MTN Business announced today that it has partnered up with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) Gauteng Region as part of a strategy to prop up local businesses. The agreement, which was signed during a ceremony at the MTN Innovation Centre, will see the Council become an official reseller of MTN’s business-based products, “including mobile data, ICT services, and enterprise connectivity tools.”
“SANTACO is not only a transportation powerhouse, but it also represents community enterprise and resilience at scale. By collaborating with SANTACO, we are helping unlock digital and economic participation where it matters most,” said Charles Molapisi, CEO of MTN South Africa.
Hail to the Taxi
MTN called the taxi industry the “backbone of South Africa’s economy,” and it’s hard to argue with the assessment, considering the millions of locals who rely on taxis daily to get to and from work. The plan aligns with “key pillars” of SA’s National Development Plan (NDP), with MTN helping create jobs, nurture infrastructure, and help provide coverage to all — even to those in rural areas.
Taxi owners and drivers will be given tools to “diversify” their incomes, while diminishing the digital divide that still remains for South Africa’s poorer residents. There’s no denying that easier access to MTN’s business solutions can help narrow the digital divide, particularly among South Africa’s poorer residents.
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“This partnership marks a new chapter for the taxi industry, one where digital tools and connectivity can help uplift our operators and communities,” said Midday Mali, Chairperson, SANTACO Gauteng. “We are proud to join forces with MTN Business to bring real economic opportunities to our members and ensure that the transport sector continues to play a vital role in South Africa’s development.”
It’s not yet clear how and when SANTACO Gauteng expects to get its owners and drivers involved in the initiative, nor what sort of profits they could expect to see once all is said and done. We’ve reached out to MTN for more information, but we haven’t heard back at the time of publication. If all goes according to plan, however, both MTN and SANTACO could be onto a winner here.
