MTN posts N575bn pre-tax loss in Q1, cites inflation, naira devaluation

MTN Nigeria Plc has reported a pre-tax loss of N575.69 billion in its operations for the first six months of 2024.

The result is a sharp reversal of the N162.9 billion profit recorded in the same period in 2023, according to the firm’s unaudited financial statement for the first quarter (Q1), 2024.

Filed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Monday, the report said revenue stood at N752.9 billion, marking a 32.5 percent increase from the N568.1 billion recorded in Q1 last year.

MTN attributed the loss to exchange rate depreciation, which led to a significant N656.3 billion in foreign exchange (FX) losses.

However, the report said the telecommunications company experienced growth across all its revenue lines, including voice, data, fintech, and digital revenue.

The record showed that voice and data combined contributed N318.9 billion and N349.5 billion, indicating growth rates of 14.9 percent and 53.4 percent, respectively.

TheCable Index analysis of the report showed that MTN’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) also declined, reaching N296.9 billion.

This represents a drop of 1.9 percent, as EBITDA margins fell to 39.4 percent — compared to 53.3 percent in the same period in 2023.

Commenting on the difficult operating conditions, Karl Toriola, chief executive officer (CEO) of MTN Nigeria, cited the increasing inflation and continuous depreciation of the naira as causes for the losses.

“The operating environment in the first quarter remained very challenging, with rising inflation and continued naira depreciation off an already low base,” he said.

“The naira depreciated to an all-time low of N1,627/US$ at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) in March, from N907/US$ at the end of December 2023, before moderating to N1,309/US$ by the end of the quarter.

“Additionally, the inflation rate maintained an upward trajectory, rising to 33.2% in March, with an average rate of 31.6% in the quarter.

“Continued elevated inflation and unpredictable foreign exchange rates remain significant challenges for businesses.

“However, we remain focused on sustaining our commercial momentum, accelerating our service revenue growth, unlocking operational efficiencies, and strengthening our balance sheet to improve the profitability of our business.

“We do, however, also require regulated tariff increases to restore the profitability of the company.”

MTN also announced plans to accelerate revenue growth, restore margins, and bolster reserves to strengthen its balance sheet position.

This will involve implementing tariff adjustments, enhancing margins, optimising capital expenditure, and reducing foreign exchange exposures.