya Ibrahim, Chief Technology Officer at MTN Nigeria, remarked that the project underscores MTN’s commitment to customer-centric innovation: “The implementation further demonstrates our dedication to enhancing our customers’ digital experience. We’re pleased with the remarkable improvement in our real-time communication services, which reflects our sustained investment in innovative solutions.”
From Meta’s perspective, the collaboration is aligned with its broader mission to improve digital connectivity across emerging markets. Diego Marí, Head of Network Ecosystems Engineering at Meta, commented: “The collaboration allows us to deploy advanced solutions for an unparalleled real-time experience in Nigeria and showcases our dedication to elevating service quality and improving user experience, while striving for continued efficiency in traffic delivery.”
Beyond technical upgrades, the development arrives at a moment of cautious optimism for Nigeria’s broader economic outlook. Ralph Mupita, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of MTN Group, expressed renewed confidence in the country’s macroeconomic trajectory. Speaking at an editorial roundtable in Johannesburg, Mupita predicted a “V-shaped recovery” in MTN Nigeria’s earnings, citing a confluence of stabilising currency conditions, moderating inflation, and a recent 50 per cent increase in telecom tariffs.
“We see a V-shaped recovery in Nigeria at the earnings level. With currency movements stabilising, inflation coming down, and tariff adjustments taking effect, we’re confident about strong service revenue growth and margin expansion. We expect Nigeria to return to contributing dividends by the second half of next year,” he stated.
MTN’s renewed focus on quality of service, underpinned by partnerships such as this with Meta, signals a broader trend towards the optimisation of digital infrastructure in Africa. As more consumers across the continent rely on mobile-first internet access, these types of enhancements will be vital to ensuring that digital communications remain stable, reliable, and equitable.
