Notes to the summary Group financial statementsfor the year ended 31 December 2022

1. INDEPENDENT AUDIT

The summary Group financial statements have been derived from the audited Group financial statements. The directors of the Company take full responsibility for the preparation of the summary Group financial statements and that the financial information has been correctly derived and are consistent in all material respects with the underlying audited Group financial statements. The summary Group financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 have been audited by our joint auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. and Ernst & Young Inc., who have expressed an unmodified opinion thereon. The auditors also expressed an unmodified opinion on the Group financial statements from which the summary Group financial statements were derived. A copy of the auditors’ report on the Group financial statements is available for inspection at the Company’s registered office or can be downloaded from the Company’s website www.mtn.com/investors/financial-reporting/annual-results, together with the financial statements identified in the auditors’ report.

2. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Group is a leading pan-African mobile operator that provides a diverse range of voice, data, digital, fintech, wholesale and enterprise services.

3. BASIS OF PREPARATION

The summary Group financial statements are prepared in accordance with the requirements of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements for provisional financial statements and the requirements of the Companies Act, 71 of 2008 as amended applicable to summary financial statements. The summary financial statements were prepared in accordance with the framework concepts and the measurement and recognition requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Financial Reporting Guides as issued by the Accounting Practices Committee (APC) and the Financial Pronouncements as issued by the Financial Reporting Standard Council (FRSC), and to also, as a minimum, contain the information required by IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting.

The summary Group financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Group financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS. A copy of the full set of the audited Group financial statements is available for inspection from the Company Secretary at the registered office of the Company or can be downloaded from the Company’s website: www.mtn. com/investors/financial-reporting/annual-results.

4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting policies applied in the preparation of the Group financial statements from which the summary Group financial statements are derived, are in terms of IFRS and are consistent with those accounting policies applied in the preparation of the previous consolidated Annual Financial Statements except as described below.

A number of amendments to accounting pronouncements are effective from 1 January 2022, but they do not have a material effect on the Group’s summary financial statements.

5. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES

5.1 Deferred tax
 

Source of estimation uncertainty

Deferred tax assets are recognised for unused tax losses, unused tax credits and deductible temporary differences (as applicable) to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the deferred tax assets can be used. The Group is required to make significant estimates in assessing whether future taxable profits will be available.

Future taxable profits are determined based on business plans for individual subsidiaries in the Group and the probable reversal of taxable temporary differences in future. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised. Such reductions are reversed when the probability of future taxable profits improves. The Group’s recognised deferred tax assets for the current year amounted to R6 571 million (2021 : R7 223 million). The Group has deductible temporary differences and unused assessed losses of R16 138 million (2021: R9 219 million) for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised as at 31 December 2022, as well as an unrecognised deferred tax asset of R728 million (2021: R585 million) relating to foreign tax credits.

MTN Mauritius recognised a deferred tax asset of R4 386 million (2021: R5 750 million) mainly resulting from an assessed loss. The Group discontinued the recognition of any further increases in the deferred tax asset in 2022 and recognised a reduction of the deferred tax asset due to the change in the SA corporate tax rate. The Group derecognised R1 171 million of the previously recognised deferred tax asset as a result of incorporating additional risk factors to the estimated utilisation of the deferred tax asset over the expected recovery period.

The Group considered the following factors in assessing whether it is probable that MTN Mauritius will have future taxable profits available against which the deferred tax asset can be used:

  • It is unlikely that the circumstances that resulted in MTN Mauritius incurring assessed losses will continue in the medium term.
  • Interest expense and foreign exchange exposures will continue to reduce as MTN Mauritius repays its US$ denominated intercompany debt. The repayments are currently scheduled to occur in 2024 and 2026.
  • Technical service fees from subsidiaries are expected to increase as contracts for central services with group companies are formalised.

Based on current business plans and stress scenarios, the Group expects to utilise the deferred tax asset in the next ten to 13 years.

