Telecom
GSMA Report Reveals How Cybersecurity and Revenue Growth are Driving Enterprise Digital Transformation

A new report from GSMA Intelligence (GSMAi) shows that enterprises are focusing more on improving cybersecurity and boosting revenue rather than cutting costs, as they speed up their digital transformation.
The research, “The rise of digital industries: navigating enterprise needs, investments and supplier decisions” reveals that 60% of businesses prioritise revenue growth, customer experience, and competitive positioning over cost-related goals for their digital transformation.
Investment in digital technologies is projected to increase substantially over the next six years to meet business needs, with organisations surveyed planning to allocate 9% of enterprise revenue during 2024–2026, growing to 11% during 2027–2030.
Focus on 5G and AI
85% of enterprises see 5G networks and connectivity as important, with almost half marking them as extremely important, for their digital transformation success. Enterprises plan to spend 21% of their digital transformation budgets on connectivity and associated devices, 13% on mobile (including 5G), and 8% on fixed and Wi-Fi networks. Enhanced security (57%) and connectivity (52%) are the top 5G features they value most and investment in 5G between 2024 and 2030 is projected to be 2.5 times more than in 4G, especially in high mobility sectors such as automotive, transportation, logistics and warehousing.
AI is also a significant factor, making up 14% of enterprise technology expenditures, implemented to elevate customer experiences, strengthen security protocols and increase productivity among employees. Generative AI has swiftly gained importance in the digital strategy of companies, with 90% of them incorporating it, but only 33% are utilising it in advanced ways, indicating potential for further development.
IoT adoption is progressing, with businesses transitioning to more advanced use of IoT technology, including greater use of 5G. Moreover, enterprises show high interest in using eSIM for their IoT deployments, due to its scalability and enhanced security features. Enterprises expect eSIM to account for 42% of the total IoT cellular market by 2030.
Enterprise wants full stack suppliers
As enterprises accelerate their digital transformation journeys, they are opting to work with a broad range of suppliers to meet their technology needs. The research shows a preference for generalist suppliers – such as hyperscalers and telecoms network/equipment vendors – that offer nearly full-stack solutions.
Pablo Iacopino, Head of Research at GSMAi, said: “Enterprises of all sizes are eager to advance their digital transformation and are making the necessary investment. As a result, supplier competition is fierce.
“Telcos need to go beyond just providing network services since enterprises are increasingly looking for partners who can help them throughout their full digital transformation journeys, combining technologies such as 5G, AI, IoT and cloud to improve efficiency, security and drive revenues.
“The cost of implementation and complexity of tech integration are the top two deployment challenges faced by enterprises. This means the role of tech orchestrator will become even more important, and demanded in the future, which presents new opportunities for multi-service suppliers.”
Financial services leads in AI; automotive and mobility push 5G
The report highlights the vertical sectors driving digital transformation each with different priorities and technology investments:
- Financial services: 92% are already using generative AI technology, and they lead in both wider AI adoption (92%) and spending on digital transformation (10.4% of revenue).
- Media and entertainment: This sector leads in revenue growth as a top digital transformation objective, with 65% citing it as an extremely important objective. Also, 91% of media and entertainment enterprises are already using generative AI.
- Utilities and energy: 51% of utility and energy enterprises are making advanced use of cloud technology—the highest of all sectors. 37% are prioritising generative AI for their financial spending through 2026 and allocating 16% of their digital transformation budgets to AI in the longer term.
- Manufacturing and industrial: 33% of manufacturing enterprises identify a lack of internal expertise as a key challenge to AI deployment, the highest across all sectors. Manufacturing ranks high in its focus on cybersecurity, with 55% of enterprises making advanced use of these technologies.
- Transportation, logistics and warehousing: This sector shows strong engagement with AI, including working with MNOs for AI solutions in any forms. This sector also stands out for its focus on IoT, with 36% of enterprises making advanced use of IoT technologies.
- Healthcare: Healthcare enterprises allocate 14% of their digital transformation budgets to AI, and 41% of enterprises cite cybersecurity as one of their top five areas of financial spending over the next few years.
- Automotive and mobility: This sector leads in terms of its focus on 5G, with 54% of enterprises rating 5G as extremely important to digital transformation.
- Retail: 63% of retailers prioritise revenue growth as an extremely important digital transformation objective. They are also quickly adopting generative AI, with 87% using the technology and 34% making advanced use of it.
- Public sector: The public sector is investing heavily in digital transformation, allocating 10.1% of its revenues to these initiatives.
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing: This sector shows the lowest digital transformation score overall, leaving potential for improvement in areas such as IoT, AI and 5G.
To explore the full findings and insights from the Global Digital Transformation Survey 2024, full access to the report and dashboard can be found here.
In addition, there is a GSMAi webinar on 3 December (10:30am – 11:30am GMT) where Pablo Iacopino and Christina Patsioura, IoT and Enterprise Research Lead Analyst from GSMAi, will explore the key findings and insights from the survey research, and their implications.
Telecom
Crypto Exchange MEXC Rolls Out P2P Support for Naira, Birr, and Rupee

