Economic Opportunity Will Shape Africa's Future More Than Migration, Says MTN Boss
Africa's long-term prosperity will depend more on expanding economic opportunities, strengthening regional integration and enabling greater participation in the economy than on how the continent responds to migration, MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita has said.
Speaking at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation (KMF) Winter Seminar, Mr Mupita said Africa's future would be shaped by the opportunities that unite the continent rather than the borders that divide it.
The seminar brought together leaders from government, business, academia, the diplomatic community and civil society to discuss the relationship between migration, development and Africa's future.
"The future of Africa will not be determined by the borders that separate us but by the economic opportunities that connect us," Mr Mupita said.
"Governments must set predictable policy and regulations. Businesses will follow and allocate resources and capital. Together, we can build a continent where opportunity is more evenly shared and prosperity is more widely created."
As a sponsor of this year's seminar, MTN Group said it believes platforms that bring together diverse stakeholders are essential for developing practical solutions to some of Africa's most pressing development challenges.
During a panel discussion, Mr Mupita argued that migration should not be viewed in isolation but rather as a consequence of broader economic realities affecting people's lives.
"If our discussion ends with the language of crisis around migration, we will have treated the symptom and missed the deeper challenge," he said.
"People move because opportunity is unevenly distributed. The defining question is whether we can build economies in which mobility is matched by opportunity."
He noted that Africa's rapidly growing population could become one of the continent's greatest economic strengths if governments invest in the right foundations for growth.
According to him, improving access to skills development, infrastructure, finance, markets and strong institutions will enable more Africans to participate productively in the economy.
Mr Mupita also highlighted the role of digital infrastructure in driving inclusive economic growth, saying connectivity has become an important catalyst for education, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and access to public services.
"MTN was born in South Africa and has grown alongside the continent. Our prosperity is inseparable from Africa's prosperity," he said.
He explained that digital networks no longer simply connect people to one another but also link them to learning opportunities, businesses, financial services, government services and wider markets.
Mr Mupita said these were among the reasons MTN continues to support initiatives that promote evidence-based dialogue on issues shaping Africa's future.
He stressed that the continent's greatest strength lies not only in telecommunications infrastructure but also in the connections created among people, ideas and shared aspirations.
"MTN believes that Africa's strength lies in its connectivity – not only through networks, but also through people, ideas and shared identity. This initiative is about building bridges, not borders," he concluded.
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