Coinspeaker
Mastercard to Acquire Minority Stake in MTN’s Fintech Business
MTN Group Ltd (JSE: MTN), Africa’s largest wireless carrier, has announced that Mastercard Inc (NYSE: MA) is planning to purchase a minority stake in its financial technology business. This investment deal values the fintech arm at approximately $5.2 billion, representing almost 40% of MTN’s total market value.
MTN’s Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita stated in a recent report that the signing of the definitive investment agreements between MTN and Mastercard is anticipated to take place in the near term.
Promise of the MTN-Mastercard Partnership
This strategic partnership with Mastercard holds immense promise for both companies. MTN’s extensive reach across the African continent, combined with Mastercard’s expertise in secure payment technology, is poised to accelerate the growth and accessibility of fintech services in the region.
This influx of funds can serve as a temporary substitute for dividends from subsidiaries, providing financial flexibility and allowing MTN to address short-term financial needs or allocate resources to strategic initiatives.
Furthermore, the cash injection from Mastercard’s investment can partly offset the impact of increased 2023 capital spending guidance for MTN, which has been affected by forex (foreign exchange) fluctuations.
This balance-sheet reinforcement, combined with Mastercard’s expertise in payment technology and financial services will position MTN to pursue its digital transformation efforts and expand its fintech offerings more aggressively.
Mastercard’s investment in MTN’s mobile money unit reflects a broader industry trend, with companies such as Airtel Africa and Safaricom likewise focusing on transitioning from basic voice and text mobile services to comprehensive digital solutions. This precedent, set by other industry giants like India’s Jio Platforms Ltd, underscores the importance of collaboration and strategic investment in driving innovation and growth in the digital economy.
As MTN seeks to raise funds through asset sales, including the sale and lease-back of mobile-phone towers and potentially divesting its stake in IHS Holding Ltd., the market will closely watch the execution of these plans, as they could further enhance MTN’s financial position and support its growth objectives.
MTN Reports Impressive Half-Year Earnings
In the midst of this strategic partnership, MTN has delivered impressive financial results for the first half of the year. The company revealed a 7.1% increase in its half-year earnings.
MTN reported that its headline earnings per share (EPS), a key measure of profitability, rose from 506 cents in the same period the previous year to 542 cents in the first six months of the current year. This robust financial performance signals the company’s resilience and adaptability in a dynamic market environment.
The company has faced operational challenges due to frequent power outages, which compelled it to allocate substantial capital to backup power systems. Despite these hurdles, MTN has remained proactive in its pursuit of strategic partnerships that could enhance its fintech offerings.
Mastercard to Acquire Minority Stake in MTN’s Fintech Business
