(Ecofin Agency) - • MTN South Sudan renewed its operating license last week, securing permission to operate in the country for the next 15 years.
• The telco plans to expand its network to reach 90% of the population within the first 10 years.
• The move comes as digital access remains limited, with millions still offline and mobile coverage uneven.

MTN South Sudan has renewed its license to operate in the country for another 15 years. This allows the telco to keep providing services while expanding its network nationwide. The cost of the license has not been made public.

As part of this renewed agreement, MTN is setting its sights on covering 90% of South Sudan’s population within the first decade of the license. The company sees this as a long-term commitment that will drive better service, broader network reach, and more digital innovation.

“This new license comes with important obligations that will directly benefit the people. It gives us the momentum to improve service quality, expand our network to more communities, and support digital innovation. With this long-term commitment, we can plan and invest in the infrastructure and technologies that will shape South Sudan’s digital future,” the company said in a statement.

Expanding coverage is key in a country where millions remain unconnected. South Sudan has a population of about 12.1 million, but as of 2023, roughly 35% still lacked even basic 2G mobile coverage. According to the International Telecommunication Union, only 18% of the population had access to 3G, and just 15 percent were within reach of a 4G signal.

The gap is also visible in usage. DataReportal estimates that there were 4.47 million mobile phone subscribers in the country at the start of 2025, but just 1.9 million people were using the Internet.

This digital divide creates a real opportunity for MTN to grow. At the end of 2024, the company had 3.3 million subscribers. However, gaining new customers will not be easy. Competitors like Zain and Digitel are also active in the market, and the tough economic conditions pose additional challenges. In its 2024 annual report, MTN Group listed South Sudan as one of its hyperinflationary markets.