- UJ Book Launch – Ubuntu Chambers University of Johannesburg
- Book Title: Deploying Artificial Intelligence to Achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Author: Professor Arthur Mutambara
- Date: 9 September 2025 – 17:00 to 19:30
- By Ralph Mupita
- MTN Group President and CEO
Good evening, esteemed guests, colleagues, and Professor Arthur Mutambara
It is both an honour and a privilege to join you today for the launch of this timely and thought-provoking book, “Deploying Artificial Intelligence to Achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
This is more than research—it’s a wake-up call. A call to harness the staggering power of AI not just to imagine a better world, but to build it. It’s also an honour for me personally to be invited to make some remarks.
Professor Mutambara is “Mukoma” to me. In Shona, “Mukoma” is big brother, and young man Mutambara was a personal hero and role model for me when I was a young man up in Mutare, Zimbabwe when he was at Hartzell High School.
“Mukoma” – congratulations on publishing this book. Essential reading for all those interested and committed to a better future for Africa.
On behalf of MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecommunications company, I extend our congratulations to Professor Mutambara for this bold and visionary contribution.
At MTN, that mission is deeply personal. Our purpose is clear: to enable the benefits of a modern connected life to everyone. Our strategic intent is equally ambitious: to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress.
These are not just words—they are a call to action. We serve close onto 300m customers across 16 countries.
We are committed to bridging the digital divide, further enabling financial inclusion and advancing the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – and that’s exactly what Professor Mutambara’s book is about – our collective pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The SDGs are not abstract ideals. They are a blueprint for dignity, equity, and sustainability. We at MTN are developing AI for Africa by Africans, unlocking sustainable value for all, providing Dignity, Hope & Opportunity for all Africans.
For the mobile telecommunications industry, and for MTN in particular, they are deeply intertwined with our mission.
Connectivity is not just about voice or data—Artificial Intelligence holds immense promise for inclusive growth across the continent—enabling smarter farming through e-agriculture, expanding access to quality learning via e-education, improving healthcare delivery through e-health and telemedicine, and enhancing transparency and service efficiency in e-government, financial access for the unbanked, and opportunities that lift entire communities – each of which is vital to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring no African is left behind.
Artificial Intelligence, as Professor Mutambara so powerfully argues, is the next great enabler. It’s a foundational technology as important as fire, the wheel, the steam engine and the computer.
At MTN, we are already seeing the transformative potential of AI in action.
We use AI to optimise our networks, predict maintenance and explore AI-driven experiences to enhance digital identity, combat fraud, and support small businesses with smart insights.
Every one of these innovations pushes us closer to the SDGs—reducing inequality, driving growth, and improving lives.
According to PwC’s Global Artificial Intelligence Study, AI can transform global productivity and economic activity and is predicted to add US$15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
Assuming Africa captures 10% of the global AI market, a recent SAP report projects that AI could add US$1.5 trillion to the continent’s jobs will be created by AI in Africa by 2030. Statista projects that the AI market in Africa jobs will reach US$4.51 billion in 2025 and grow to US$18.7 billion by 2030.
However, bridging Africa’s digital divide will require an estimated US$100 billion+ in ICT infrastructure investment this decade (as per World Bank and others).
This includes expanding broadband networks (to underserved areas and upgrading power grids to support them. Investment must also be made in human capital; building a digitally skilled workforce and citizenry.
This starts from basic digital literacy (ensuring everyone can use devices and navigate online) up to advanced tech skills.
But we cannot ignore the challenges. The risks of digital colonialism, clear-eyed about the challenges. Real risks Africa cannot imperialism, data colonialism, and the AI revolution exclude—Africans cannot be a 2nd class citizen— Africa cannot be left behind.
We must be co-creators—shaping AI that is fit-for-purpose, inclusive, and grounded in our languages, cultures, and realities.
As an example, Africa is home to over 2,000 distinct languages, yet fewer than 2% are currently supported by mainstream large language models.
There currently is 2650 times more internet content in English than African languages.
This exclusion risks deepening the digital divide, fail to understand or serve the linguistic realities of most Africans. Without urgent investment in African language data sets, content risks being sidelined in the AI revolution.
This is why Professor Mutambara’s book is so important.
It does not shy away from the dangers of AI—but it refuses to be paralysed by them. Instead, it offers a strategic framework for action: one that is bold, decolonial, and unapologetically African. It reminds us that the future of AI must be democratic, not deterministic.
AI is not just about algorithms—it’s about humanity. It demands bold vision, relentless focus, and global cooperation. Done right, it will be one of the greatest tools we have to achieve equity, prosperity, and sustainable progress.
At MTN, we echo this call. We believe that AI must be harnessed to serve humanity—not the other way around. We believe that Africa must lead—not lag—in the global digital transformation.
And we believe that partnerships—across sectors, borders, and disciplines—are essential to achieving the SDGs.
So let us be relentless. Let us be visionary. And let us, together, deploy AI not just to imagine a better world—but to build it.
On behalf of MTN, I congratulate Professor Mbumbara for this visionary work. It is not just a book—it’s a rallying cry. And we are ready to answer it.
Thank you.
Ralph Mupita
9 September 2025
