MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, has called for greater unity, stronger adherence to the rule of law and deeper economic integration across Africa, warning that rising anti-immigrant sentiments and cross-border tensions could threaten the continent’s economic progress and discourage investment.
Mupita made the remarks amid renewed diplomatic tensions linked to anti-immigrant protests in South Africa and Ghana, which have generated widespread debate on social media and sparked threats of retaliatory actions against businesses associated with those countries in markets including Nigeria.
Writing on LinkedIn ahead of a migration dialogue hosted by the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation, Mupita stressed that Africa’s future prosperity depends on strengthening social cohesion while accelerating economic cooperation among nations.
“The future of Africa depends on greater social solidarity, increasing economic integration and the observance of the rule of law,” he stated.
His comments come as policymakers and business leaders continue to express concern over the economic impact of recurring incidents of xenophobia and Afrophobia across the continent.
Analysts have repeatedly warned that such developments can damage Africa’s reputation among global investors at a time when many countries are seeking foreign capital to finance infrastructure projects, industrialisation efforts and job creation initiatives.
International development institutions, including the World Bank, have consistently identified political instability and social unrest as factors that weaken investor confidence and reduce foreign direct investment inflows into Sub-Saharan Africa.
The latest tensions have also renewed discussions about the challenges facing regional integration initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa.
Observers note that cross-border tensions and hostility toward foreign nationals could undermine the objectives of the trade agreement by discouraging labour mobility, investment and business expansion across member countries.
Mupita’s emphasis on the rule of law is particularly significant given longstanding concerns about the protection of foreign nationals and businesses operating in different African countries.
Human rights organisations have previously criticised authorities for failing to adequately prevent attacks on migrants and foreign-owned businesses during outbreaks of xenophobic violence in South Africa. Similar concerns have emerged in other countries where diplomatic disagreements have occasionally triggered calls for consumer boycotts and reprisals against foreign-linked businesses.
Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Mupita said MTN had not experienced any direct operational disruptions arising from the recent tensions but remained attentive to developments across its major markets.
“We have not seen impacts specifically to our business, but we’re very sensitive in markets such as Nigeria and Ghana,” he said.
MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecommunications operator by subscriber base, maintains significant operations in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and several other countries across the continent.
Industry analysts note that the company’s extensive footprint provides it with unique insight into the importance of regional stability, economic cooperation and cross-border connectivity.
MTN serves millions of customers and supports critical digital infrastructure that facilitates communication, commerce and financial inclusion across multiple African economies.
Mupita argued that while governments have a responsibility to enforce laws and ensure the protection of citizens and businesses, long-term social cohesion can only be achieved through stronger economic partnerships and shared prosperity among African nations.
His remarks reinforce growing calls from business leaders and policymakers for African countries to prioritise cooperation, respect for the rule of law and inclusive economic growth as key pillars for achieving sustainable development and attracting long-term investment to the continent.
