MTN Uganda Hosts 2024 Supplier Forum: A Showcase of Innovation, Collaboration, and Growth

By Namutebi Sumayiya

MTN Uganda successfully concluded its 2024 Supplier Forum, held yesterday, at the MTN Head Offices in Kampala. The event, themed “Building Tomorrow’s Supply Chain Today,” brought together over 300 MTN Uganda vendors and partners, aiming to unlock innovation and growth potential through technology and partnership synergies.

MTN Uganda’s Supplier Forum is a key event in the company’s calendar, designed to bring together vendors and partners to discuss the future of supply chain management in the industry, every other year. Building on the success of the inaugural forum in 2022, which hosted over 300 vendors, this year’s event focused on creating future-ready supply chains that can adapt to the rapidly evolving technological landscape. MTN Uganda currently has 1,886 suppliers. 63% of them are locally registered companies while 11% are women owned companies.

In her remarks, the MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Sylvia Mulinge, highlighted the transformative power of collaboration in the supply chain.

“At MTN Uganda, we believe that the strength of our supply chain lies in the partnerships we forge. This forum is a testament to our commitment to working hand-in-hand with our suppliers to drive innovation, create value, and build a future where our supply chains are more resilient, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of our customers.” Mulinge said.

Interactive discussions between MTN and its suppliers showcased successful partnerships and the role of technology in building resilient supply chains. These sessions addressed current challenges and opportunities in supply chain management, explored strategies for supply chain optimization, and provided insights into tax regulatory and compliance issues. Additionally, the forum highlighted emerging trends, such as IoT, smart fleet management, cloud services, managed firewalls, and unified communication solutions, and their potential impact on the supply chain.

The forum also provided a platform to discuss how businesses could leverage MTN MoMo products and services to enhance efficiency.

Richard Yego, Chief Executive Officer of MTN MoMo Uganda Limited, emphasized the strategic importance of financial solutions in strengthening partnerships.

“MTN MoMo is at the forefront of providing innovative financial solutions that empower our suppliers to grow and succeed. By partnering with leading financial institutions, we are enabling our suppliers to access the resources they need to expand their operations and continue delivering exceptional value to MTN and its customers. Together, we are creating a more dynamic and efficient supply chain ecosystem.” Said Yego.

MTN Uganda recognized outstanding suppliers with awards in various categories, celebrating their contributions to the company’s success. The Supplier Innovation Award was presented to GD Experts Ltd and Ericsson Uganda. IT ISON Technologies Uganda Limited received the Most Improved Supplier Award for its significant improvement in performance. The Sustainability Award was given to ATC Uganda Limited for its commitment to sustainable practices, while the Service Excellence Award was shared by Soft Homes Landscape Company, Fenon Entertainment, and Huawei for their exceptional service delivery. Saracen Uganda Ltd was recognized with the Longest Serving Vendor Award for its long-standing partnership and continued excellence in service to MTN Uganda.

In a significant development, MTN Uganda partnered with three financial institutions—CITI Bank, dfcu Bank, and HCH Finance to offer quick and affordable financial solutions, such as supplier invoice financing and loans. This initiative is designed to provide the necessary financial resources to support the growth and success of their suppliers, further strengthening their partnerships with MTN Uganda.

MTN Uganda’s Chief Finance Officer, Andrew Bugembe, highlighted the company’s commitment to fostering a collaborative, ethical, and innovative environment. “We are committed to fostering a collaborative, ethical, and innovative environment. Your contributions are invaluable, and we look forward to continuing our journey together, achieving new milestones, and setting benchmarks for excellence. Together, we are unstoppable,” he remarked.

MTN Uganda is a leading telecommunications company dedicated to delivering exceptional services to its customers. Committed to innovation, sustainability, and growth, MTN Uganda continuously strives to enhance its supply chain processes, ensuring the highest standards of compliance and ethical practices.