MTN Uganda has unveiled its inaugural Sustainability Report, outlining major achievements in reducing carbon emissions, expanding digital and financial inclusion, and boosting community investments, while committing to new climate and development goals for 2030.
The 2024 report, launched Tuesday in Kampala, highlights a 58.4% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, achieved through the deployment of renewable energy at 538 base station sites under its Project Zero initiative.
The company also expanded 4G coverage to 87.9%, grew 5G coverage from 0.3% to 15.3%, extended its fibre network to 17,774 kilometres, and raised data subscribers to 10 million.
Financial and social impact was also significant. MTN’s mobile money platform processed Shs 158.6 billion in transactions for 13.8 million subscribers and disbursed Shs 1.5 trillion in loans to households and businesses.
Community investments totaled Shs 4.6 billion, supporting ICT centres, digital literacy training for nearly 4,800 youth, and outreach through its Internet Bus program. Women now make up 51% of the workforce and 38% of senior management.
The company said it contributed Shs 1.27 trillion in taxes, spent Shs 980.2 billion on local suppliers 72% of which remained in Uganda and nearly doubled procurement from women-owned businesses to Shs 73.6 billion, supporting more than 300,000 indirect jobs.
Board Chairman Charles Mbire described the report as “more than a set of numbers,” adding: “It is a reflection of the lives we touch, the communities we uplift, and the future we are helping to build.”
CEO Sylvia Mulinge said the report reflects MTN’s shift to a purpose-driven model.
“True success is measured not only in financial performance but in the lives we touch, the environment we protect, and the opportunities we create for the next generation,” she noted.
State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga, commended the company for aligning with government priorities under Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan.
“When we talk about sustainability, it is not an abstract concept. It is about how we grow as a country while ensuring that our people, our environment, and future generations are well taken care of,” Kabbyanga said.
He praised MTN’s emission cuts and digital expansion as critical to Uganda’s climate commitments and digital transformation agenda, adding that government remains committed to supporting responsible investment.
“Uganda’s development will depend on stronger partnerships between government and private sector players like MTN,” he said.
Looking ahead, MTN Uganda said it will strengthen ESG standards, integrate sustainability into executive performance metrics, and adopt international reporting frameworks such as IFRS S1 and S2 by 2030.
