Wrap Text
Quarterly update for the period ended 30 September 2016
MTN Group Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration number: 1994/009584/06
ISIN: ZAE000042164
Share code: MTN
(“MTN” or “the Group”)
Quarterly update for the period ended 30 September 2016
MTN is a leading emerging market mobile operator, connecting approximately 234,7 million people in 22 countries across
Africa and the Middle East. We are at the forefront of global technological changes, delivering a bold, new Digital
World to our customers.
Highlights
- New Group President and CEO, Rob Shuter to join MTN on 13 March 2017
- Group transformational project commenced during the quarter under review
- MTN has commenced the repatriation of funds from MTN Irancell to MTN Group
- Group subscribers increased 0,9% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ)
- MTN South Africa delivered encouraging improvement in EBITDA margin (+200bp QoQ)
- MTN Nigeria reported a 1,2% decline in revenue Q3 2016 year-on-year (YoY) compared to a 6,2% decline in Q1 2016 (YoY)
as the operation continued to deliver incremental improvements in revenue
- Significant network improvement across the Group, particularly in the Nigerian and South African operations
- Group capex increased 10,5% YoY to R21 230 million with 2 669 3G and 1 995 4G sites added
- Constant currency data revenue increased 21,0% YoY, to contribute 26,4% to total revenue
- Voice and data traffic increased 1,8% and 142% respectively YoY
YoY refers to the nine months to September 2016 versus the nine months to September 2015.
QoQ refers to Q3 2016 versus Q2 2016.
MTN Group executive chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko, comments:
“During the quarter the Group embarked on a material transformation project, focusing initially on its key operations
of Nigeria and South Africa. A dedicated transformation office was established to drive this transformation to maximise
revenue growth, enable a distinct customer experience and ensure operational efficiencies, including concerted
initiatives to drive optimal return on investment, with hard targets set for the next 12, 18 and 24 months. Operations
are expected to deliver the first results on clearly defined targets in the first half of 2017.
Over the past 12 months the Group has made a number of senior management changes to ensure efficient operational
execution, enhance stakeholder engagement, manage reputational risk and ensure solid governance across its operations.
The appointment of a new Group Chief Financial Officer as well as the few other outstanding senior management changes
and appointments will be concluded by year end.
Following the announcement of senior management changes made on 20 June 2016 we are pleased to announce that the
starting date for new Group President and CEO Rob Shuter has been brought forward. Rob will be joining us on
13 March 2017.
With the completion of my two key mandates of settling the Nigerian regulatory fine and appointing a new Group
President and CEO I will revert to my role as non-executive chairman as soon as Rob assumes his position as Group
President and CEO on 13 March 2017. In the interim, whilst I will continue as executive chairman to provide oversight,
I will delegate more operational responsibilities to Gunter Engling, acting CFO and Stephen Van Coller, VP M&A and Strategy.
I will also ensure that all outstanding senior management appointments are completed and the new senior management team is
fully settled in before year end.
During the quarter, we appointed Felleng Sekha as Executive: Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy, effective 10
October 2016. Felleng brings experience in management of political, public policy, legal and regulatory affairs in the
African ICT sector.
Despite a tough operating environment as a result of weaker macro-economic conditions, particularly in oil-dependent
economies, as well as the regulatory challenges experienced, we are confident that the fundamental changes implemented
over the past year position the Group well to participate efficiently and effectively in the data evolution and ensure
sound stakeholder relationships and governance processes.
During the period under review, the South African business delivered a pleasing QoQ sequential improvement in both
revenue and margin. Revenue improved by more than 3,6% QoQ while the EBITDA margin expanded by more than 200 bp QoQ. MTN
South Africa expects to maintain this improvement in EBITDA margin in the fourth quarter.
After reporting a YoY decline in revenue in the first and second quarter of 2016 of 6,2% and 3,3% respectively, in the
third quarter MTN Nigeria’s revenue YoY decline was limited to 1,2% as the business continued to experience incremental
improvements in revenues. We are confident of delivering positive YoY revenue metrics in the fourth quarter.
We are pleased to report that we have commenced the repatriation of cash from MTN Irancell to the Group and expect to
conclude the process over the next six months.
MTN issued a SENS announcement on 28 September 2016 in which MTN Nigeria’s CEO Ferdi Moolman refuted allegations made
on the floor of the Senate that MTN Nigeria had improperly repatriated funds from Nigeria. Ferdi Moolman said that
“The allegations made against MTN Nigeria are completely unfounded and without any merit.”
