MTN South Africa Targets Higher-Quality Prepaid Base as Data Usage Jumps

MTN South Africa  is prioritising the quality and value of its prepaid customer base rather than focusing solely on subscriber numbers, as the operator works to strengthen its consumer business.

MTN South Africa CEO Ferdi Moolman outlined the strategy during a media roundtable alongside MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita to discuss the company’s first-half 2026 results.

As of 30 June 2026, MTN South Africa had 39.5 million customers, including 28.2 million prepaid users.

The company said it has seen encouraging changes in the behaviour and value of its prepaid customers. Data consumption among prepaid users increased by nearly a quarter, while reliance on airtime advances for recharging declined.

MTN South Africa also reported a growing share of prepaid customers using bank channels to recharge. In-month airtime advance repayment rates improved significantly, rising from 50% in October 2025 to around 70% by the end of the period.

Moolman said the recovery of the prepaid business remains at an early stage but expressed confidence that the operator’s deliberate efforts to improve the customer base would support stronger quality and value over time.

While the prepaid consumer segment remained a key focus during the first half of the year, MTN South Africa also highlighted the performance of its postpaid consumer, enterprise and wholesale businesses, all of which recorded above-inflation growth during the period.

The operator said the results reflect progress in strengthening its customer base while maintaining growth across its broader business segments.