Latest news with #MTN
Zawya
11 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
South African brands dominate Africa's brand value rankings
South African companies continue to lead the continent in brand value. All of the top 10 most valuable African brands are South African, with MTN topping the list at $2.9bn. Checkers' outperforms leading global counterparts when compared to their home markets. Economic volatility MTN has maintained its position as Africa's most valuable brand since Brand Finance began its study of broader African brands in 2020—despite economic volatility and regulatory challenges in key markets like Nigeria. Notably, Nigeria remains one of MTN's largest markets, thanks to its substantial subscriber base. Checkers has emerged as the region's strongest brand, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 97.7 out of 100. Brand Finance research reveals that Checkers earns outstanding domestic brand perceptions across several brand strength metrics, including likeability, consideration, and recommendation. Brand Finance data also shows that Checkers outperforms leading global counterparts when compared to their respective home markets, including Walmart in the US, Coles in Australia, and Marks & Spencer in the UK. Capitec stands out as the fastest-growing brand in Africa by brand value. The bank has more than doubled its value since 2024, reaching $1.1bn in 2025. Capitec has also climbed from 28th to 14th place in the overall ranking within just one year. According to the latest Brand Finance Africa 200 report, 48 banking brands contribute 31% of the total brand value of Africa's top 200 brands, amounting to $17.7bn. Five of the top 10 brands are from the banking sector—and all are South African. Beyond South Africa, other notable performers include: - Attijariwafa Bank (Morocco), which rose 27% in brand value to $1.1bn, ranking 15th overall. - National Bank of Egypt, up 9.5% to $717m. - Access Bank (Nigeria), up 18% to $559m. - Equity Bank (Kenya), up 23% to $554m. These strong performances highlight the continued strength of the financial sector in shaping the brand value landscape across the continent. Kenya's beer brand Tusker is the second strongest African brand, with a BSI score of 97.1 out of 100, driven by exceptional scores for brand familiarity, consideration, and reputation according to Brand Finance research. Jeremy Sampson, executive chairman, Brand Finance Africa commented: 'The dominance of banking, telecoms, and retail brands in the Africa 200 2025 ranking truly highlights that these companies are vital to the daily lives of African consumers and that these sectors are driving the continent's emerging economies. Their continued growth, despite fierce global competition, proves that African brands can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world's best, offering high-quality products and services that resonate across the continent and globally.'
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Africa top 200 report: South African brands take top 10 spots
The top 10 brands include network operators, banks and retail groups. The top 10 most valued brands in Africa are all South African, with Africa's largest mobile network operator, MTN, retaining first position. Brand Finance, responsible for compiling the report of the top 200 brands in Africa, commenced in 2020. Since its establishment, MTN, headquartered in Johannesburg, has consistently held the top spot. According to the report, the network operator has a brand value of $2.9 billion (more than R52 billion). Nigeria remains a substantial market for MTN, boasting a substantial subscriber base. ALSO READ: Can Pick n Pay's new look fix their troubles? New store design revealed Top 10 South African brands Jeremy Sampson, executive chair of Brand Finance Africa, said: 'The dominance of banking, telecoms and retail brands in the Africa 200 2025 ranking truly highlights that these companies are vital to the daily lives of African consumers and that these sectors are driving the continent's emerging economies. 'Their continued growth, despite fierce global competition, proves that African brands can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world's best, offering high-quality products and services that resonate across the continent and globally.' The top 10 brands include network operators, banks and retail groups. South African brand values Brand value is understood as the net economic benefit that a brand owner would achieve by licensing the brand in the open market. 'In addition to calculating brand value, Brand Finance also determines the relative strength of brands through a balanced scorecard of metrics evaluating marketing investment, stakeholder equity and business performance,' reads the report. MTN – $2.9 billion (more than R52 billion) Vodacom – $2.5 billion (more than R45 billion) Standard Bank – $2.2 billion (more than R39 billion) FNB – $1.7 billion (more than R30 billion) Absa – $1.5 billion (more than R28 billion) Checkers – $1.4 billion (more than R25 billion) Woolworths SA – $1.3 billion (R23 billion) Nedbank – $1.2 billion (more than R21 billion) Investec – $1.2 billion (more than R21 billion) Shoprite – $1.2 billion (more than R21 billion) ALSO READ: Where do you shop for jeans? Survey reveals Mr Price is SA's most loved store Checkers earns outstanding domestic brand 'Brand Finance research reveals that Checkers earns outstanding domestic brand perceptions across several brand strength metrics, including likeability, consideration and recommendation. 'Data also shows that Checkers outperforms leading global counterparts when compared to their respective home markets, including Walmart in the US, Coles in Australia and Marks & Spencer in the UK,' reads the report. The report also includes other South African brands which are believed to be fast-growing. One of the brands is Capitec bank, which held the 28th position in 2024, but now sits at 14th. It has doubled its brand value to $1.1 billion (more than R19 billion). The report also included Clicks, Pick n Pay, Mr Price, Outsurance and Dis-Chem. NOW READ: Capitec CEO tops banking pay charts — but how do staff salaries compare? A look at how SA's top five banks pay
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: MTN launches Youth Hustle Hub 2025 with $55,428 prize pool
