Encomium
MTN Nigeria has reaffirmed its role as a key driver of Africa’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem following a successful showing at the 2025 ABAN Congress, which concluded on October 18 in Lagos.
The two-day event, themed “Accelerating Local Capital Participation,” brought together more than 400 delegates, including investors, founders, and policymakers from across 37 African countries. It marked the 10th anniversary of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN) a platform that has mobilised over 6,000 angel investors and catalysed $35 million in startup investments across the continent.
MTN Nigeria, one of the headline partners for this year’s congress, used the platform to showcase its MoMo, enterprise, and connectivity solutions as tools for driving inclusion, powering startups, and connecting African capital to innovation.
One of the key highlights of the congress was the panel discussion on Growth & Scale – Market Expansion & Co-Investment, moderated by Joanna Mustapha of News Central TV. The session featured Omotayo Ojutalayo, General Manager of Enterprise Business Development at MTN Nigeria; Mr. Oti Ileta-Mehi, CPA, Investment Principal at Aletia; and Ms. Cecilia Akintomide, Chairperson of Ring Capital.
The panel explored practical ways investors and corporates can collaborate to accelerate startup growth, scale innovations across borders, and build resilience in Africa’s emerging markets.
Speaking at the event, Omotayo shared insights into MTN’s commitment to strengthening Africa’s startup ecosystem through both capital investment and capacity building.
“We recently launched the MTN Cloud Accelerator Program as one of the ways we’re supporting startups. Out of over 8,000 applicants, we’ve narrowed down to about 20 that we’re working with over a 12-week journey. It’s about capital investment, but also the softer skills startups need to thrive. We’re engaging them with our subject matter experts in financial management, human resources, risk and compliance, and regulatory affairs. These are the kinds of investments that go beyond funding; they’re about building long-term resilience and growth capacity for African startups.”
Fellow panelist Oti, emphasised the value of co-investment as a strategy for de-risking investments, noting that Aletia leverages the local expertise of partner investors to navigate new markets and sectors more effectively.
“Co-investment allows us to leverage the expertise of investors who have boots on the ground or a deeper understanding of a particular market. It’s a way to de-risk not just from an execution perspective, but also from a knowledge standpoint. The right partner becomes an asset, helping us make smarter, more sustainable investments.”
Throughout the congress, MTN facilitated conversations on startup infrastructure, fintech enablement, and cross-border capital flows. The company hosted live demonstrations of MoMo for Business, showcasing its role in helping entrepreneurs transact, save, and scale efficiently.
According to industry data, Africa’s fintech market is projected to reach $65 billion by 2030, driven by mobile money adoption and a fast-growing youth population. With over 70 million MoMo users across Africa, MTN continues to be one of the continent’s most impactful financial inclusion players.
The company’s involvement forms part of its Ambition 2025 vision to deliver digital solutions that empower Africa’s people, businesses, and communities. By strengthening its partnerships within Africa’s innovation ecosystem, MTN continues to cement its position as a trusted enabler of inclusive growth and enterprise resilience.
