The program will roll out systematically over an 18-month period, ending in December 2026, with an initial focus on Gauteng before expanding nationwide. MTN’s strategy targets existing customers based on specific usage profiles, spending patterns, and account longevity.

“At MTN, we are committed to going the extra mile to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital era. As the country transitions to technologies like 4G and 5G, it is vital that we take proactive steps to connect as many South Africans as possible,” said MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi.

Three-Phase Implementation

The initiative’s carefully structured approach includes:

Phase One (Starting May 2025): 5,000 selected customers primarily in Gauteng will receive the first wave of devices

Phase Two: Expansion to over 130,000 customers nationwide

Phase Three: Full-scale deployment reaching more than 1.1 million MTN customers across South Africa

Each smartphone will come pre-loaded with essential applications designed to enhance access to digital tools and services. A key condition of the program requires that these heavily subsidized devices remain exclusively on the MTN network.

“Through this initiative, we are not only providing our customers with the tools they need to access digital services, but we are also playing an active role in helping to bridge the digital divide. Regardless of where they live, we want to ensure that all South Africans can access the digital world,” Molapisi added.

Strategic Partnership

To implement this massive undertaking, MTN has partnered with Smartphone For All Pty Limited, a company specializing in affordable mobile technology solutions.

“Today marks a pivotal step in our journey to bridge the digital divide. By making smartphones more accessible and affordable, we are unlocking opportunities for millions who have been left behind in the digital economy,” said Babatunde Osho, Founder and CEO of Smartphone For All Pty Limited.

Wanda Matandela, Chief Business and Enterprise Officer at MTN Business says; “Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and business in the informal sector play an important role in South Africa’s economy by providing employment opportunities as well as driving much-needed growth.”

MTN Business offers small, medium, and large bundle packages with validity of 7 days, 14 days and 30 days respectively.  

Below is the breakdown of packages:  

Customers can simply register for MTN Made for Skhokho plans on the Made for Skhokho portal thereafter recharge using the MTN App.

In addition, MTN also announced they will be zero-rating the use of the app on the network. Meaning, use of the app will be free for MTN subscribers. The app is available for free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The COVID Alert SA app, which was designed by Discovery for the National Department of Health, uses Bluetooth contact-tracing technology to let people know when they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. It does this in a way that always preserves app user privacy and anonymity.

According to MTN SA’s executive for Corporate Affairs, Ms Jacqui O’Sullivan. “One of the critical aspects of combatting COVID-19 is the ability to detect positive cases early and to isolate as many contacts as possible. The COVID Alert SA app gives every smartphone user in South Africa the chance to understand their exposure to the virus, so that we can all protect our families and our communities, and especially those people who are most at risk of severe disease.”

Since the start of the nationwide lockdown MTN has worked with government to zero rate over 900 individual URLs to ensure that South Africans are able to access important online resources and information during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The service enables customers and general consumers to transact and make payments using their cellphone rather than traditional banking services.

MTN South Africa chief officer for mobile financial services Felix Kamenga said MTN envisions these services helping to bridge the gap for those who do not currently use banking services.

Just late last week the company announced that it has launched some new functionalities aimed at assisting South Africans during challenging economic times. These include the new food vouchers functionality, and the option for users to make charitable donations to a range of reputable, vetted charity and faith-based organisations that are offering relief to those who need it the most.

The food voucher service is designed to assist registered MoMo users, by removing the worry of giving cash to someone to purchase essential items – it could be a family member, neighbour, someone at work or a stranger in need.

This new functionality enables MoMo users to send food vouchers to anyone with a valid cellphone number. On the other hand, recipients of the food vouchers do not need to be MoMo users at all.  They simply need to show the voucher code, which they would have received via SMS to the cashier at the participating retailers such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, Makro and Col Cacchio.

People wishing to use the service on the MoMo platform, but using other networks, can also do so by downloading MoMo in the App Stores, or they can register via USSD by dialling *120*151#

While it’s not perfectly clear what this image and text represents, it bears something to do with music, liking it, sharing it and downloading it. MTN’s own website seem to to link to this MTN Music+ site, could this be it? But seeing as how MTN isn’t about to unveil a phone, our money’s on the teaser alluding to a Music sharing service, whether it’s optional or standard service for MTN users and device. Whatever shows up, it’s pretty obvious that April 23rd is going to be a very busy day for MTN — we’ll be sure to attend those events and let you know what MTN, Vodacom and others have to offer.