MTN CEO Mupita Calls for Borderless Africa to Unlock Economic Growth

The Group Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Ralph Mupita, has called for the dismantling of xenophobic barriers across Africa, arguing that the continent’s long-term prosperity depends on greater integration, the free movement of people and cross-border trade.

Speaking at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation (KMF) Winter Seminar in South Africa, Mupita described migration as an integral part of Africa’s identity and urged governments to embrace openness rather than exclusion.

“The digital economy we’re fast moving to knows no borders,” he said, warning that protectionist attitudes and xenophobia are outdated and undermine Africa’s ability to compete in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

Mupita argued that for Africa to fully realise the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), countries must first overcome the psychological and social barriers that continue to divide the continent.

He pointed to MTN’s own operations as evidence of the value of regional integration.

“We earn about 80 to 82 per cent of our earnings from outside South Africa,” Mupita revealed, noting that the success of South African companies is closely tied to the economic growth of the rest of the continent. The figure, he said, demonstrates the deep interdependence of African economies and the risks posed by isolationist policies.

Calling for stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector, Mupita said Africa’s future would be shaped by shared opportunities rather than political boundaries.

“The future of Africa will not be determined by the borders that separate us, but by the economic opportunities that connect us. Governments must set predictable policy and regulations. Businesses will follow and allocate resources and capital. Together, we can build a continent where opportunity is more evenly shared and prosperity is more widely created,” he said.

Mupita also stressed that migration should be viewed as an economic asset rather than a threat.

“Migration is part of who we are,” he said, arguing that the movement of people facilitates the flow of skills, capital and innovation that are essential for sustainable economic development.

His remarks come at a time when economic uncertainty and rising unemployment have fuelled nationalist and anti-immigrant sentiments in parts of Africa, particularly South Africa. By linking the fight against xenophobia to economic performance, Mupita positioned Pan-African integration not only as a moral imperative but also as a business necessity for the continent’s future growth.