MTN South Africa has launched the 2025 edition of its Pulse Youth Hustle Hub, offering entrepreneurs aged 18–25 the chance to win a share of R1m in funding. The initiative is designed to support early-stage businesses through access to funding, mentorship and business development. Thirty young entrepreneurs will be selected to participate. Of these, 29 will each receive R30,000 in funding. One overall winner will receive R100,000 to grow their business. The remaining R30,000 from the total prize pool will be allocated as spot prizes. To enter, participants must upload a 60-second video pitching their business idea on social media, tagging @MTNza and using the hashtags #MTNPulse and #MTNYouthHustleHub2025. Incubator programme The top 30 entrepreneurs will be hosted in Johannesburg for a week-long incubation programme, which includes: - Mentorship from business experts - Business analysis sessions - Pitch training - A final pitch event to select the overall winner According to MTN, the programme will also offer broader value beyond the finalists. Public-facing resources such as entrepreneurial podcasts and webinars will be made available online to help young South Africans sharpen their business skills. Building on 2024 outcomes The campaign follows the success of the 2024 edition, where winners used their prize money to expand their businesses. MTN says the new campaign aligns with its broader brand positioning and aims to foster a spirit of initiative among youth. 'We've seen the impact last year's programme had on young business owners like Thokozani Sibeko, who used his winnings to expand his bakery. Hustle Hub is not just a competition — it's about enabling long-term growth,' said Seun Soladoye, GM for Consumer Prepaid at MTN SA. The 2025 programme also draws on creative input from past winners and young content creators, as part of a wider effort to reinvest in youth-led innovation. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The South African
15 hours ago
- Business
- The South African
MTN under fire as senior management fills its pockets as share price falls
Telecommunications giant MTN Group is under fire from shareholders after nearly R249 million was paid to its executives and board members during 2024 – a year in which the company's share price fell by 21%. At its most recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) in late May, 40.82% of shareholders voted against the company's remuneration implementation report, falling short of the 75% approval threshold required for the non-binding advisory resolution to pass. The company's remuneration policy itself also faced scrutiny, with 24.34% voting against it. The 2024 Remuneration Report shows: Group CEO Ralph Mupita earned R64.75 million earned Group CFO Tsholofelo Molefe received R33.6 million received MTN SA CEO Charles Molapisi took home R26.3 million took home Senior VP Ebenezer Asante earned R37.8 million In total, MTN's top executives were paid nearly R198 million. Meanwhile, non-executive directors collectively received R51.4 million, with Chairman Mcebisi Jonas earning R7.37 million. The generous compensation packages stood in sharp contrast to MTN's 2024 stock performance. The share price declined from R117.00 on 1 January to R91.99 by year-end, prompting dissatisfaction among shareholders who saw their investments shrink. This disconnect between executive remuneration and shareholder returns has been a long-standing point of contention. Many investors argue that pay should be more closely tied to company performance and shareholder value creation. Following the AGM, MTN issued a statement via the JSE's Stock Exchange News Service (SENS) acknowledging the shareholder dissent. The company invited those who voted against the resolution to submit concerns in writing and attend a scheduled engagement session on 26 June 2025. 'We value the insights from our shareholders and remain committed to aligning executive pay with long-term strategic goals,' said Dr Khotso Mokhele, chair of MTN's Human Resources and Remuneration Committee. Despite defending the remuneration structure as 'fair, competitive, and performance-driven,' MTN now faces mounting pressure to rethink its pay philosophy, especially in light of lackluster returns to shareholders. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
GuocoLand unit ordered to pay RM6.4m in arbitration; completes RM50m MTN issuance
GUOCOLAND (Malaysia) Bhd's wholly owned subsidiary GLM Emerald Hills (Cheras) Sdn Bhd has been ordered to pay RM6.36 million to Barisan Performa Sdn Bhd in an arbitration proceeding over a terminated construction contract. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, GuocoLand said the dispute stemmed from a contract under which Barisan Performa was appointed to carry out site clearance, earthwork and related works. The contract was subsequently terminated, with GLM Emerald Hills maintaining that the termination was mutually agreed. However, Barisan Performa contended that the termination constituted a repudiation of contract. On June 16, 2025, the arbitrator awarded Barisan Performa a total of RM6.4 million. This comprises RM1.24 million for work done and materials left on site, and RM5.12 million for loss of profit arising from what was deemed to be an unlawful repudiation. The award also includes 5% annual interest on the sum due until full payment, as well as incidental costs amounting to RM414,487.94. GuocoLand noted that it had previously recognised a provision of RM1.24 million, resulting in an estimated net financial impact of RM5.54 million from the award. The company added that GLM Emerald Hills is consulting its solicitors on the next course of action, including the possibility of setting aside the award. In a separate announcement, GuocoLand said it has completed the issuance of RM50 million in nominal value of unrated medium term notes (MTN), marking the first tranche under its RM500 million MTN programme announced in March this year. The one-year MTN, issued today, carries a periodic distribution rate of 4.27% per annum and will mature on June 18, 2026. Proceeds from the issuance, along with internal funds, will be used primarily to fully settle outstanding revolving credit facilities – RM7.4 million with Bank of China (Malaysia) Bhd and RM32.5 million with Bangkok Bank Bhd. The balance will be allocated for working capital. Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd is acting as the principal adviser, lead arranger, lead manager, and facility agent for the MTN programme, which is part of GuocoLand's broader capital management strategy. — TMR
