New MTN Business programme to strengthen partner ecosystem

Alpheus Mangale, chief enterprise officer for MTN Business in South Africa.

It will offer a range of benefits and support service, including a Partner Advisory Council, partner account managers, an online partner hub for training and marketing collateral, and a keen focus on special partner events including the annual Partner Summit, quarterly Partner Roadshows and the Partner Awards to bring collaborators together to learn and network.

The new programme also offers funding, discounts, incentives, referral fees and IP revenues structured within a tiering model; which gives partners a range of benefits and added credibility in line with their MTN Business Foundation Partner, Premier Partner or Elite Partner status.

“We have undertaken a thorough process of accurately mapping our partnership ecosystem of over 450 solutions providers, carriers, resellers, wholesalers and other ICT-related enterprises. Based on that, we have now devised a world-class, three-tier Partnership Programme to provide our partners with a robust business support structure embedded in a thriving partnership ecosystem,” said Johannes Kanis, MTN Business’ general manager of partnerships.

“MTN is on a transformative journey and sees partnerships as critical to its success. By investing heavily in developing a thriving ICT services ecosystem under the MTN banner, we will be in a strong position to jointly target lucrative opportunities and grow our businesses together.”

Partner recognition

Leading partners were recognised with MTN Business Partner awards at the company’s inaugural Partnership Summit in Johannesburg this week, as part of a stepped up initiative by MTN to become the centre of an advanced business ICT ecosystem incorporating hundreds of vendors and service providers.

The inaugural MTN Business Partner Summit, presented in partnership with Samsung, Huawei, ZTE and Mint Management Technologies, was an example of the new focus on empowering and adding value to partners.

“What is important to note,” said Alpheus Mangale, the chief enterprise officer for MTN Business in South Africa, “Is our commitment and ability to close the gap between big multi-nationals and smaller startups by promoting an open exchange of ideas and opportunities. MTN Business partners just as effectively with industry leaders as we do with the up-and-coming entrepreneurs.”

“By developing a thriving ICT services ecosystem under the MTN banner, we will be in a strong position to jointly target lucrative opportunities and grow our businesses together,” said Mangale.

Award winners

MTN Business recognised its leading partners during the past year with the MTN Business Partner Awards. 2016 winners were:

WASP Partner of the Year – Mira Networks
Mobile Reseller Partner of the Year – Green Connect
ICT Reseller Partner of the Year – Verizon
IoT Partner of the Year – CarTrack
Unified Communications Partner of the Year – Internet Solutions
Managed Infrastructure Partner of the Year – Internet Solutions
Distribution and Alliance Partner of the Year – Samsung
SME Partner of the Year – New Generation Business Solutions
New Age Partner of the Year – MVNE