MTN Uganda is positioned itself strategically to capitalize on possibilities in the oil and gas sector by investing in sophisticated technology to create digital solutions and improve revenues, notably from data services. At the Uganda International Oil and Gas Summit, Sylvia Mulinge, CEO of MTN Uganda, discussed the company’s initiatives, highlighting its commitment to delivering ICT solutions for diverse businesses.
MTN Uganda has undertaken significant infrastructure investments as part of its Ambition 2025 Strategy, with an emphasis on real-time data transmission and continuous monitoring of critical operations in oil and gas exploration, production, and distribution. Mulinge emphasized the importance of the telecommunications industry in helping the highly sophisticated oil and gas sector.
Among the key initiatives are:
- Mobile Broadband Towers: MTN Uganda has provided two mobile broadband tower services to oil operators, such as Total Energies, to enable critical wireless access for remote monitoring of drilling progress.
- Mobile Telecom Masts: Over 70 mobile telecom masts have been erected in key oil and gas areas to ensure effective connectivity and operations.
- Microwave Links: The company has installed 16 Microwave links supporting various oil customers at strategic locations to ensure high-speed wireless connectivity for voice, video, and data information exchange.
- Fiber Infrastructure: MTN Uganda has established a total of 190km of fiber infrastructure along key routes, with an additional 47km of fiber distributed in specific areas.
- Partnerships and Certifications: MTN Uganda has secured partnerships, including becoming a Microsoft Partner, allowing the provision of modern work solutions and other cloud suite services. Collaborations with industry leaders like Cisco and Galooli enhance the delivery of unified communication services and customized Internet of Things solutions.
MTN Uganda intends to improve connection even further by 2024, with new telecom sites, increased fiber infrastructure, and the activation of 5G technology around important oil and gas base camps. The firm intends to supplement its technology advances with activities that will empower local communities and help to long-term development.
MTN Uganda reported a 19.3% increase in profit after tax for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, mostly due to higher use of data and fintech services, which climbed by 24% and 24.9%, respectively. The company’s emphasis on capitalizing on possibilities in the oil and gas sector matches with its larger growth and innovation strategy.
