MTN GlobalConnect has been rebranded to Bayobab to reflect the company's strategic transformation journey to connect Africa with open next-gen digital solutions through its two distinct businesses, Bayobab Fibre and Bayobab Communication Platforms.
The brand reveal took
place at International Telecommunications Week (ITW) Conference in Washington
DC, attended by over 6000 delegates from across the digital wholesale telecoms
community.
MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita said, “Building the largest and most valuable
platforms is part of our Ambition 2025 strategic priorities. The brand change
from MTN GlobalConnect to Bayobab reflects the change underway to position the
business as a world-class, Africa-focused open-access digital infrastructure
platform serving not just MTN but other third parties as customers. We will
also bring strategic partners into the business over time who will provide
skills and capital to support and accelerate the growth of this business.”
Inspired by the Baobab tree – which many recognize as
the “tree of life”, Bayobab is the enabler of the
digital connectivity value chain across the African continent. The rebrand is
the first step in the business transformation journey since announcing MTN
Group’s Ambition 2025 strategy to structurally separate its fibre business,
targeted for completion by 2024. This will enable Bayobab to unlock value
within the business, attract strategic partners, and comply with local
regulations across its key markets.
Commenting on the rebrand, Frédéric Schepens, Bayobab
Group CEO, said: “As a young
entrepreneurial business delivering value through open next-gen digital
solutions, we believe Bayobab best encompasses our vision of connecting Africa
and ensures we add meaningful value across the continent.”
“Our strategy has
borne much fruit, as evidenced by our performance and delivery. We are
well-positioned to open a significant digital doorway that bridges Africa’s digital
divide to connect communities,” Schepens
added.
Looking ahead, Bayobab will continue investing in the
business and its people to achieve its strategic goals. As Bayobab, we will
remain committed to forging strong global partnerships that connect the
unconnected, deepening internet adoption to accelerate Africa’s vision for
digital transformation.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
