By the IDNN Business & Tech Desk | April 25, 2025
Africa’s largest telecoms provider, MTN Group, has confirmed a cybersecurity breach involving unauthorized access to parts of its systems across select markets. The company disclosed the development on Thursday in a statement posted on its official website, assuring customers that its core platforms and financial infrastructure remain secure.
The MTN cybersecurity breach reportedly did not affect its critical billing and digital wallet systems, as there’s no evidence that customer accounts or financial data were directly compromised.
🔐 MTN Cybersecurity Breach: Company Responds Amid Growing Concerns
The Johannesburg-based telecom giant, which operates in 19 countries and serves over 280 million subscribers, stated that while the extent of the breach is still under investigation, it has taken swift action by notifying law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service and the elite investigative unit known as the Hawks.
“No evidence of compromise to any of our critical infrastructure, core MTN platforms, or services,” the company emphasized in the statement.
MTN added that it is engaging directly with regulators and stakeholders in affected countries and is reaching out to impacted customers to ensure transparency and compliance with local data protection laws.
MTN’s Cybersecurity Measures and Customer Advisory
In light of the breach, MTN has issued a public advisory urging customers to take the following precautionary steps:
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Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible
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Use unique, strong passwords and update them regularly
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Be wary of unsolicited messages or links via SMS or email
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Avoid sharing PINs, OTPs, or passwords via phone or digital platforms
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Place fraud alerts on credit reports, where applicable
The company reaffirmed its commitment to reinforcing its cybersecurity framework and preventing future breaches.
🌍 Impact Across African Markets
While MTN did not specify which countries were impacted by the cybersecurity breach, sources close to the investigation suggest that multiple regions may be affected, with each regulatory body being engaged separately.
The telecom operator is expected to provide follow-up disclosures as investigations progress and forensic analyses of its systems continue.