MTN's Ayoba has attained 10 million active users

MTN-backed Africa’s Super App, Ayoba has attained over 10 million monthly active users.

Launched in 2019, Ayoba aims to harness growth in the African digital economy by breaking down barriers such as limited access to the internet and digital services, low smartphone penetration, lack of locally relevant content, and affordability.

Eight months after it was launched, MTN reported that Ayoba reached one million monthly active users. "We celebrate this milestone and are pleased that through Ayoba we can provide access to affordable communications, so that millions of people across our markets can enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life', MTN Group Digital and Fintech Officer, Serigne Dioum said.

Dioum added that "MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy is to drive digital and financial inclusion across Africa, via ayoba we intend to reach 100 million monthly active users by 2025, ensuring more people reap the social, economic, and developmental dividends of being online".

In its two years of existence, Ayoba has grown significantly and continues to be recognized by various bodies. In 2021, Ayoba received the Best OTT Brand of the Year accolade at the Marketing World Awards and recently was awarded the Best Mobile App from Bonteh Digital Awards. Ayoba has also hosted two hackathons this year, with the aim of guiding young developers on micro-app development.

Ayoba's Chief Executive Officer, Burak Akinci said, "our progress in 2021 has been considerable, growing in excess of 4 million users.  This is a clear sign that the African market really enjoys ayoba, and we are here to stay. This growth is also due to the hard work of our team, and of course, the loyalty and enthusiasm of our users, who are always our first priority.

We look forward to even bigger growth in 2022, as we see progress from the new features, content and general improvement that will be launching throughout the year - Burak Akinci

Ayoba offers users access to digital and rich media services through channels, micro-apps, and payment solutions, embedded within a single African Super App. With over 180 content channels ranging from Sports, News, Music & Artists, Health & Wellness, Careers, Fashion & Beauty, Education and Travel – a huge increase from the 128 at the start of the year.

In addition, users now have access to a range of 35 micro-apps, including MTN Online School (SA) and MTN MoMo (Ghana), adding even more content to a deep and hyper localised offering.

We have also identified the gaps in our markets heightened by the pandemic, particularly in terms of the literacy of subscribers and through our education micro-app available in ayoba we have launched numerous channels with key strategic partners focused on specific areas of education ranging from entrepreneurial education to country-specific curriculum content for students, which include educational explainer videos on topics ranging from math, science, and the art of storytelling.

Currently, MTN and non-MTN customers using the app can send and receive encrypted messages in 22 diverse languages, share photos, videos, files, voice notes and even their location, and can also subscribe to live channels. Localized content is available through these channels that aim to entertain, educate, and empower communities.

Image source: Connecting Africa