Africa’s largest mobile operator, MTN Group, has teamed up with global technology giant Microsoft in a landmark partnership aimed at expanding access to artificial intelligence-powered learning and productivity tools to millions across the continent.
Announced as MTN celebrated reaching 300 million customers, the collaboration is positioned to accelerate digital skills development and deepen meaningful participation in Africa’s fast-growing digital economy.
At the heart of the initiative is the planned rollout of Microsoft 365 with Copilot, an AI-enabled productivity suite designed to support research, writing, communication, and collaboration across devices. The offering will be available to MTN subscribers in selected markets from early 2026, marking one of the most extensive deployments of AI-driven digital tools in Africa.
Ralph Mupita, MTN group president and CEO, said the partnership underscores the role of digital skills in shaping Africa’s economic future. “Africa’s growth will increasingly be defined by how effectively its people can participate in the digital world. This new collaboration strengthens that trajectory. Working together, we will open new pathways for innovation and opportunity that will define the continent’s next phase of progress,” he said.
By combining MTN’s vast reach and deep local insights with Microsoft’s global technology capabilities, the alliance aims to democratise access to advanced digital tools previously limited to organisations and high-end users. Microsoft 365 with Copilot will equip individuals, students, entrepreneurs and small businesses with AI-enhanced tools to improve learning outcomes, streamline productivity and enhance digital expression.
Samer Abu-Ltaif, president for Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa, described the initiative as a shared investment in Africa’s human capital. “Our collaboration with MTN reflects our shared goal to enable people to learn, create, and participate meaningfully in the digital economy. By bringing Copilot to millions of MTN customers, we are helping unlock new opportunities for learning and innovation across Africa,” he said.
In addition to productivity tools, the offering includes Microsoft’s trusted security features, helping users stay safer online with built-in protection against phishing, data breaches and evolving cyberthreats. Continuous monitoring across devices will enhance user safety and strengthen digital trust, a key component of Africa’s expanding online ecosystem.
The partnership also aligns with MTN’s broader efforts to integrate artificial intelligence across its network and service offerings. It reinforces the company’s commitment to responsible technology adoption, sustainable growth and the creation of shared value for African societies.
With the initiative slated to begin rollout next year, both companies say the long-term goal is clear: to equip hundreds of millions of Africans with the skills and tools needed to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven global economy.