In a strategic move to deepen its presence in emerging economies, global cryptocurrency exchange MEXC has launched peer-to-peer (P2P) trading support for three new fiat currencies — the Nigerian Naira (NGN), Ethiopian Birr (ETB), and Pakistani Rupee (PKR). This expansion reflects the company’s increasing focus on localising crypto access in high-growth, underbanked regions.
The addition of NGN, ETB, and PKR to MEXC’s P2P platform enables users in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Pakistan to trade major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT), and USD Coin (USDC) directly with their local currencies.
The trades come with zero transaction fees, in line with MEXC’s strategy to lower entry barriers for users and encourage grassroots participation in the digital asset economy.
The update is more than a technical expansion — it underscores MEXC’s recognition of Africa and South Asia as rising crypto frontiers. Nigeria, often cited as one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets, and Ethiopia, where digital finance is beginning to surge amid reforms, represent key territories for crypto adoption. Similarly, Pakistan’s growing youth population and fintech appetite offer strong potential for crypto-enabled financial inclusion.
To support the rollout, MEXC is actively onboarding new merchants to its P2P platform. Merchants benefit from zero transaction fees, dedicated customer support, a special verification badge, and invitations to exclusive community events. The goal is to nurture a local network of verified sellers and buyers who can facilitate seamless and trusted crypto trades.
P2P trading — which allows users to transact directly without third-party intermediaries — is especially relevant in markets where banking infrastructure is either insufficient or heavily regulated. By bypassing traditional systems, P2P provides a lifeline for users seeking stablecoins, alternative stores of value, or more flexible remittance solutions.
This latest expansion signals MEXC’s intent to compete aggressively for market share in underserved territories while enabling more users to access and benefit from Web3 technologies. As global exchanges race to localise their services, MEXC’s early moves into fiat integration may prove pivotal in shaping the next wave of crypto adoption across the Global South.
Telecom
MTN Nigeria Unveils CPaaS Platform to Transform Business Communication

At the recently concluded NextNow Business Forum in Victoria Island, MTN Nigeria electrified the business community with a live demonstration of its forthcoming Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS), a solution engineered to redefine how Nigerian enterprises connect with their customers.
Unlike traditional communication systems, MTN’s CPaaS is built for the realities of a mobile-first market. The platform unifies SMS, voice, WhatsApp, email, and more into a single, intuitive interface. This approach is especially significant in Nigeria, with over 107 million internet users, 45.4% of the total population, according to Data Report. This figure underscores the necessity for businesses to meet customers where they are.
During the demo, attendees witnessed how CPaaS enables two-way, real-time conversations between brands and customers. The platform’s support for rich media, instant analytics, and seamless integration with business workflows drew particular attention. These features are designed to empower businesses with data-driven insights and the agility to personalise every interaction, whether it’s a service notification, marketing campaign, or customer support exchange.
Akinbulejo Onabolu, Head of Enterprise Segment at MTN Nigeria, articulated the vision: “CPaaS gives enterprises the flexibility to interact with their customers on their preferred platforms; whether it’s chat, voice, or messaging, in a way that feels personal and immediate. We’re looking forward to the value this will unlock for businesses across industries once it launches.”
The fireside chat added depth to the conversation, with Omowunmi Olatunbosun, Head of SME Segment at MTN Nigeria, and Stephen Agbi of Bayobab, highlighting how digital engagement bridges the gap between businesses and audiences.
They emphasised that today’s consumers demand immediacy, relevance, and ease, qualities that CPaaS is built to deliver.
The stakes for digital transformation in Nigeria are high. In a report by Punch, the country’s enterprise tech market is projected to reach $22 billion by 2027, reflecting a surge in demand for scalable, cloud-based solutions that drive efficiency and customer loyalty.
The CPAAS Acceleration Alliance have estimated that globally, the CPaaS market is expected to grow from $14.7 billion in 2025 to $72.4 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 18.4%, a testament to the platform’s transformative potential.
The event’s closing keynote from META’s Korhan Yunak reinforced the strategic value of digital channels like WhatsApp, which are now indispensable for business communication and engagement at scale.
As MTN Nigeria prepares for the Q3 2025 launch, the anticipation is unmistakable. With its promise of flexibility, intelligence, and seamless integration, MTN’s CPaaS platform is set to become the backbone of next-generation business-customer engagement in Nigeria, enabling enterprises to not just communicate but to connect, adapt, and grow in a digital-first era.
Telecom
MTN Mulls Establishment of Fintech Firm in Nigeria, Others

MTN Uganda is seeking input from stakeholders on a plan to structurally separate its mobile money service, MoMo, from its core telecoms business.
According to the company, the proposed change will be discussed at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting on July 2.
If approved, the telco’s fintech business will be run by a new company controlled by MTN Group Fintech Holdings B.V. and a trust benefiting minority shareholders following a merger.
Additionally, the restructuring also aligns with MTN Group’s ambition 2025 strategy which aims to unlock value, attract new investors, and strengthen regulatory compliance by creating standalone fintech entities in Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria.
The company’s fintech division has over 13 million customers, with an 18.4% revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025, driven by 19.0% growth in mobile money services, 19.8% growth in transaction volumes, and a 31.4% increase in transaction value.
Reports say the decision is part of the telco’s compliance with the National Payment Systems Act 2020, which mandates mobile money businesses to operate as standalone entities, and to align with MTN Group’s regional fintech strategy.
MTN Uganda, which is led by CEO Sylvia Mulinge, highlighted that the implementation of the proposed transaction will be subjected to a number of conditions and regulatory procedures.
“The implementation of the proposed transaction shall be subject to a number of conditions, including the company and MTN MoMo receiving all required regulatory approvals and no-objections and complying with any regulatory conditions,” said MTN Uganda in notice.
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