MTN Group has announced it has been named on the 2021 Fortune Change the World list, which is a global ranking of the top 53 companies that make a measurable progress addressing pressing social problems as part of their business strategy.
According to the the publishers of the Change the World list, a number of this year’s honourees are battling to reverse the neglect of some societal needs, as magnified by the pandemic.
These companies are investing in the long-term health of their businesses by supporting those on the lower stages of the global economic ladder, including distributing COVID-19 vaccines in low- and middle-income nations, as statement said.
“MTN is humbled to be recognised on the Fortune Change the World list. We are committed to changing the world through meaningful contributions to the societies across the markets in which we operate,” says MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita. “Our networks, products, and services are supplied with the intention of closing the digital divide by facilitating digital communications and financial inclusion.”
Since the beginning of the spread of COVID-19, MTN has remained committed to playing a part in the ongoing fight against the pandemic through its global mask wearing awareness campaign #wearitforme and #onemorepushafrica.
Heeding the call for vaccinations across the African continent, MTN donated US$25 million to support the African Union’s COVID-19 vaccination programme. The donation to Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is helping to secure up to seven million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for health workers on the continent.
Also noted during the pandemic was the the urgent need to stay connected. This saw data traffic soaring by 110% in 2020. MTN was able to address gaps in connectivity by improving the affordability of its services, whilst providing digital and financial solutions to consumers and businesses, and helping to drive digital inclusion to the most vulnerable and marginalised communities on the African continent.
MTN has also set science-based targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 47% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.
For us, this is about being part of the long-term solution, harnessing the power of partnerships to act swiftly to address the challenges brought on by the pandemic, whilst prioritising our people, customers, and communities, as well as looking after our businesses and the environment, MTN said in a statement.
