Syria moves to replace MTN with new telco

Syria has officially launched an international tender to replace MTN as the country’s mobile network operator, clearing a path for the South African telecom giant’s long‑delayed exit. Announced by the Ministry of Communications at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the bidding process runs until June 15, 2026, and the winning bidder will receive a 20‑year licence to operate in Syria. MTN, which owned roughly 75% of the local unit before abandoning operations in 2021, will see its operational base transferred to a new investor while Syria’s sovereign fund is expected to retain a minority stake. Analysts quoted by Techpoint say rebuilding and upgrading the inherited infrastructure could require more than $1 billion in fresh investment.

"MTN Telecom companies don’t usually leave a market without someone ready to take their place," wrote Victoria Fakiya in Techpoint Digest, underscoring the government’s move to ensure continuity as the operator withdraws.

Details and context

The tender marks the formal end of a protracted chapter for MTN Group in Syria. MTN abandoned its Syrian operations in 2021 following regulatory clashes with the government, and the new licence aims to bring both investment and operational stability to a telecom sector damaged by years of conflict and sanctions. The successful bidder will inherit existing infrastructure and face the dual task of modernising networks and expanding coverage — a programme industry analysts estimate could exceed $1 billion.

Key facts from the tender and MTN exit:

• Tender announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
• Bidding deadline: June 15, 2026.
• Licence term: 20 years.
• MTN previously owned ~75% of the Syrian unit and left in 2021.
• Sovereign fund expected to retain a minority stake; analysts estimate >$1 billion needed for upgrades.

Elsewhere in the region’s tech scene, Techpoint highlighted quieter but notable developments. Nigerian‑British entrepreneur Tolu Fagbola’s LearnFlo has quietly grown to serve more than 30,000 users and has processed over ₦5 billion in training fees — all without external funding. Fagbola, who started experimenting with learning management systems in 2008 and pivoted through early failures, is now directing attention to healthtech. He and collaborators, including his brother and a US‑based healthcare founder, are building Vimedra — a platform that combines voice AI and predictive tools to help underserved communities prevent medical emergencies.

At the same time, Canal+ has signalled a significant retreat in African streaming: the French media group plans to shut down Showmax, the African service it has operated with MultiChoice. An email to subscribers confirmed the forthcoming discontinuation, though no shutdown date was given. Showmax, launched in 2015 and available in more than 40 African markets, once attracted over 2 million subscribers. MultiChoice disclosed heavy losses for the service, including a reported loss of about $140 million in 2024, driven by high production and expansion costs against low subscription revenues.

Outlook

The Syrian tender sets a clear timeline for investors considering one of the region’s most challenging telecom turnarounds; the 20‑year licence and a clear June 15, 2026 deadline invite strategic bidders but also impose expectations of rapid capital deployment. For LearnFlo and Vimedra, the transition from edtech to healthtech illustrates how founders are leveraging AI and local know‑how to tackle pressing public needs. And for Showmax users and content producers, Canal+’s exit raises questions about where African streaming content will migrate next as global and regional players reassess sustainable business models in the market.