In the latest development on this matter, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has through the Senate
Committee on Banking and Insurance and other Financial Institutions commenced an investigation into the alleged
“unscrupulous violation” of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous) Act. MTN Nigeria, four commercial banks,
certain MTN Nigeria directors and shareholders, the Central Bank of Nigeria and others appeared before the Senate on
20 October 2016 at the outset of this investigation.
The allegations are that $13.97 billion was repatriated illegally by MTN Nigeria through its bankers. MTN Nigeria and
its bankers are cooperating with the investigation with a view to resolving the matter as expeditiously as possible. In
the interim the CBN has instructed the banks to suspend any remittance of dividends until further notice. MTN Nigeria is
committed to the payment of the N330bn fine related to the late disconnection of ‘improperly registered’ SIMS and as
such has not declared a dividend since April 2015 and MTN Nigeria has no intention to make any dividend payments over
the next six months. MTN Nigeria continues to refute the allegations that MTN Nigeria had improperly repatriated funds
from Nigeria. Consequently MTN Nigeria will strongly defend any action that would be prejudicial to its interest."
SEA region includes South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Botswana (joint venture), Swaziland (joint venture) and
South Sudan.
WECA region includes Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Benin, Congo Brazzaville, Liberia, Guinea Conakry and
Guinea Bissau.
MENA region includes Iran (joint venture), Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Afghanistan and Cyprus.
SEA
MTN South Africa reported a marginal decline in subscribers of 0,5% QoQ to 29,7 million. This was as a result of a
0,7% decline in the pre-paid subscriber base to 24,5 million, largely due to churn from low revenue-generating customers.
The post-paid subscriber base increased by 0,7% to 5,2 million, benefiting from an improved customer experience, network
quality, segmented customer offerings and attractive price plans.
Data revenue increased by 15,1% YoY and contributed 34,4% to total revenue. This was driven by the increased volumes
of high-denomination data bundles sold and attractive digital offerings. The increase in the number of smartphones and
improvements made on the network also contributed to data revenue growth. The number of smartphones on the network
increased by 9,3% to 9,2 million YoY. ARPU increased by 10,4% QoQ.
Other SEA - across the rest of the region, the number of subscribers increased by 1,0% to 23,3 million, mainly driven
by good growth in Uganda.
MTN Uganda increased its subscriber base by 2,9% QoQ to 10,2 million, supported by a special sales channel and a
reduction in churn. Constant currency data revenue increased by 20,4% YoY and contributed 33,7% to total revenue. This
was supported by our LTE leadership position, smartphone subsidisation and attractive data bundles. The operation recorded
1,3 million smartphones on the network . Local currency ARPU remained constant QoQ.
WECA
MTN Nigeria reported a 2,5% increase in its subscriber base to 60,5 million (QoQ). The reported subscriber base was
negatively impacted by the exclusion from our active base of approximately 3.1 million subscribers relating to a change
in subscriber accounting rules where we no longer account for subscribers whose activity was based on the receipt of a
bulk SMS. On the upside subscriber numbers were supported mainly by reconnection through proactive engagement following
their disconnection in line with regulatory requirements earlier this year. MTN Nigeria continues to engage the
regulatory authorities on improving the approval process for promotions, products and services following the
re-instatement of regulatory services to MTN.
Constant currency data revenue increased by 6,7% and contributed 20,4% to total revenue. This is largely the result of
a weaker macro-economic environment negatively impacting consumers, a decline in the effective data tariff because of
competition and regulatory requirements impacting out-of-bundle billing. The data traffic increased by 43,8% YoY,
benefiting from an improved data network and increased smartphone penetration. The number of smartphones on the network
increased by 59,4% to 19,2 million YoY. Local currency ARPU decreased by 1,4% QoQ.
Other WECA - the remainder of the region increased its subscriber base by 2,3% to 47,6 million, driven by growth in
MTN Ghana and MTN Ivory Coast.
MTN Ghana delivered a strong performance and grew its subscriber base by 2,7% to 18,0 million. This was supported by
attractive voice and data bundle propositions. Constant currency data revenue increased by 72,8% and contributed 41,7%
to total revenue. This was helped by strong growth in digital and mobile financial services as well as the launch of LTE
services. Local currency ARPU increased by 3,7% QoQ. The number of MTN Mobile Money customers increased by 10,7% QoQ to
7,8 million.
MTN Cameroon’s subscriber base decreased by 1,3% to 9,5 million, impacted by the subscriber registration process.
Constant currency data revenue increased by 28,3% and contributed 19,0% to total revenue. The increased focus on the
monetisation of its LTE network together with higher volumes of LTE handsets during the quarter contributed positively
to data revenue growth. The number of Mobile Money customers increased by 13,2% to 2,7 million QoQ, supported by
improved distribution.
MENA
MTN Irancell increased its subscriber base by 1,1% QoQ to 47,8 million in a highly penetrated market. Constant
currency data revenue increased by 61,5% QoQ and contributed 41,5% to total revenue despite a decrease in data tariffs.