6. HYPERINFLATION

The financial statements (including comparative amounts) of the Group entities whose functional currencies are the currencies of hyperinflationary economies are adjusted in terms of the measuring unit current at the end of the reporting period. The impacts of hyperinflation disclosed for Irancell have been proportioned for the Group’s shareholding.

The impact of hyperinflation on the segment analysis is as follows:

2022 
Revenue 
Rm
 
Capital 
expenditure 
Rm
 
Sudan  2 659  873 
South Sudan (included in other SEA) (175) (16)
2 484  857 
Major joint venture – Irancell  1 346  551 
  
2021 
Revenue 
Rm 
Capital 
expenditure 
Rm 
Sudan  542  266 
South Sudan (included in other SEA) (555) (99)
13  167 
Major joint venture – Irancell  1 099  352 

7. SEGMENT ANALYSIS

The Group has identified reportable segments that are used by the Group Executive Committee (the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM)) to make key operating decisions, allocate resources and assess performance. The reportable segments are largely grouped according to their geographic locations and reporting lines to the CODM.

The Group's underlying operations are clustered as follows:

  • South Africa.
  • Nigeria.
  • South and East Africa (SEA).
  • West and Central Africa (WECA).
  • Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

South Africa and Nigeria comprise the segment information for the South African and Nigerian cellular network services providers respectively.

The SEA, WECA, and MENA clusters comprise segment information for operations in those regions which are also network services providers in the Group.

Operating results are reported and reviewed regularly by the CODM and include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that are attributed on a reasonable basis, whether from external transactions or from transactions with other Group segments.

A key performance measure of reporting profit for the Group is CODM EBITDA. CODM EBITDA is defined as earnings before finance income and finance costs (which includes gains or losses on foreign exchange transactions, tax, depreciation, and amortisation, and is also presented before recognising the following items:

  • Impairment of goodwill and investment in joint ventures (note 8).
  • Net monetary gain resulting from the application of hyperinflation.
  • Share of results of associates and joint ventures after tax (note 10).
  • Hyperinflation (note 6).
  • Gain on disposal of investment in associate (note 18.1).
  • Impairment loss on remeasurement of non-current asset held for sale.
  • Fair value gain on acquisition of subsidiary.
  • Loss on deconsolidation of subsidiary.
  • Gain on disposal of investment in associates.
  • Gain on exit in Yemen.
  • Gain on disposal of subsidiary.
  • Gain on sale of MTN SA towers.
  • Impairment loss on Yemen property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.

These exclusions have remained unchanged from the prior year except for the gain on sale of MTN SA towers. Impairment losses on property, plant and equipment and intangible assets are generally included in the CODM EBITDA as they are operational in nature. As the impairment of Yemen's property, plant and equipment and intangible assets arose from MENA exit strategy, it was not considered reflective of Yemen's performance for the period.

Irancell Telecommunications Company Services (PJSC) (Irancell) proportionate results are included in the segment analysis as reviewed by the CODM and excluded from reported results for revenue, CODM EBITDA and capital expenditure due to equity accounting for joint ventures. The results of Irancell in the segment analysis exclude the impact of hyperinflation accounting.

