MTN’s Community Investment Links 40,000 to Online Services

(Juba) – MTN South Sudan has concluded its 2025 “21 Days of Y’ello Care” programme, reaching over 40,000 residents across four communities with digital services and tools.

The campaign which ran from 1 to 21 June 2025 under the theme “Connecting at the Roots,” focused on improving digital access in underserved areas, including refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

Y’ello Care is an MTN group wide initiative where staff volunteer to carry out impactful community projects. This year, South Sudan’s campaign supported four locations: Gorom Refugee Camp, Terekeka, Sherikat and the Mangaten IDP Camp. Each location received infrastructure support, digital equipment and community training.

The largest groups served were Gorom Refugee Camp, Terekeka and Sherikat, each with over 12,000 residents. Mangaten IDP Camp reached over 3,000 people. In total, more than 40,000 residents benefitted from services such as internet access, mobile money training, digital literacy, and teacher education.

At Mangaten, MTN completed a solar powered technology hub with computers, internet and mobile charging stations.

In Gorom Refugee Camp, solar equipment was installed alongside digital literacy activities for residents. Both initiatives aimed to create lasting community benefits through digital access.

In terms of digital tools, MTN distributed 100 smartphones to households and trained users on mobile money (MoMo) services. These tools were part of broader financial inclusion efforts to support local micro-businesses and income generation.

The campaign also offered education and training, including sessions for both teachers and students on MTN’s Internet of Good Things platform. This enabled users to access online learning materials, research platforms and educational resources, even in low connectivity areas.

A resident of Gorom Refugee Camp, Amol Mary, noted how digital access changed her priorities.

“Whenever I got 1,000 SSP, I would wonder whether to buy sugar or charge my phone. But now I don’t have to make that choice,” she said.

Another participant, 22 year old Veronica Nyakuol from Mangaten, described how internet access helped with her studies. She previously missed a scholarship because she was unable to meet a submission deadline.

“Now I think I’ll always be the first to submit my assignments,” she said.

MTN leaders described the programme as a response to the deep digital divide in the country.

“When we connect communities like Mangaten, we are enabling financial inclusion, expanding e-learning, and improving communication,” said MTN South Sudan CEO, Mapula Bodibe.

Chief Legal Officer Moses Mayor added that “Connecting at the Roots” reflects MTN’s mission to address basic connectivity needs in South Sudan’s most vulnerable communities.

The project also had a measurable economic impact by enabling mobile money access for small businesses and families. The tools provided allowed users to save, send and receive money, improving their financial independence.

Editor’s Note: MTN South Sudan’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign in 2025 has showcased how digital investment can transform underserved communities.

The programme has provided long term tools for empowerment, especially for youth, students and low income families by offering technology, training and financial access.

The initiative is part of MTN’s wider African strategy to bridge the digital divide and build inclusive economic participation through technology.