MTN CEO, Ralph Mupita warns Trump’s tariffs may impact telecom services in Africa

MTN Group President and CEO, Ralph Mupita, has raised concerns over the potential negative impact of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies on Africa’s telecommunications sector, especially for companies like MTN operating across the continent.

Speaking at a recent industry forum, Mupita cautioned that the trade tensions between the United States and China — which escalated during Trump’s administration — could indirectly affect telecom services in Africa due to increased costs of network equipment and infrastructure.

Ripple Effect of U.S. Tariffs

Many African telecom operators, including MTN, rely heavily on Chinese technology firms like Huawei and ZTE for affordable telecom equipment and infrastructure development. However, U.S.-imposed tariffs and restrictions on Chinese tech could lead to price hikes and supply chain disruptions.

“Telecom infrastructure is globally interconnected. Any disruption in the supply chain, especially when it affects key partners like Huawei, will likely translate to higher operational costs for African operators,” Mupita explained.

Potential Impact on African Consumers

Mupita warned that if these costs are passed down to telecom operators, the ultimate burden may fall on African consumers in the form of higher data and call rates, delayed network expansion projects, and slower rollout of emerging technologies like 5G.

MTN’s Strategic Response

Despite the looming challenges, Mupita assured that MTN is exploring alternative suppliers and local partnerships to mitigate the potential risks. He also emphasized the need for African governments to promote regional manufacturing of telecom equipment to reduce reliance on foreign imports.

Call for Policy Consideration

Mupita urged African leaders to stay alert to the global economic shifts and proactively negotiate trade terms that protect the continent’s digital economy from external shocks.

“Africa’s digital future should not be a casualty of global trade wars. We must focus on building resilient supply chains within the continent,” he said.