This was largely due to a successful leadership position on its data network experience, aggressive 3G and 4G rollout
as well as increased smartphone penetration. The number of smartphones on the network increased by 35,1% to 29,2 million.
Local currency ARPU increased by 4,3% QoQ.
Other MENA - the subscriber base in the remainder of the region decreased by 3,9% to 25,8 million.
MTN Sudan’s subscriber base decreased by 13,0% to 7,7 million due to the subscriber registration process. However,
constant currency data revenue increased by 78,4%, driven by digital content, and contributed 28,2% to total revenue.
Local currency ARPU increased by 7,7% QoQ.
Net additions guidance ’000
June 2016 Revised September 2016
SEA 1 850 3 500
South Africa 1 100 1 100
Uganda 950 1 600
Other (200) 800
WECA 4 725 3 750
Nigeria 800 120
Ghana 1 800 2 000
Cameroon 1 000 900
Ivory Coast 475 550
Other 650 180
MENA 1 500 1 750
Iran 1 500 1 750
Sudan (100) -
Syria 400 -
Other (300) -
Total 8 075 9 000
The financial information on which this quarterly update is based has not been reviewed and reported on by MTN’s
external auditors.
Fairland
24 October 2016
Sponsor
Deutsche Securities (SA) Proprietary Limited
Subscribers
(’000)
Country 1Q15 2Q15 3Q15 4Q15 1Q16 2Q16 3Q16 QoQ %
SEA 51 625 52 168 53 439 52 853 52 796 52 872 52 974 0,2
South Africa 27 958 28 504 29 077 30 588 30 077 29 805 29 667 (0,5)
Postpaid 5 402 5 328 5 190 5 242 5 198 5 132 5 166 0,7
Prepaid 22 555 23 176 23 888 25 346 24 879 24 673 24 502 (0,7)
Uganda 10 791 11 146 11 524 8 929 9 624 9 891 10 180 2,9
Rwanda 3 889 3 958 4 010 4 119 4 015 3 989 4 094 2,6
Zambia 5 386 4 901 5 026 5 264 5 197 5 417 5 392 (0,5)
South Sudan 904 982 1 084 1 200 1 126 1 055 892 (15,5)
Botswana (joint venture) 1 783 1 784 1 794 1 758 1 826 1 798 1 805 0,4
Swaziland (joint venture) 915 892 923 995 931 919 945 2,9
WECA 104 798 108 082 107 952 106 576 102 952 105 560 108 109 2,4
Nigeria 61 149 62 813 62 494 61 252 57 045 58 978 60 462 2,5
Ghana 14 208 14 886 15 493 16 255 17 004 17 579 18 050 2,7
Cameroon 10 097 10 363 9 949 9 178 9 477 9 648 9 521 (1,3)
Ivory Coast 8 295 8 488 8 461 8 346 8 140 8 236 8 542 3,7
Benin 3 782 3 913 3 989 4 012 3 923 3 962 3 988 0,6
Conakry 3 272 3 485 3 362 3 244 3 075 2 748 2 941 7,0
Congo B 2 038 2 128 2 216 2 250 2 175 2 270 2 333 2,8
Liberia 1 319 1 300 1 300 1 357 1 409 1 443 1 574 9,1
Bissau 636 705 689 682 704 696 699 0,4
MENA 71 080 70 747 71 663 73 071 73 855 74 145 73 613 (0,7)
Iran (joint venture) 44 421 44 146 45 464 46 142 46 852 47 316 47 837 1,1
Syria 5 747 5 765 5 769 5 972 5 802 5 837 5 899 1,1
Sudan 8 595 8 757 8 315 8 462 8 800 8 814 7 668 (13,0)
Yemen 5 595 5 239 5 255 5 351 5 335 5 310 5 322 0,2
Afghanistan 6 390 6 487 6 503 6 785 6 702 6 482 6 480 0,0
Cyprus 331 354 356 359 363 386 407 5,5
Total subscribers 227 503 230 997 233 054 232 500 229 603 232 577 234 696 0,9
MTN Group Limited
Quarterly update for the period ended 30 September 2016
ARPU
(Local currency)
Country 1Q15 2Q15 3Q15 4Q15 1Q16 2Q16 3Q16 QoQ %
SEA
South Africa 87,16 88,44 93,65 91,54 83,10 81,95 90,47 10,4
