MTN Group Collaborates with Agility Arabia to Pioneer Significant Procurement Agility Overhaul
MTN Partners with Agility Arabia to Revolutionize Procurement with Agile Transformation
MTN Group, Africa's largest mobile network operator, has embarked on an innovative journey to transform its procurement function. In partnership with Agility Arabia, the company has adopted a Lean Agile Procurement (LAP) framework, moving away from traditional waterfall processes towards an adaptive, iterative delivery approach.
The transformation, implemented across MTN’s Global Sourcing and Supply Chain (GSSC) division, has been hailed as a template for Agile adoption across other functions. The detailed process involved introducing a LAP framework, deep capability-building through training and coaching, restructuring roles, a phased rollout, and the use of proprietary Agile performance assessments.
Within six months of implementation, the benefits have been significant. Strategic Request for Proposals (RFP) timelines have been reduced by up to 55%, enhancing procurement agility and transparency. The transformation has also improved operational effectiveness in sourcing and supply chain management, better managed growing business complexity, and reduced time to market. Moreover, it has unlocked higher value from procurement operations through continuous iterative delivery and flexibility.
The Agile Net Promoter Score (NPS) doubled within three months, and 84% of GSSC staff were actively participating in Agile projects. The transformation has also earned MTN further recognition, with three additional award nominations. Anonymous surveys showed that 74% felt the transformation helped them do their jobs better.
The transformation faced challenges such as change resistance and cross-timezone collaboration, but Agility Arabia embedded experienced coaches within MTN’s teams to provide continuous, in-person support. The initiative included ongoing training for new joiners, weekly "Breakfast & Learn" sessions, and upskilling of the Scrum Master cohort.
Looking ahead, the next phase will include enterprise-level Agile coaching, deeper integration of Lean Agile Procurement practices, and continuous reinforcement of MTN's "Digital DNA" strategy. The partnership between MTN and Agility Arabia has set a new industry benchmark in telecom procurement, improving speed, transparency, collaboration, and value delivery.
[1] Source: Agility Arabia Press Release [3] Source: MTN Press Release [5] Source: Procurement Leaders
- The mobile industry is witnessing a shift as MTN, Africa's largest mobile network operator, has partnered with Agility Arabia to revolutionize their procurement function, adopting a Lean Agile Procurement (LAP) framework, which has beenImplemented across MTN’s Global Sourcing and Supply Chain (GSSC) division, focusing on finance and business operations, aiming to improve technology efficiency in the industry.
- The technology-driven transformation has led to a reduction in Strategic Request for Proposals (RFP) timelines by up to 55%, enhancing procurement agility and transparency for the mobile industry, as well as boosting operational effectiveness in sourcing and supply chain management, better managing growing business complexity, and reducing time to market.
- The collaboration between MTN and Agility Arabia has set a new standard in the telecom industry, demonstrating the potential of software solutions to drive innovation and efficiency, and has earned further industry recognition with three additional award nominations and increased employee satisfaction, as evidenced by the Agile Net Promoter Score doubling within three months and 84% of GSSC staff actively participating in Agile projects.
