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MTN Group, Africa’s leading mobile network operator, has confirmed a cybersecurity breach that exposed the personal data of some customers in selected markets. However, the company has assured stakeholders that its core infrastructure remains secure and fully operational. This includes network systems, billing platforms, and financial services.
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In a statement released by MTN, the telco emphasized that while an unauthorized third-party accessed certain customer information, no critical platforms were compromised. Customer wallets, mobile money (MoMo) accounts, or billing systems were not impacted on by the breach.
“There is no evidence of compromise to any of our critical infrastructure, core MTN platforms, or services,” the company said.
The breach is currently under active investigation. It occurs at a time when cyber threats against telecom and financial institutions are sharply rising across Africa. MTN, which operates in 19 countries with over 280 million subscribers and generates more than $11 billion in annual revenue, is working closely with law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service and the Hawks, a specialized crime unit.
“Our network integrity remains intact, and we are taking all necessary measures to protect our customers.”
The telecom giant has notified regulatory authorities in the affected markets and pledged ongoing cooperation during investigations.
MTN’s Customer Protection Advisory
MTN has advised its customers to enhance their security by:
- Placing a fraud alert with major credit bureaus.
- Keeping MTN, MoMo, and banking apps/devices updated.
- Using strong, unique passwords and updating them regularly.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious or unexpected emails, messages, or links.
- Never share passwords, PINs, or OTPs over the phone, text, or email..
- Enabling multi-factor authentication where possible.
While MTN continues to investigate the exact scope of the breach, it reiterates that customer accounts and wallets have not been compromised, based on current findings.
As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, MTN’s swift transparency and proactive security response reflect the growing importance of cyber resilience in Africa’s booming digital economy.
