MTN positions itself to drive digital shift in oil and gas sector

KAMPALA. As Uganda edges closer to its first oil, MTN Uganda has signalled plans to play a central role in digitising the country’s oil and gas sector, positioning technology as critical to the industry’s future.

Speaking at the 11th Annual Oil and Gas Convention in Kampala, MTN executives said the company is shifting from a traditional telecom model to a technology-driven platform capable of supporting complex industrial operations.

Held under the theme “First Oil, Fulfilling the Promise, Forging the Future,” the two-day convention at Speke Resort Munyonyo attracted hundreds of local and international delegates, reflecting growing global interest in Uganda’s petroleum prospects.

Opening the convention, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa called for stronger partnerships and innovation to unlock the sector’s economic potential.

Energy minister Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu said the country is entering a decisive phase.

“With the first oil just months away, decades of preparation are becoming reality. This convention is a platform to forge partnerships, secure contracts and position businesses for the next phase of Uganda’s petroleum journey,” she said.

Industry leaders emphasised that digitisation will be central to competitiveness in the sector.

Humphrey Asiimwe, chief executive of the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, said efficiency and transparency will define success.

“Efficient operations, real-time decision-making, and secure financial flows will determine which players succeed in a fast-evolving energy landscape,” he said.

MTN used the forum to outline its evolving role, presenting itself as both a technology company (TechCo) and a financial technology provider (FinCo), integrating connectivity with digital financial services.

Chief executive Sylvia Mulinge said digitisation will underpin the entire oil value chain—from exploration to distribution.

“Digitisation creates an ecosystem where all operations are interconnected, data-driven, and seamlessly integrated, enabling real-time decision-making and improved efficiency across the value chain,” she said.

The company showcased solutions including private 5G networks, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, and data platforms designed to enable real-time monitoring of oil field operations.

According to MTN, these technologies function as a “digital nervous system” for the sector, linking upstream exploration, midstream logistics, and downstream distribution.

The firm also highlighted the role of financial technology in improving transparency and efficiency, particularly in payments and transactions across the value chain.

Executives said integrating digital payments with operational systems could reduce inefficiencies and strengthen accountability in the sector.

MTN further pointed to applications such as predictive maintenance, artificial intelligence-powered security systems, and high-capacity data storage, which it said would help minimise downtime and protect sensitive operational data.

The company’s approach reflects a broader shift in how Uganda’s oil and gas sector is being developed, with technology increasingly embedded in core operations rather than treated as a support function.

Stakeholders at the convention said the impact of digitisation could extend beyond oil and gas, driving wider economic transformation through improved productivity and financial inclusion.

For Uganda, the transition to oil production marks a critical milestone, but experts say success will depend not only on infrastructure such as pipelines and refineries, but also on digital systems that ensure efficiency and transparency.

As discussions at the convention concluded, a consensus emerged that technology will be a key enabler in delivering the promise of first oil.

With companies like MTN stepping up investments in digital infrastructure, Uganda is positioning itself to integrate innovation into its petroleum sector from the outset.

Analysts say this approach could help the country avoid inefficiencies seen in other resource-rich economies, while maximising value from its oil and gas resources.

As Uganda prepares for production, the focus is increasingly shifting from extraction to execution—with digitisation expected to play a defining role.