MTN Group has once again been recognised as South Africa’s most valuable brand, securing the top spot for the 13th year in a row.
The telecom giant, which operates across 16 countries with a particularly strong presence in Nigeria, outperformed prominent competitors including Vodacom, Standard Bank, and First National Bank.
The accolade comes from Brand Finance, which valued MTN at R50.9 billion in 2026. The report attributes the brand’s sustained strength to its strategic expansion in data services and fintech offerings, alongside consistent investment in network infrastructure and digital connectivity.
MTN’s long-term sponsorship of the Springboks’ front-of-shirt spanning eight years and two Rugby World Cup victories, concluding at the team’s peak reputation in 2025 also contributed to its high brand recognition.
Ralph Mupita, MTN Group president and CEO, expressed gratitude for the recognition, highlighting its alignment with the company’s recently launched Ambition 2030 strategy. “We appreciate this accolade, which motivates us to continue delivering on our purpose of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress,” Mupita said. He emphasised that the strategy places renewed focus on providing exceptional customer experiences across MTN’s markets.
Serving more than 300 million mobile customers across 16 countries, MTN has positioned itself as a major driver of digital and financial inclusion. Mupita underscored the collaborative nature of this achievement: “It also reminds us of the many partners on whom we rely in our work to extend digital and financial inclusion so that no one is left behind. I would like to thank all of them, and our other stakeholders for their continued support.”
The Brand Finance recognition follows MTN’s induction into the inaugural Brand Africa Hall of Fame in January, an honour reserved for brands that have demonstrated consistent excellence and influence across the continent over the past decade.
