Transforming Africa: MTN and ODC unite

The ORAN Development Company (ODC), based in Northern Virginia with development teams in the UK and India, has announced a strategic collaboration with MTN Group, Africa’s leading telecommunications provider

MTN delivers connectivity solutions across the continent, from bustling urban centers to remote villages. This partnership aims to create and test innovative Open RAN (ORAN) solutions specifically designed to meet the unique demands of African networks. The collaboration aligns with MTN Group’s mission to deliver affordable, high-quality telecommunications services throughout Africa, leveraging advanced Open RAN architectures for enhanced network flexibility.

Headquartered in Johannesburg, MTN Group operates across 16 African countries, connecting over 280 million users. Committed to driving Africa’s digital transformation, MTN has consistently embraced cutting-edge technologies to address connectivity challenges and meet the needs of its diverse customer base.

Transforming Africa's networks 

As part of this partnership, ODC and MTN Group will initiate joint lab projects to develop and test ORAN solutions that enhance network agility, scalability, and efficiency. These efforts include lab and field trials to ensure optimal performance and seamless integration into MTN’s current network infrastructure.

Additionally, MTN Group will provide insights to help ODC refine its ORAN software and platform development, incorporating artificial intelligence to reduce operational expenditure (OPEX). The collaboration will also explore advanced research in 6G and non-terrestrial communications, integrating these innovations into ODC’s ORAN solutions.

“Open RAN represents a transformative approach to how we design and operate our infrastructure—enhancing flexibility, driving cost efficiencies, and paving the way for next-generation technologies,” said Amith Maharaj, MTN Group network design and planning executive. “At MTN, we are continuously seeking innovative solutions to address Africa’s unique connectivity challenges while building resilient and future-ready networks. Through our collaboration with ODC, we are unlocking new possibilities to expand our reach, improve service quality, and empower the communities and businesses we serve.”

Matthew Johnson, global head of ODC, expressed,“Our collaboration with MTN Group focuses ODC directly on MTN’s unique network needs, enhancing efficiencies while supporting the evolution of next-generation capabilities, silicon, and AI.”

This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing network innovation in Africa. ODC is proud to support MTN Group in developing robust, adaptable solutions for the continent’s future connectivity needs.