MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecommunications operator, has climbed to second place globally in the 2026 Ranking Digital Rights (RDR) Index, becoming the first telecommunications company headquartered in an emerging market to break into the world’s top three performers.
The achievement represents a major milestone in the Group’s ongoing push to deepen transparency, strengthen governance, and safeguard digital rights for citizens across the markets it serves.
A Global Benchmark for Accountability
The RDR Index is widely recognised as the leading global benchmark for corporate accountability in the technology and telecommunications industry. It assesses how companies protect fundamental human rights — including freedom of expression and privacy — through their policies, governance structures, and public disclosures.
Against this backdrop, MTN posted a score of 42 out of 100, reflecting sustained momentum in improving transparency during this assessment cycle. The Group leapt from sixth position in the previous ranking to second, one of the most notable jumps in this year’s index.
Speaking on the Group’s performance, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Nompilo Morafo, said the results reflect deliberate action taken across the business.
“Our progress in the Ranking Digital Rights Index reflects the deliberate steps we have taken to strengthen governance, enhance transparency and embed respect for digital human rights across our operations,” Morafo said.
What Drove the Rise?
MTN’s improved standing was driven by score increases across all three RDR assessment categories, underpinned by:
- Strengthened governance disclosures
- The introduction of a comprehensive advertising content policy
- Enhanced measures around user data protection
- Balancing Growth With Responsibility
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As Africa’s leading digital platform, MTN operates across a wide and complex array of regulatory environments, where balancing digital inclusion with human rights considerations has become an increasingly critical part of doing business on the continent.
The Group says it remains committed to deepening transparency and disclosure practices, embedding digital human rights across all its markets, strengthening governance and accountability mechanisms, and aligning with evolving global standards and stakeholder expectations.
As digital connectivity continues to expand across Africa, MTN says it will continue to play a leading role in ensuring that the benefits of a modern, connected life are delivered responsibly, ethically, and inclusively.