Growing social media calls in Nigeria and other West African countries for the boycott of African-owned businesses, including telecommunications giant MTN, have sparked concerns over the future of continental integration and economic cooperation.
The backlash follows recent anti-immigrant tensions in South Africa, which triggered online campaigns targeting companies perceived to be South African-owned.
However, economists and business leaders have warned that retaliatory actions against pan-African companies could undermine efforts to deepen regional trade and economic integration.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to create a single market across 54 African countries, depends significantly on cross-border investments and businesses operating across the continent. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa estimates that AfCFTA could increase intra-African trade by more than 50 per cent.
MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, said companies with operations across Africa are deeply integrated into the economies they serve.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Mupita noted that less than 20 per cent of MTN’s earnings come from South Africa, while about 80 per cent is generated from other African markets.
He described MTN as a pan-African business and advocated constructive dialogue in addressing complex issues affecting the continent.
Analysts also warned that any disruption to major telecom operators could have serious economic consequences, particularly in countries like Nigeria where the telecommunications sector supports fintech, e-commerce and millions of jobs.
They stressed the need for African governments to protect migrants, address xenophobic incidents and create an environment that allows regional businesses to thrive.
According to the experts, preserving continental unity and economic cooperation remains critical to Africa’s long-term prosperity.
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