MTN reports cybersecurity breach, customer data in select markets affected 

The company with operations in Nigeria and 15 other markets across Africa and the Middle East did not specify which of its operations were affected.

MTN, in a statement released late Thursday, however, clarified that the incident did not impact its core network, billing systems, or financial services infrastructure, all of which remain secure and fully operational.

The company noted that the breach involved a third party gaining access to parts of its systems, raising concerns about potential data exposure.

“At this stage, we do not have any information to suggest that customers’ accounts and wallets have been directly compromised,” the company added.

Following the discovery of the breach, MTN said it swiftly activated its cybersecurity response protocols.

The telecoms giant informed law enforcement authorities in South Africa, including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Hawks, and has also notified relevant regulatory agencies in affected countries.

The company stated it is cooperating closely with these authorities as investigations continue and is in the process of notifying affected customers in line with local regulatory requirements.

As a precaution, MTN is urging its customers to remain vigilant and adopt recommended cybersecurity practices. These include:

MTN emphasized that the privacy and security of customer information remains its top priority. “We remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of our systems and the trust placed in us by our customers and other stakeholders,” the company stated.

The Group assured stakeholders that it is managing the situation carefully and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

The MTN cybersecurity breach comes at a time when telecoms and financial services providers are under increasing pressure to bolster digital security amid rising cyber threats globally.