REVENUE  Network 
services 
Rm 
Mobile 
devices 
Rm 
Interconnect 
and 
roaming 
Rm 
Digital 
and 
fintech 
Rm 
Other 
Rm 
Revenue 
from 
contracts 
with 
customers 
Rm 
Interest 
revenue 
Rm 
Total 
revenue 
Rm 
2022 
South Africa  32 018  9 792  4 359  2 417  1 573  50 159  481  50 640 
Nigeria  65 721  237  6 518  4 087  697  77 260  –  77 260 
SEA  12 732  240  872  5 019  479  19 342  –  19 342 
Uganda  6 518  90  400  2 932  186  10 126  –  10 126 
Zambia  2 096  104  184  869  63  3 316  –  3 316 
Other SEA  4 118  46  288  1 218  230  5 900  –  5 900 
WECA  35 510  204  2 294  8 920  1 351  48 279  –  48 279 
Ghana  12 920  62  590  4 170  289  18 031  –  18 031 
Côte d'lvoire  6 446  46  663  1 116  647  8 918  –  8 918 
Cameroon  5 829  28  354  1 422  94  7 727  –  7 727 
Other WECA  10 315  68  687  2 212  321  13 603  –  13 603 
MENA  5 005  27  1 007  146  27  6 212  –  6 212 
Sudan  3 276  19  642  78  17  4 032  –  4 032 
Afghanistan  1 729  365  68  10  2 180  –  2 180 
Major joint venture – Irancell1  7 093  183  362  702  206  8 546  18  8 564 
Head office companies2  1 856  –  6 180  –  15 100  23 136  255  23 391 
Eliminations  (957) (3) (5 571) (22) (13 810) (20 363) (242) (20 605)
Hyperinflation impact  1 988  13  419  49  15  2 484  –  2 484 
Irancell revenue exclusion  (7 093) (183) (362) (702) (206) (8 546) (18) (8 564)
Consolidated revenue  153 873  10 510  16 078  20 616  5 432  206 509  494  207 003 
1 Irancell proportionate results are included in the segment analysis as reviewed by the CODM. This is, however, excluded from IFRS reported results due to equity accounting for joint ventures.
2 Head office companies consist mainly of revenue from GlobalConnect Solutions Limited (GlobalConnect), the Group's central financing activities and management fees from segments.
REVENUE  Network 
services 
Rm 
Mobile 
devices 
Rm 
Interconnect 
and 
roaming 
Rm 
Digital 
and 
fintech 
Rm 
Other 
Rm 
Revenue 
from 
contracts 
with 
customers 
Rm 
Interest 
revenue 
Rm 
Total 
revenue 
Rm 
2021 
South Africa  31 030  9 271  4 070  2 429  1 521  48 321  395  48 716 
Nigeria  50 241  107  5 594  3 216  892  60 050  –  60 050 
SEA  11 830  211  759  3 598  557  16 955  –  16 955 
Uganda  5 728  84  378  2 199  160  8 549  –  8 549 
Zambia  1 606  77  108  596  42  2 429  –  2 429 
Other SEA  4 496  50  273  803  355  5 977  –  5 977 
WECA  34 371  223  2 499  9 750  1 162  48 005  –  48 005 
Ghana  13 046  56  642  5 151  292  19 187  –  19 187 
Côte d'lvoire  6 022  47  879  1 456  499  8 903  –  8 903 
Cameroon  5 475  38  385  1 262  84  7 244  –  7 244 
Other WECA  9 828  82  593  1 881  287  12 671  –  12 671 
MENA  5 209  13  1 055  200  73  6 550  –  6 550 
Sudan  1 619  548  43  10  2 226  –  2 226 
Afghanistan  1 670  341  57  17  2 092  –  2 092 
Other MENA1  1 920  –  166  100  46  2 232  –  2 232 
Major joint venture – Irancell2  5 831  128  289  324  138  6 710  15  6 725 
Head office companies3  1 515  –  5 076  188  12 183  18 962  134  19 096 
Eliminations  (438) (1) (5 303) (206) (11 635) (17 583) (130) (17 713)
Hyperinflation impact  (229) 226  (5) (6) (13) –  (13)
Irancell revenue exclusion  (5 831) (128) (289) (324) (138) (6 710) (15) (6 725)
Consolidated revenue  133 529  9 825  13 976  19 170  4 747  181 247  399  181 646 
1 Syria and Yemen segment analysis has been included until the Group lost control of MTN Syria on 25 February 2021 and the Group exited Yemen on 17 November 2021.
2 Irancell proportionate results are included in the segment analysis as reviewed by the CODM. This is, however, excluded from IFRS reported results due to equity accounting for joint ventures.
3 Head office companies consist mainly of revenue from GlobalConnect, the Group's central financing activities and management fees received from segments.
2022    2021 
External versus inter-segment revenue  External 
revenue 
Rm
 
