MTN Rwanda has announced a significant achievement in its 4G network coverage, reaching 84.5% of the population. This milestone comes just one year after the telecommunications company obtained its 4G licenses in the country.

Annual General Meeting Highlights

The announcement was made during MTN Rwanda’s 2024 Annual General Meeting on Friday. Ms. Mapula Bodibe, MTN Rwanda’s Chief Finance Officer, highlighted the progress made since obtaining the 4G license. “We are approaching the one-year mark since obtaining our 4G license, which has enabled us to significantly increase digital access and improve the internet user experience across the country,” she stated.

Expanding Digital Access

Ms. Bodibe emphasized the company’s efforts in expanding its 4G network, achieving a population coverage of 84.5%. She also mentioned that MTN Rwanda is pursuing strategic partnerships and aligning with the government’s digital services strategy to ensure connectivity and access for all.

Rwanda’s Mobile Network Landscape

Rwanda is recognized as one of Africa’s most successful and fastest-growing economies. The mobile network sector is dominated by two main operators: MTN Rwanda and Airtel Rwanda. MTN Rwanda, a branch of South Africa’s MTN Group, holds the largest market share, known for its extensive coverage and wide range of services, including 3G and 4G. Airtel Rwanda, a subsidiary of the Indian multinational Bharti Airtel, competes closely, particularly in pricing and innovative services. Both operators have been key in expanding network coverage, even in rural areas, and making mobile Internet accessible with affordable data plans and value-added services.

Market Trends and Future Plans

According to the Rwanda Utilities and Regulatory Authority (RURA), the total number of active mobile-cellular telephone subscriptions in the country increased from 11,002,078 in December 2022 to 11,144,541 SIM cards by the end of January 2023, a 1.29% increase. As of January 2023, MTN Rwanda’s market share decreased by 0.4 percentage points to 64.0%, while Airtel Rwanda’s market share increased to 36.0%.

Looking Ahead

Ms. Bodibe outlined MTN Rwanda’s future plans: “We will continue to grow our subscriber base, invest in our network infrastructure to enhance capacity, expand coverage, and unlock cost efficiencies, thereby improving the profitability of our business.”