Postpaid 159,52 163,86 180,65 163,84 154,70 152,98 178,33 16,6
Prepaid 69,75 70,40 74,04 76,00 68,30 67,15 72,00 7,2
Uganda 7 998,46 7 148,75 7 512,37 7 358,68 8 462,00 7 528,18 7 526,96 0,0
Rwanda 1 538,99 1 562,92 1 565,57 1 444,71 1 487,72 1 486,82 1 544,73 3,9
Zambia 28,61 28,34 32,00 30,17 27,47 26,89 28,09 4,5
South Sudan 26,13 26,33 24,52 27,53 55,11 55,05 70,22 27,6
Botswana (joint venture) 61,04 63,21 68,24 64,00 61,00 63,00 67,00 6,3
Swaziland (joint venture) 94,26 93,73 103,30 101,31 88,00 91,00 105,54 16,0
WECA
Nigeria 1 102,59 1 046,45 994,44 963,42 1 046,15* 1 062,33* 1 047,63* (1,4)
Ghana 12,32 12,53 12,52 11,70 12,17 12,28 12,73 3,7
Cameroon 2 225,90 2 043,26 2 169,43 2 140,00 2 052,45 1 952,75 1 981,00 1,4
Ivory Coast 2 946,57 2 797,32 2 708,13 2 780,00 2 771,75 2 705,14 2 802,82 3,6
Benin 3 512,75 3 438,86 3 594,24 3 523,30 3 616,00 3 506,59 3 458,95 (1,4)
Conakry 19 190,61 17 043,90 14 874,41 16 508,47 14 791,78 16 409,98 18 657,08 13,7
Congo B 5 312,87 5 365,33 5 597,42 5 334,97 4 926,03 5 054,11 4 714,69 (6,7)
Liberia 5,07 4,70 3,96 4,31 3,73 3,51 3,34 (4,8)
Bissau 2 201,47 2 473,65 2 111,39 1 910,73 1 978,20 2 403,63 2 321,77 (3,4)
MENA
Iran (joint venture) 110 351,87 114 958,63 116 024,94 113 683,00 112 513,01 121 147,23 126 364,00 4,3
Syria 706,14 795,23 863,86 770,64 767,08 865,87 1 083,20 25,1
Sudan 14,77 15,46 15,89 15,90 17,23 17,69 19,05 7,7
Yemen 970,24 786,84 920,73 909,66 880,20 904,79 921,50 1,8
Afghanistan 159,27 170,64 180,09 170,51 131,93 126,34 135,98 7,6
Cyprus 17,15 17,57 17,81 17,27 16,93 17,15 17,41 1,5
*Visafone now included.
MTN Group Limited
Quarterly update for the period ended 30 September 2016
ARPU
(US dollar)
Country 1Q15 2Q15 3Q15 4Q15 1Q16 2Q16 3Q16 QoQ %
SEA
South Africa 7,45 7,46 7,22 6,40 5,32 5,51 6,35 15,3
Uganda 2,79 2,34 2,13 2,29 2,49 2,25 2,23 (0,8)
Rwanda 2,27 2,25 2,21 1,95 2,01 1,93 1,95 1,3
Zambia 4,23 3,83 3,65 2,84 2,45 2,63 2,82 7,1
South Sudan 8,26 8,33 7,75 4,71 2,06 1,50 1,24 (17,0)
Botswana (joint venture) 6,27 6,35 6,28 5,60 5,45 5,67 6,33 11,7
Swaziland (joint venture) 8,06 7,81 7,97 7,08 5,60 6,11 7,41 21,2
WECA
Nigeria 5,68 5,25 4,99 4,87 5,25* 4,98* 3,38* (32,1)
Ghana 3,57 3,15 3,29 3,09 3,13 3,19 3,23 1,3
Cameroon 3,83 3,43 3,68 3,60 3,37 3,29 3,36 2,3
Ivory Coast 5,07 4,70 4,59 4,69 4,55 4,63 4,76 2,8
Benin 6,05 5,78 6,09 5,80 5,94 5,95 5,87 (1,3)
Conakry 2,69 2,34 2,01 2,15 1,70 1,83 2,06 12,5
Congo B 9,14 9,02 9,48 9,00 8,22 8,66 8,01 (7,5)
Liberia 5,07 4,70 3,96 4,31 3,73 3,51 3,34 (4,9)
Bissau 3,79 4,16 3,58 3,15 3,24 4,11 3,94 (4,1)
MENA
Iran (joint venture) 4,01 4,03 3,91 3,61 3,73 3,99 4,02 0,9
Syria 3,31 3,04 2,95 3,91 2,09 1,80 2,16 20,0
Sudan 2,47 2,59 2,62 2,61 2,83 2,90 3,12 7,4
Yemen 4,51 3,66 4,06 4,10 4,10 3,71 3,69 (0,5)
Afghanistan 2,76 2,89 2,86 2,59 1,92 1,84 2,01 9,5
Cyprus 19,35 19,37 19,80 18,38 18,51 19,33 19,68 1,8
*Visafone now included.
Date: 24/10/2016 07:05:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE').
The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of
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