MTN shuts down Ayoba super app in select markets as it moves to unify its digital services

MTN is shutting down its Ayoba super app, once positioned as Africa’s answer to WhatsApp. This comes as the telecommunications giant works to establish a unified digital platform for its customers.

The shutdown, already underway in select markets including South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Mali, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, and Botswana, is part of a broader review of MTN’s digital services portfolio, according to MyBroadband.

The app is no longer available for download on smartphone app stores in affected countries.

MTN informed MyBroadband that the decision resulted from a routine review of its digital services.

“MTN is building a unified digital platform designed to bring connectivity, content, services, and everyday digital experiences together in one place,” the company said.

The network provider stated that the approach will reduce fragmentation across its digital touchpoints, providing customers with a more seamless and consistent experience.

From 35 million Ayoba users to a total shutdown

Ayoba reached over 35 million users in late 2023, and MTN aimed to expand its user base to 100 million across Africa. By leveraging MTN’s presence and offering free data in select markets, the company intended for Ayoba to rival leading messaging platforms like WhatsApp.

MTN launched Ayoba in 2019, positioning it as Africa’s super app. Inspired by WeChat, it offered a comprehensive platform beyond messaging, encompassing texts, voice notes, media calls, group chats, news, sports, entertainment, and MTN MoMo-enabled mobile money features.

A key feature of the app was free data for MTN customers in select markets. Additionally, its SMS continuity ensured message delivery to non-Ayoba users via SMS.

Adoption was relatively fast following launch, with the active user base reaching one million users in under a year and two million by mid-2020.

Growth accelerated to approximately 20 million active users by the end of 2022, then 25 million in early 2023, and 28 million by mid-2023, before peaking at around 35 million by the end of 2023.

Users in affected markets have been notified directly through in-app messaging and updated terms and conditions. The Ayoba app was removed from app stores on March 20, 2026, according to a user message shared on LinkedIn.

Similar read: 2026 Complete list of voice tariff plans on MTN, Airtel, Globacom and T2mobile

“If you uninstall the app after that date, you won’t be able to download it again,” the message said. “You’ll still have 30 days after 20 February 2026 to download the app if you need to. After those 30 days, downloads will no longer be possible.”

The shutdown is subject to regulatory approvals in the affected markets. MTN said it is conducting a “phased sunset” of Ayoba as it transitions to its unified digital platform strategy.

The decision highlights the struggle for telecommunications companies to rival dominant messaging platforms like WhatsApp in Africa. Even with MTN’s network and free data, Ayoba could not attract enough users to warrant further investment.

MTN has not disclosed what will happen to Ayoba’s features or whether they will be integrated into the new unified platform it is building.

The post MTN shuts down Ayoba super app in select markets as it moves to unify its digital services first appeared on Technext.