MTN on Friday threw a big party at Serena hotel to celebrate its 14 years of operations in the country. The guests consisted of MTN staff as well as some of the top names from the public and private sector, including Finance Minister John Rwangombwa.

MTN CEO Khaled Mikkawi retraced MTN's history in the country to highlights the company's impressive achievements, such as reaching one million subscribers in 2008 and 3.2 million today. He also observed that MTN is one of the biggest employers when it comes to low-skill jobs, with 60,000 vendor s who sell airtime and 1000 security guards.

Mikkawi also candidly admitted that, even though MTN is the oldest telecoms company in the country, it still faces challenges. "We have had some complaints but as MTN we are upgrading our services which causes some interruptions," he said, announcing that this will soon be over and the service will significantly improve.

The MTN CEO also used the occasion to hand over to Minister Rwangombwa a check of some Frw 155m, representing MTN's contribution to the Agaciro Development Fund.

Yet it was of course in the first place a party, and apart from ample food and drinks, first-class entertainment was provided by singers Mani Martin and Shanel. In addition, the guests could participate in a raffle draw with prizes ranging from modems to trips to the UK.

MTN CEO Khaled Mikkawi hands over to Minister Rwangombwa a check of some Frw 155m, repre¬senting MTN's contribution to the Agaciro Development Fund. (photos Farouk Kaweesi)