South African carrier MTN Group has partnered with the ORAN Development Company (ODC), as part of plans to push Open RAN across Africa.

The partnership will see Northern Virginia-based ODC work with MTN to develop and test Open RAN solutions across Africa.

Johannesburg-based MTN said the partnership showcases its commitment to "provide affordable, high-quality telecommunications throughout the continent, with advanced Open RAN architectures enabling greater network flexibility."

Open RAN promotes a new breed of telecoms kit that allows providers to ‘mix and match’ solutions from multiple vendors, which is impossible with proprietary network equipment.

A Counterpoint Research study last year, revealed that mobile carriers are expected to invest more than $30 billion in Open RAN by the end of the decade.

ODC and MTN said they will launch a joint lab and other initiatives to test 'true' Open RAN solutions, enhancing network agility, scalability, and efficiency. This will see the companies carry out lab and field trials.

MTN will also support ODC to optimize Open RAN software and platform development with AI, in an effort to streamline operational expenditure (OPEX) across the network. Both companies will also focus on the development of 6G and non-terrestrial communications.

“Open RAN represents a transformative approach to how we design and operate our infrastructure—enhancing flexibility, driving cost efficiencies, and paving the way for next-generation technologies,” said Amith Maharaj, MTN Group network design and planning executive.

“At MTN, we are continuously seeking innovative solutions to address Africa’s unique connectivity challenges while building resilient and future-ready networks. Through our collaboration with ODC, we are unlocking new possibilities to expand our reach, improve service quality, and empower the communities and businesses we serve.”

MTN operates in 16 African markets, serving more than 280 million customers.