After years of trying to build a homegrown alternative to global messaging platforms, MTN Group has begun a gradual phase-out of Ayoba, its all-in-one chat and content app.
Users across Africa recently received notifications stating that Ayoba is “entering a new chapter,” along with a final 30-day window that began on February 20, 2026, to download the app one last time to retrieve data or messages. After March 20, the app will no longer be available for download on the Google Play and Apple App Stores, and those who uninstall it will be unable to reinstall it.
In a statement to Techpoint Africa, MTN said it has commenced a phased sunset of Ayoba in selected markets, subject to regulatory approvals. Users in affected markets have been notified directly through in-app messages and updated terms and conditions.
“MTN routinely reviews its digital services portfolio to ensure we deliver simplified and integrated experience for our customers,” the official statement from MTN Group reads. “This evolution reflects MTN’s continued focus on strengthening its digital ecosystem and ensuring customers benefit from a more unified and enhanced digital experience.”
The telecom giant is building a unified platform designed to bring connectivity, content, services, and everyday digital experiences together in one place to reducing fragmentation across its offerings.
Launched in 2019, Ayoba was MTN’s attempt to create an African super app, one that could combine messaging, payments, entertainment, and local services into a single platform.
Over time, the app evolved beyond messaging. It offered music streaming, games, news, and even access to local businesses, positioning itself as more than just a chat tool. At its peak, Ayoba claimed tens of millions of users across Africa and supported multiple local languages.
But despite these efforts, it struggled to compete with dominant platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, which already had strong network effects and user loyalty.
The phase-out suggests a shift in priorities for the company. Rather than competing head-on in the crowded messaging space, MTN is refocusing on areas where it already has stronger traction, such as connectivity, fintech, and infrastructure.
Victoria Fakiya – Senior Writer
Techpoint Digest
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