MTN Cameroon is the winner of the 2016WECA VP “Y’ello Care” Trophy

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For the 5th time in 5 years, the Cameroonian affiliate emerges as one of the leading operations of the MTN Group in the domain of CSR. The Company won the overall prize in 2012, 2013 and 2015.

Douala, 18 October 2016. MTN Cameroon, leader of the telecommunications sector announces that it has been declared winner of the Vice President Award for the West and Central Africa (WECA) region during the 10thedition of the charitable programme dubbed “21 Days of Y’ello Care” which ran from 1-21 June 2016. The information was made public yesterday in Johannesburg, South Africa, by the MTN Group Executive Chairman, PhuthumaNhleko, on 17 October, during the Company’s just-ended Global Leadership Gathering in presence of hundreds of MTN’s most senior leaders.

Placed under the theme ‘’Investing in Education for All’’, the 2016 edition required the various footprints of the MTN Group to roll out innovative projects that can guarantee access to education by the greatest majority. 98% of MTN Cameroon staff accompanied by their partners this year executed a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing access to education by vulnerable or underprivileged persons such as:

- Complete construction of a building with 02 multipurpose rooms, refurbishment of 06 classrooms, 01 school library, and 01 dormitory for deaf and hard of hearing children in Douala, Yaounde and Garoua;

- Literacy program for Illiterate Adult women in North and Far North Regions : 350 Adult women registered and trained;

- Microsoft certification training for Secondary schools teachers in the North-West Region: 201 teachers attended the training

- Upgrading of a documentation center into a modern multimedia center in Douala: the center is equipped with 20 computers and high speed internet connection.

Reacting to the #Yello Care Challenge results announcement, MTN Cameroon CEO, PhilisiweSibiya said: “The projects realised have once more enabled to bring smiles to thousands amongst us. And this year, in particular, our engagement, I am sure, contributed significantly to raise national awareness on inclusive Education issues. Congratulations to all who made this possible.”

Each year, MTN Group recognises the operations with the most impactful Y’ello Care projects. As winner of the 2016 WECA VP Award, MTN Cameroon employees will receive a cheque worth US $30,000 to reinvest in corporate social responsibility initiatives across the country. This in addition to the US $300,000 already won by the company during the 2012, 2013, and 2015 editions when it emerged overall winner of the #YelloCare Challenge. The winner of the 2016 Group President and CEO prize of US $100 000 is MTN Ivory Coast.

Chris Maroleng, Executive for Corporate Affairs at MTN Group, congratulated all of the award recipients and every employee who participated in the programme, saying: “Y’ello Care is an opportunity for MTN employees to give back to their local communities. Each year they do so with unwavering passion and commitment. I commend MTN Ivory Coast employees and those from across our operations for their amazing work during the 2016 edition of the programme. These efforts are humbling and inspiring, and will truly make a sustainable difference across our footprint, change lives and positively impact generations for years to come.”

This year, in 21 days, 56 libraries and eight ICT labs were established, 10 classrooms were constructed, and four online learning platforms created, in 22 countries across Africa and the Middle East, by 10,450 volunteers. The fruits of these and numerous other efforts, which were part of MTN’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care programme this year, are set to benefit more than 140,000 people, and make a sustainable impact on education in Africa and the Middle East.

About the 21 Days of Y’ello Care.

21 Days of Y’ello Care is MTN’s annual employee volunteer programme, which takes place across the company’s footprint between 1 and 21 June every year. The 2012, 2013 and 2015 editions were won by MTN Cameroon. The company came second in 2014, and won the WECA VP trophy in 2016.The theme for Y’ello Care is Investing in Education for All. 2016 marked the 10th edition of the programme. For more on Y’ello Care 2016, read about the programme here, or watch a video here. 

About MTN Cameroon.

Incorporated in Cameroon since February 2000, MTN Cameroon is a subsidiary of the MTN Group, a leading emerging markets mobile operator represented in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. A strategic enabler of the growth of Cameroon’s digital economy, MTN provides bespoke communication and payment solutions to millions of people daily on the fastest 4G LTE network.  MTN, through the MTN Foundation, equally works for the welfare of communities principally in the domains of Education, Health and Community Development. MTN is one of the five most significant companies in Cameroon.

For more information, please visit:

-              www.facebook.com/MTNCameroon,  www.twitter.com/MTNCameroon

-              www.youtube.com/MTNCameroon,   www.mtn.cm

Press Contacts:

Edouard TAMBA: Tel.: +237 677 55 07 97.                      E-mail : edouard.tamba@mtn.com

Massey Njiti BONGANG, Tel: +237 677 55 1 115          E-mail: Massey.Njiti-Bongang@mtn.com