Joy Agwunobi
Telecommunications giant MTN Group, in partnership with Microsoft, has completed the modernisation of its Enterprise Value Analytics (EVA) platform in South Africa, migrating it to Microsoft Azure in a major step towards strengthening its data intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities across its markets.
The new cloud-based EVA 3.0 platform marks a significant advancement in MTN’s digital transformation journey, giving the company enhanced agility, operational efficiency, and intelligence in how it analyses and applies data to improve customer experiences and drive responsible AI deployment.
In a statement, MTN described the upgraded platform as the largest telco cloud implementation in the Middle East and Africa, highlighting that it now processes around 22 billion records daily and runs over 800 analytics workflows sourced from more than 1,700 data feeds. Built on Azure Databricks and protected by Microsoft Defender, EVA 3.0 delivers a major boost in processing speed, security, and scalability compared to its predecessor.
According to MTN, the platform’s real-time analytics capability provides earlier visibility into service performance and customer behaviour, enabling teams to detect and resolve issues faster, design more relevant service offerings, and maintain consistently high service quality. Customers, the Group said, will benefit from faster, more reliable, and intelligently managed digital experiences across MTN’s network.
Nikos Angelopoulos, chief information officer at MTN Group, described EVA 3.0 as a milestone in the company’s data transformation and customer-centric strategy.
“Our customers expect reliability, relevance, and responsiveness in every interaction with us; understanding our vast amounts of data and extracting meaningful insights in a timely manner has always been central to how we deliver that experience,” he said, adding “With EVA 3.0, we’re expanding those capabilities,analysing information more quickly, applying intelligence more effectively, and safeguarding it through advanced cloud security. Working with Microsoft, we’ve built a resilient platform that supports responsible AI and ensures we continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
Beyond its rollout in South Africa, MTN said EVA 3.0 serves as a blueprint for similar data modernisation projects across its African markets, combining Microsoft’s global cloud expertise with MTN’s deep local knowledge of connectivity and customer needs.
Alkis Flemetakis, telco account director at Microsoft, said the collaboration showcases how the partnership between a global technology leader and an African telecoms operator can accelerate digital transformation.
“MTN’s adoption of Azure for its analytics backbone demonstrates what’s possible when global technology and local expertise work together. This collaboration is unlocking deeper insights, strengthening data protection, and accelerating digital transformation across the continent,” Flemetakis said.
Rick Lievano, Microsoft’s worldwide chief technology officer for telecommunications, further underscored the centrality of AI and big data in transforming telecommunications operations.
“Artificial intelligence and big data analytics are at the heart of telco transformation, enabling operators to optimise networks for efficiency and resilience, create new revenue streams beyond traditional connectivity, and enhance customer experience through personalisation and predictive services,” he noted.
MTN’s growing Azure capability, the Group added, is anchored by its Cloud Centre of Excellence and a Group-wide network of engineers who collectively achieved more Microsoft Azure certifications than any other organisation in Africa in 2025. To date, the company has earned over 1,350 certifications, reflecting its sustained investment in cloud expertise, continuous skills development, and commitment to advancing digital capability across the continent.
Building on this foundation, MTN said it is deepening its focus on secure, data-driven systems that are transforming how individuals and businesses connect. Through intelligent use of cloud technologies and analytics, the company is driving greater reliability, fostering inclusion, and strengthening the foundations of Africa’s digital economy.
The launch of EVA 3.0, MTN noted, aligns with its ambition to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress, ensuring that connectivity, data, and innovation continue to serve as catalysts for opportunity and inclusive growth across the continent.
