Strengthening Bilateral Relations in Cotonou
Cotonou, Benin – On Thursday, May 19, 2025, a delegation from MTN Benin, headed by Managing Director Uche Odofile and accompanied by Chary Doumbia, General Manager of Enterprise Business, along with four other officials, made a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou. The purpose of this visit was to enhance bilateral relations between the two nations.
Warm Reception and Fruitful Discussions
The MTN Benin delegation was warmly received by the Charge d’Affaires of the Nigeria Embassy, accompanied by four embassy officials. Discussions during the meeting centered on the challenges faced by the network provider in Benin, and potential avenues for collaboration to enhance services and foster stronger ties.
Recommendations for Collaboration and Expansion
The Charge d’Affaires commended MTN’s services in Benin Republic and proposed several strategic partnerships to further solidify bilateral relations. Key recommendations included:
- Joint Partnerships: Facilitating collaborations between MTN and the Nigerian International School through the embassy.
- Outreach to SMEs: Reaching out to Nigerians involved in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Benin Republic to foster and expand both bilateral relations and the reach of MTN services.
- Financial Application Enhancement: Expanding the MTN financial application to support both local and foreign currency services, specifically catering to the needs of diplomatic institutions.
Feedback on MTN Products and Services
During the meeting, concerns were raised about the performance of specific MTN products. The Charge d’Affaires highlighted the need for stronger batteries and a redesign for the MTN mini routers to improve user experience. Furthermore, it was suggested that MTN leverage Nigeria’s Independence Day on October 1st as a platform to showcase updates and improvements to its products and services.
MTN’s Response and Commitment to Improvement
MTN officials acknowledged the feedback and assured the embassy representatives that some of the identified issues have already been rectified, although the solutions have not yet reached all customers. The company reiterated its commitment to continuous improvement and expressed its willingness to explore the proposed partnerships and initiatives to further strengthen its relationship with the Nigerian community and the wider population in Benin Republic.
The visit concluded with a renewed sense of optimism for strengthened bilateral relations and enhanced collaboration between MTN Benin and the Nigeria Embassy in Cotonou. Both parties expressed their commitment to working together to address the challenges faced by the network and to explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.
