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Growing global demand for greater transparency in climate and sustainability reporting is reshaping disclosure expectations across capital markets, pushing companies to strengthen environmental, social, and governance (ESG) accountability.
Positioning itself ahead of evolving regulatory requirements, MTN Nigeria has released its 2025 Sustainability Report in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 and S2, becoming one of the few African-listed companies to voluntarily adopt the framework ahead of mandatory implementation timelines.
The report marks the telecommunications company’s seventh consecutive annual sustainability publication and its third straight year as an early adopter of the IFRS sustainability disclosure standards.
Independently assured by Ernst & Young (EY), the report aligns with several global and domestic sustainability frameworks, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) telecommunications standard, the United Nations Global Compact Principles, the Nigerian Exchange sustainability guidelines, and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Sustainable Finance Principles.
Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Dr Karl Toriola, said strong governance and ethical business conduct remain central to the company’s long-term sustainability agenda.
“Strong governance and ethical conduct are foundational to our sustainability strategy. We reinforced compliance through our Conduct Passport Framework and robust internal controls,” Toriola said.
He also highlighted a key milestone achieved in 2025, noting that MTN Nigeria became the first telecommunications company in the country to publicly present a sustainability report on the Nigerian Exchange Group platform.
“In May 2025, we became the first telecommunications company in Nigeria to publicly present a sustainability report on the Nigerian Exchange Group platform, an important milestone in our commitment to IFRS S1 and S2-aligned disclosure and accountability,” he added.
As part of its climate reporting under IFRS S2, MTN Nigeria disclosed a range of climate-related risks that could impact operations, including flooding, heat stress, evolving environmental regulations, and potential future carbon-related taxes or charges.
The disclosures follow a climate scenario analysis completed in 2024, aimed at assessing the company’s exposure to both physical and transition risks associated with climate change.
The telecom operator also reported Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) ratings of ‘B-’ for climate change and ‘C’ for water security, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental performance and transparency.
In a move designed to improve accessibility and investor engagement, MTN Nigeria adopted an XBRL-based digital reporting format, enabling sustainability and governance data to be analysed more efficiently by investors, regulators, and ESG rating agencies through automated systems.
The company said it also conducted broader impact assessments covering the period from 2021 to 2024 to evaluate how sustainability issues affect both business operations and wider society, while measuring its overall economic, environmental, and social footprint.
Additionally, more than one-third of MTN Nigeria’s highest-spending suppliers have committed to supporting the company’s net-zero emissions ambitions, although the commitments are yet to undergo independent verification or audit.
The latest sustainability report underscores a growing shift among African corporates toward more rigorous ESG reporting standards as investors increasingly demand transparent disclosures on climate risks, governance practices, and long-term resilience.
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