MTN Group, Africa’s largest mobile operator, has confirmed a cybersecurity breach that exposed the personal data of some customers across certain markets. In a statement posted on its official website on Thursday, the telecom giant acknowledged that an unidentified third party gained unauthorized access to parts of its systems, though its critical infrastructure and core services remain uncompromised.

While the full extent of the breach is still under investigation, MTN emphasized that there is no evidence suggesting customer accounts, digital wallets, or financial platforms were directly affected.

“There has been no compromise to any of our critical infrastructure, core MTN platforms, or services,” the statement read. “Our core network, billing systems, and financial services infrastructure remain secure and fully operational.”

Immediate Action and Regulatory Engagement

Headquartered in Johannesburg and serving over 280 million subscribers across 19 countries, MTN disclosed that it has notified the South African Police Service and the Hawks, a specialized crime-fighting unit, about the incident. The company is also working with authorities and regulatory bodies in affected countries, pledging full cooperation as investigations unfold.

In accordance with data protection laws in various jurisdictions, MTN has begun notifying impacted customers and is coordinating with local regulators to ensure compliance with notification requirements.

“We have informed the relevant country authorities and will continue to update them on an ongoing basis while working closely with them and law enforcement agencies,” MTN said.

Customer Advisory and Preventive Measures

MTN is urging customers to remain vigilant and adopt enhanced security practices to protect their personal information. Recommended actions include:

  • Placing fraud alerts on credit reports
  • Updating mobile apps regularly
  • Using strong, unique passwords
  • Exercising caution with unsolicited messages or suspicious links
  • Avoiding the sharing of sensitive information (passwords, PINs, OTPs) via phone, text, or email
  • Enabling multi-factor authentication where available

The company acknowledged the gravity of the incident but stressed that it remains committed to maintaining customer trust and strengthening its cybersecurity infrastructure.

As investigations continue and the company works to contain the fallout, customers are encouraged to follow MTN's official channels for verified updates and security guidance.