MTN has officially completed its exit from Afghanistan, transferring its 40% market share to the Beirut-based M1 Group. The company will now operate under the new brand name ATOMA.
The formal handover was marked by a ceremony where Najibullah Haqqani, the Taliban’s Minister of Telecommunications and Technology, announced the acquisition of MTN’s Afghan operations for an undisclosed sum, believed to be a multi-million-dollar deal. This marks the final step in MTN’s exit strategy from the Middle East, which began in 2020 with planned withdrawals from Syria and Yemen. MTN’s decision to exit Afghanistan aligns with its goal to focus on its African markets.
MTN, which launched operations in Afghanistan in 2007, was the country’s largest mobile operator. The company’s exit follows its November 2022 announcement that Lebanon’s M1 New Ventures would acquire its Afghan unit. While early reports suggested the deal was valued at US$35 million, the exact price remains undisclosed.
At the handover ceremony, Haqqani urged ATOMA to prioritize consumer rights, meet its license obligations, and deliver high-quality services. ATOMA’s newly appointed CEO, Hashim Ramazan, committed to modernizing the network infrastructure, enhancing 4G services, and expanding reliable voice and internet connectivity across Afghanistan, especially in rural areas. Despite the rebranding, ATOMA reassured customers that their services would remain uninterrupted, with a strong focus on improving the user experience.
