African telecom giant MTN Group has taken another step in its strategic withdrawal from the Middle East after reaching an agreement to regularise its exit from Syria.
The development followed a meeting between MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita and Syria’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdulsalam Haykal on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.
Both parties formalised an agreement aimed at facilitating MTN’s orderly exit from the Syrian telecom market, with plans for implementation expected to begin soon.
Strategic Shift Back to Africa
MTN had earlier announced in August 2021 its intention to abandon operations in Syria, citing regulatory pressures and operational demands that made continued business in the country increasingly difficult.
The move forms part of the company’s broader strategy announced in 2020 to withdraw from several Middle Eastern markets and concentrate resources on expanding its core operations across Africa.
Gradual Withdrawal from the Middle East
Since unveiling the strategy, MTN has completed a number of exits from the region. The telecom group finalised its withdrawal from Yemen in 2021 and exited Afghanistan in 2024.
However, the company is still working to divest its 49 percent stake in its Iranian operations in Iran, a process that has been complicated by international sanctions imposed by the United States.
Focus on African Growth
Industry observers say MTN’s exit from Middle Eastern markets is part of a deliberate effort to simplify its portfolio and strengthen its presence across Africa, where the company sees stronger growth opportunities in mobile connectivity, fintech and digital services.
With the Syrian exit now being formalised, MTN moves closer to completing its strategic repositioning as a primarily Africa-focused telecommunications group.
