MTN and Education Ministry Launch Free Data E-Learning Platform

(JUBA) – Students and teachers across South Sudan can now access a national digital learning platform without data charges, after MTN South Sudan and the National Ministry of General Education and Instruction officially launched a zero rated e-learning service aimed at bridging the digital divide.

The Junub Academy National E-Learning Platform was unveiled at a launch event in Juba. Through zero rating the platform, Telcomm giant enables students and teachers to access educational content without incurring data charges.

The project aims to empower educators and equip learners with the digital skills needed for the future. The launch reflects MTN’s shared commitment to inclusive education, innovation and national development through technology.

The digital inclusion push comes just days after a coordinated tariff exchange rate adjustment was approved for the country’s three main telecommunications providers.

On 26 June 2026, the National Communications Authority approved a phased adjustment of the telecommunications tariff exchange rate effective from midnight that day, following consultations with government institutions, mobile network operators, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

The adjustment, announced jointly by MTN South Sudan, Digitel South Sudan and Zain South Sudan, responds to increasing operational costs facing the sector, including rising energy prices, inflation, depreciation of the South Sudanese Pound, limited access to foreign currency for infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, and the need for continued investment in modern network technologies.

The three operators said the phased implementation is intended to support the sustainability of telecommunications services, preserve national connectivity and ensure a gradual transition while minimising the impact on consumers.

They stressed that this is a tariff exchange rate adjustment, not a tariff increase, and that the underlying telecommunications tariffs remain unchanged.

The adjustment aligns the tariff exchange rate with prevailing economic conditions to support the continued delivery of reliable telecommunications services across South Sudan.

The NCA said it remains committed to protecting consumer interests and has directed operators to absorb a significant portion of prevailing inflationary pressures. The approved adjustment has therefore been limited to the minimum necessary to safeguard the sustainability of the sector.

The three operators said they remain committed to providing timely and transparent communication, maintaining service quality, strengthening network reliability and advancing digital inclusion through continued investment in telecommunications infrastructure.

They thanked customers for their continued support, resilience and understanding in the press release.

In separate customer offers, MTN South Sudan has also introduced weekday data bundles allowing subscribers to purchase through the mobile money platform MoMo and receive 25 percent extra data.

The company is also offering a free 300 megabyte Sunday data claim through its short code or mobile application.