MTN South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to driving economic growth and digital inclusion in KwaZulu-Natal by announcing a significant R480 million investment into the province. This bold commitment is part of MTN’s ongoing efforts to enhance network coverage and empower youth with critical digital skills that will enable them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
The announcement was made today at the MTN Digital Skills for Digital Jobs (DS4DJ) Induction Ceremony, held at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC). Hosted by the Hon. Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr. Thami Ntuli, the event marked a dual milestone for the province: major infrastructure upgrades and the formal induction of 80 young KZN residents into MTN’s national digital skills development programme.
As part of its R480 million investment, MTN will expand and modernise its network infrastructure across KwaZulu-Natal, with a strong focus on improving access in underserved areas. The project includes:
- Construction of 25 new sites
- Modernisation of 90 existing sites
- Capacity upgrades to 120 sites
- Transmission upgrades to more than 80 sites
This investment aims to extend and add more capacity and speed to MTN’s already impressive 4G coverage, which currently sits at 97% in the province. Rural communities and townships will be the primary beneficiaries of the 4G expansion, while metros and larger towns will gain broader access to MTN’s high-speed 5G network.
The improvements are already being felt. Residents in villages like Mpendle have seen a significant boost in connectivity thanks to recent 4G rollouts, while villages such as Nongidi,
Mpofana, Weenen, Bovini, Nkapha, Nkambele, Kwantabomvu, and Lokwe are in the pipeline to benefit this year. Bigger towns such as Pietermaritzburg, the provincial capital, is experiencing enhanced 5G coverage that supports faster, more reliable digital access for both consumers and businesses.
“KwaZulu-Natal is a key growth province for MTN, and this investment is a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to bridging the digital divide. We are ensuring that no one is left behind in South Africa’s digital revolution,” said Busi Dlamini, MTN South Africa’s General Manager for KwaZulu-Natal.
Empowering the Next Generation with Digital Skills
The day’s significance extended beyond infrastructure, with MTN formally inducting the 2025 KZN leg of its Digital Skills for Digital Jobs (DS4DJ) programme, a strategic initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment through demand-driven MICT SETA accredited digital training.
The national programme will benefit 700 young people across all nine provinces, with 80 participants from KZN beginning their journey today. The initiative is a collaborative effort between MTN, the EBL Institute of Business and Technology, Moses Kotane Research Institute, Durban University of Technology InnoBiz, and the Office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal.
Focusing on high-demand skills such as Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, and Systems Development, the DS4DJ programme equips participants with both technical and professional skills aligned with today’s job market.
“South Africa’s youth are full of potential, but they need access to the right opportunities. This programme is designed to not only train but also assist learners identify and connect with employment opportunities. It’s a direct response to the unemployment crisis, and it shows what’s possible when government, business, and academia work together,” continued Dlamini.
A Nation-Building Initiative
The Induction Ceremony marks the beginning of an exciting and transformative journey for these young South Africans. Beyond technical training, the programme aims to develop well-rounded professionals who are job-ready and capable of driving innovation in a rapidly digitising world.
By providing youth with the tools, they need to succeed in the fourth industrial revolution, MTN is not only contributing to individual empowerment but also to broader national goals around economic inclusion and digital transformation.
The combined focus on infrastructure development and human capital investment underscores MTN’s holistic approach to provincial development. The dual announcement today illustrates how MTN is living out its purpose of enabling digital and financial inclusion for all.
“Whether it’s through world-class connectivity or digital skills development, our goal is the same – to unlock opportunities and enable progress for South Africans everywhere,” concluded Dlamini.
