MTN Group, Africa’s telecommunications powerhouse with over 280 million subscribers across 19 countries, has confirmed a significant cybersecurity breach that may have compromised sensitive customer data in selected markets.
The revelation, made via an official statement on Thursday, has sent shockwaves through the tech and financial ecosystems, as cybercrime continues to tighten its grip on institutions across the continent.
While the breach’s full extent remains under investigation, MTN moved quickly to reassure its vast customer base and stakeholders. The company maintained that its critical infrastructure—including core networks, billing systems, and financial platforms—remains uncompromised and fully operational.
“There is no evidence of compromise to any of our critical infrastructure, core MTN platforms, or services,” the statement read. “Our core network, billing systems, and financial services infrastructure remain secure and fully operational.”
MTN revealed that an unidentified third party had claimed access to certain portions of its systems, triggering immediate internal audits, cybersecurity protocols, and notifications to law enforcement authorities.
The South African Police Service and the Hawks, a specialised crime-fighting unit, have been engaged, alongside law enforcement agencies in other affected countries.
> “We have informed the relevant country authorities and will continue to update them on an ongoing basis while working closely with them and law enforcement agencies to support their investigations,” the telecom giant said.
In response to the breach, MTN has begun contacting affected customers to comply with regulatory requirements and help minimize potential fallout. Though the number of affected users remains undisclosed, the company is treating the incident with utmost urgency and transparency.
In a stern advisory, MTN warned customers against sharing sensitive personal information such as passwords, PINs, and one-time passwords (OTPs) via phone calls, SMS, or emails—even if the source appears credible.
> “We urge our customers not to share sensitive information such as passwords, PINs, or OTPs over phone calls, SMS, or emails,” the advisory stated. “Where available, we recommend enabling multi-factor authentication for an additional layer of security.”
MTN also advised users to take proactive steps to secure their digital identities:
Place fraud alerts on credit profiles
Regularly update apps and operating systems
Use strong, unique passwords
Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources
The incident highlights a growing trend of cyberattacks targeting Africa’s telecom and financial sectors, raising urgent questions about digital resilience, customer safety, and cross-border cybercrime collaboration.
While MTN continues to probe the incident and work with security experts, the breach underscores the reality that even giants can be vulnerable in the digital age—and staying vigilant is no longer optional.
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