South Africa continues to face deep structural challenges in education, youth unemployment and digital inequality. For millions of young people, limited access to quality learning resources, connectivity and digital skills continues to restrict participation in the economy and broader society. Against this backdrop, MTN South Africa’s Foundation is playing a strategic role in helping bridge the gap between education, skills development and future economic opportunity.
Over the past three years, the MTN SA Foundation has invested more than R185 million in community development initiatives focused predominantly on education, digital inclusion and youth skills development. The investment forms part of MTN’s broader commitment to supporting South Africa’s national development agenda by enabling more inclusive access to learning and participation in the digital economy.
At the centre of the Foundation’s approach is the understanding that improving educational outcomes requires more than connectivity alone. It requires an integrated ecosystem that supports learners, equips educators, expands access to digital tools and develops skills relevant to a rapidly changing economy.
Since 2009, the Foundation has invested more than R1.1 billion in social impact initiatives, with education remaining its cornerstone. Over the years, the Foundation has established more than 400 multimedia centres across the country, reaching over 220,000 learners. These centres provide schools with access to connected digital infrastructure and modern learning tools, helping reduce disparities between under-resourced communities and better-equipped schools.
“Technology has the power to transform access to quality education, but its impact is most meaningful when supported by an integrated approach,” says Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer. “Our focus is not only on providing connectivity and devices, but also on empowering educators and learners with the skills needed to succeed in a digital world.”
To strengthen classroom outcomes, the Foundation has trained and equipped more than 16,000 educators from over 400 schools with digital tools and capabilities. By supporting teachers alongside learners, the Foundation is helping schools integrate technology into teaching and learning in a sustainable and impactful manner.
The MTN Online School has further expanded the Foundation’s reach, providing over 470,000 learners with free access to curriculum-aligned educational content and learning resources. For many learners in underserved communities, the platform has become an important educational support tool, enabling continuous learning beyond the classroom and improving access to quality content regardless of geographic location.
Beyond basic education, the Foundation is also addressing South Africa’s growing youth unemployment challenge through digital skills development programmes. More than 3,500 unemployed young people have been trained in digital and workplace-relevant skills aimed at improving employability and readiness for the modern economy. These interventions seek to close the widening gap between education and employment opportunities in a digital society, as the unemployment rate continues to surpass 30%.
This work complements MTN South Africa’s broader role as a national digital enabler. Through continued investment in connectivity infrastructure and digital access, MTN is helping create the foundation upon which education, skills development and economic inclusion can thrive.
“South Africa’s future depends on ensuring that young people are equipped with the knowledge, digital access and skills needed to participate meaningfully in the economy,” concludes Morafo. “Through the Foundation, we are working to create long-term impact by connecting education, technology and opportunity in a way that leaves no one behind.”
