MTN urges unity amid tensions as CEO Ralph Mupita calls for African cooperation and warns xenophobia could harm investment and growth

MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita has called for greater unity across Africa, urging stronger adherence to the rule of law and deeper economic integration amid rising tensions between South Africa and Nigeria.

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Mupita made the appeal in a LinkedIn post ahead of a migration dialogue hosted by the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation, where he warned that growing anti-immigrant sentiment and cross-border friction could undermine Africa’s long-term development ambitions.

“The future of Africa depends on greater social solidarity, increasing economic integration and the observance of the rule of law,” Mupita said.

His remarks come against a backdrop of renewed diplomatic unease sparked by anti-immigrant protests in parts of South Africa and Ghana, which have triggered concern across the continent and prompted discussions about possible retaliatory sentiment in some affected countries.

The MTN Group chief said sustained instability and social unrest risk damaging investor confidence at a time when African economies are seeking to attract foreign capital for infrastructure development, industrial growth and job creation.

Development institutions such as the World Bank have repeatedly highlighted political instability and social unrest as key factors that can weaken foreign direct investment flows into Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly during periods of heightened uncertainty.

Mupita’s intervention also reflects broader concerns among policymakers about the effectiveness of regional integration frameworks, including the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to create a unified market across African economies.

Human rights organisations have previously warned that outbreaks of xenophobic violence in parts of the continent have resulted in attacks on foreign nationals and businesses, raising questions about the strength of protections for migrants in some jurisdictions.

In a separate interview with Bloomberg, Mupita said MTN had not yet experienced operational disruptions linked to the recent tensions but acknowledged that the company remained highly sensitive to developments in key markets such as Nigeria and Ghana.

“We have not seen impacts specifically to our business, but we’re very sensitive in markets such as Nigeria and Ghana,” he said.

MTN, one of Africa’s largest telecommunications operators, maintains significant operations across Nigeria, South Africa and several other markets, making regional stability central to its business performance and long-term strategy.

Analysts note that the company’s extensive footprint across the continent places it in a unique position to observe the economic impact of cross-border tensions, particularly in sectors dependent on seamless digital connectivity.

Mupita stressed that while governments must enforce laws and ensure public safety, sustainable peace and cooperation will ultimately depend on stronger economic ties and shared prosperity across African nations.

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His comments add to growing calls from business leaders for calm and cooperation as Africa navigates recurring diplomatic and social tensions alongside its broader integration and development goals.