Telecom operator MTN Group has signed a multi-year agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to expand digital connectivity for refugees and displaced communities across Africa, the companies said.
The partnership aims to improve access to mobile networks, digital services and mobile money for refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities living in countries where MTN operates.
The programme will initially be rolled out in Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan, where large populations of displaced people live, often in areas with limited telecommunications infrastructure.
The agreement focuses on expanding network coverage and reducing barriers that prevent displaced people from accessing digital services.
Among the challenges identified are the absence of recognised identification documents needed to register SIM cards, the high cost of mobile devices and data packages, and weak or non-existent mobile network coverage in remote areas hosting refugee populations.
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According to UNHCR data, more than 20 million displaced people currently live in countries served by MTN’s telecommunications network.
The companies said improved digital access could help displaced people stay in contact with family members, obtain humanitarian assistance and access financial services.
“Connectivity should not be treated as a privilege,” said Nompilo Morafo, chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer at MTN. “It is a vital tool that supports dignity, protection and economic participation.”
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She added that digital access becomes particularly critical for people forced to flee their homes because it enables them to maintain communication with relatives and humanitarian agencies while rebuilding their livelihoods.
Mobile connectivity is increasingly viewed by humanitarian agencies as essential infrastructure in crisis situations. Refugees often rely on mobile phones to receive cash assistance, access information about services and maintain links with family members in other regions or countries.
Under the agreement, MTN and UNHCR plan to deploy telecommunications infrastructure in underserved areas and promote access to mobile money services.
The partners will also explore solutions to simplify SIM registration for displaced people who may lack formal identification documents, a common barrier to telecom access in many African countries.
The initiative forms part of the broader Connectivity for Refugees programme, a global effort launched during the Global Refugee Forum 2023 to expand internet and mobile access for displaced populations.
The programme seeks to connect at least 20 million refugees and displaced people to digital networks by 2030 through partnerships between governments, international organisations and private-sector companies.
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Humanitarian groups say connectivity gaps remain a major obstacle for refugees, particularly in remote camps and settlements where network infrastructure is often limited.
Closing these gaps could support broader financial inclusion by allowing refugees to use digital payment systems, mobile banking services and online platforms for education and employment.
The expansion of mobile connectivity could also benefit host communities, many of which live in rural areas with limited digital infrastructure.
MTN, one of Africa’s largest telecommunications operators, serves more than 280 million subscribers across the continent and the Middle East.
Financial and operational details of the agreement with UNHCR were not disclosed.
