MTN Group has announced a robust operational and financial performance for its 2025 financial year, concluding its Ambition 2025 strategy. Service revenue saw a significant jump of nearly 25%, reaching R218 billion.

The strong commercial outcomes were largely propelled by the performance of its operations in MTN Nigeria and MTN Ghana. The group also reported healthy free cash flow and improved returns for the period.

As a testament to its financial strength, MTN Group announced a 45% increase in dividend payments to shareholders.

By December 31, 2025, the group's total customer base expanded to over 307 million across its 16 markets. This figure includes 172 million data users and 70 million Mobile Money customers.

Sustained investments of approximately R38 billion were made to enhance network infrastructure and digital platforms, focusing on capacity, coverage, and quality. These investments supported a 27% surge in data traffic during the year.

The average monthly data consumption per user also saw an increase, rising to 12.5GB from 10.8GB in the previous period. This growth in data usage underscores the increasing reliance on digital services across its markets.

MTN's fintech ecosystem demonstrated significant expansion, with total transaction volumes growing by 15% to over 23 billion. The total value of these transactions surpassed $500 billion within the year.

Looking at individual market performance, MTN Nigeria was a standout performer, recording a 54.9% increase in service revenue. MTN Ghana followed with a strong showing, posting a 35.9% rise in service revenue.

MTN South Africa experienced a more modest 2% growth in service revenue, reflecting its position in a mature market. Earnings before interest, tax, and amortisation (EBITDA), excluding one-off items, climbed to R98.5 billion, marking a growth of over one-third in constant currency.

Expense efficiencies of R3.6 billion contributed to the year's financial results. Basic earnings per share returned to profitability in 2025, a significant recovery from a loss in 2024. Adjusted headline earnings per share saw an impressive increase of 67%.

The board has declared a dividend of 500 cents per share for the year, a notable increase from the 345 cents paid in 2024 and exceeding the previously communicated minimum guidance of 370 cents.

Furthermore, MTN introduced an enhanced shareholder remuneration framework, which includes a R6 billion share buyback program designed to boost shareholder value.

Earlier, MTN Nigeria reported a return to profit after tax, posting N1.1 trillion for 2025, a substantial turnaround from a N400.4 billion loss in 2024. This recovery was attributed to improved operating conditions and cost management.

The fourth quarter of 2025 saw pre-tax profit rise to N569.6 billion, a 248.8% increase compared to N163.3 billion in Q4 2024. This growth was driven by sustained revenue increases, margin expansion, and favourable foreign exchange dynamics.

Consequently, the Board proposed a final dividend of N15 per share for MTN Nigeria, bringing the total dividend for the 2025 financial year to N20 per share.

The sharp depreciation of the naira in the 2024 financial year had previously impacted MTN Nigeria's earnings due to significant foreign exchange losses. However, with recent relative stability in the local currency, Nigeria has once again become a key contributor to the group's overall profitability.