Inter- 
segment 
revenue 
Rm
 
Total 
revenue 
Rm
 
External 
revenue 
Rm 
Inter- 
segment 
revenue 
Rm 
Total 
revenue 
Rm 
South Africa  50 153  487  50 640  48 223  493  48 716 
Nigeria  76 015  1 245  77 260  58 835  1 215  60 050 
SEA  18 892  450  19 342  16 498  457  16 955 
Uganda  9 790  336  10 126  8 223  326  8 549 
Zambia  3 269  47  3 316  2 366  63  2 429 
Other SEA  5 833  67  5 900  5 909  68  5 977 
WECA  47 047  1 232  48 279  46 717  1 288  48 005 
Ghana  17 401  630  18 031  18 659  528  19 187 
Côte d'lvoire  8 759  159  8 918  8 735  168  8 903 
Cameroon  7 540  187  7 727  7 028  216  7 244 
Other WECA  13 347  256  13 603  12 295  376  12 671 
MENA  5 381  831  6 212  5 908  642  6 550 
Sudan  3 472  560  4 032  1 748  478  2 226 
Afghanistan  1 909  271  2 180  1 928  164  2 092 
Other MENA1  –  –  –  2 232  –  2 232 
Major joint venture – Irancell2  8 564  –  8 564  6 725  –  6 725 
Head office companies3  7 013  16 378  23 391  5 452  13 644  19 096 
Eliminations  –  (20 605) (20 605) –  (17 713) (17 713)
Hyperinflation impact  2 502  (18) 2 484  13  (26) (13)
Irancell revenue exclusion  (8 564) –  (8 564) (6 725) –  (6 725)
Consolidated revenue  207 003  –  207 003  181 646  –  181 646 
1 Syria and Yemen segment analysis has been included until the Group lost control of MTN Syria on 25 February 2021 and Group exited Yemen on 17 November 2021.
2 Irancell proportionate results are included in the segment analysis as reviewed by the CODM. This is, however, excluded from IFRS reported results due to equity accounting for joint ventures.
3 Head office companies consist mainly of revenue from GlobalConnect, the Group's central financing activities and management fees received from segments.
CODM EBITDA     2022 
Rm 
2021 
Rm 
South Africa     19 480  18 956 
Nigeria     41 087  31 852 
SEA     8 877  7 847 
Uganda     5 233  4 387 
Zambia     847  556 
Other SEA     2 797  2 904 
WECA     19 109  19 369 
Ghana     10 210  10 557 
Côte d'lvoire     2 950  3 096 
Cameroon     2 752  2 507 
Other WECA     3 197  3 209 
MENA     2 716  2 082 
Sudan     2 128  1 085 
Afghanistan     588  615 
Other MENA1     –  382 
Head office companies3     2 571  (1 007)
Eliminations      (3 961) 652 
CODM EBITDA     89 879  79 751 
Major joint venture – Irancell2     3 555  2 446 
Hyperinflation      851  (2)
Gain on disposal of investment in associates     –  1 212 
Loss on deconsolidation of subsidiary     –  (4 720)
Gain on exit in Yemen     –  15 
Gain on disposal of subsidiary     –  38 
Fair value gain on acquisition of subsidiary     –  526 
Gain on sale of MTN SA towers     371  – 
Impairment loss on remeasurement of non–current assets held for sale     (1 263) (53)
impairment loss on Yemen PPE and intangible assets     –  (609)
Irancell CODM EBITDA exclusion     (3 555) (2 446)
CODM EBITDA before impairment of goodwill     89 838  76 158 
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment of goodwill and investment in joint venture     (35 275) (35 223)
Net finance cost     (17 686) (14 448)
Net monetary gain     1 251  275 
Share of results of associates and joint ventures after tax     3 369  2 054 
Profit before tax     41 497  28 816 
1 Syria and Yemen segment analysis has been included until the Group lost control of MTN Syria on 25 February 2021 and Group exited Yemen 17 November 2021.
2 Irancell proportionate results are included in the segment analysis as reviewed by the CODM. This is, however, excluded from IFRS reported results due to equity accounting for joint ventures.
3 Includes R3.8 billion gain on the MTN Nigeria secondary offer and R1.4 billion gain on the MTN Ghana share localisation.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE INCURRED  2022  2021 
Rm 
South Africa  15 294  10 409 
Nigeria  19 088  14 905 
SEA  6 483  3 608 
Uganda  4 261  1 743 
Zambia  636  507 
Other SEA  1 586  1 358 
WECA  8 588  7 477 
Ghana  3 515  3 651 
Côte d'Ivoire  1 844  1 290 
Cameroon  1 075  967 
Other WECA  2 154  1 569 
MENA  1 647  1 015 
Sudan  1 264  504 
Afghanistan  383  378 
Other MENA1  –  133 
Major joint venture – Irancell2  3 283  2 237 
Head office companies  2 243  1 804 
Eliminations  (99) – 
Hyperinflation impact  857  167 
Irancell capital expenditure exclusion  (3 283) (2 237)
54 101  39 385 
1 Syria and Yemen capital expenditure has been included until the Group lost control of MTN Syria on 25 February 2021 and Group exited of Yemen 17 November 2021.
2 Irancell proportionate results are included in the segment analysis as reviewed by the CODM. This is, however, excluded from IFRS reported results due to equity accounting for joint ventures.

8. IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL AND INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURE

Impairments of goodwill relating to subsidiaries and the impairment of the joint venture are disclosed below:

2022 
Rm 
2021 
Rm 
MTN Yemen  –  (550)
MTN Guinea-Bissau  (251) – 
Other  (32) (33)
(283) (583)
Impairment of Joint venture – Mowali  (149) – 
Impairment of Joint venture – MEIH  (193) – 
(342) – 

9. NET FINANCE COSTS

2022 
Rm 
2021 
Rm 
Interest income on loans and receivables  638  396 
Interest income on bank deposits  1 404  802 
Finance income  2 042  1 198 
Interest expense on financial liabilities measured at amortised cost  (7 888) (7 010)
Net foreign exchange losses  (5 048) (2 551)
Unwind of revision of cash flows1  –  43 
Lease liability interest expense  (6 792) (6 128)
Finance costs  (19 728) (15 646)
Net finance costs recognised in profit or loss  (17 686) (14 448)
1 Refer to note 10 for details on the balance with Irancell.

10. SHARE OF RESULTS OF ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES AFTER TAX

2022
Rm
2021
Rm
3 369 2 054
Irancell 3 101 1 709
Others 268 345

Irancell loan and receivable

On 20 September 2019, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) as being subject to sanctions. Sanctions imposed on the CBI creates a secondary sanctions risk for MTN entities if the CBI allocates foreign currency to an MTN entity for the purpose of repatriating the receivable and/or loan. As at 31 December 2022, Iranian rial denominated receivables amounted to R2 194 million1 (2021: R1 531 million) and the Iranian rial denominated loan amounted to R2 013 million2 (2021: R1 882 million).

The Group has intercompany receivables of R5 828 million (including the Iranian rial denominated receivable and loan detailed above) owing from Irancell as at
31 December 2022. Considering the continued uncertainty of when the sanctions will be lifted, the Group has reassessed and determined that the settlement of R5 009 million of the outstanding receivables is neither planned nor likely to occur in the foreseeable future. Therefore, the balances have been reclassified from current to non-current in the summary consolidated statement of financial position and presented as part of investment in associates and joint ventures. The Group intends to repatriate the remaining intercompany receivables (including R770 million Iranian rial denominated receivable) when circumstances permit.

1 Receivables denominated in Iranian rial to the value of R2 158 million (2021: R1 525 million) were translated at the SANA rate, while the remaining Iranian rial amounts outstanding at year end were translated at the CBI rate.
2 The amount outstanding was translated at the CBI rate.

11. EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE

Number of ordinary shares 2022 2021
Number of ordinary shares in issue
At end of the year (excluding MTN Zakhele Futhi and treasury shares) 1 806 114 844 1 803 226 302
Weighted average number of shares 1 805 193 078 1 801 959 524
Add: Dilutive shares
– Share options – MTN Zakhele Futhi 29 041 554 24 698 778
– Share schemes 17 851 150 22 509 453
Shares for dilutive earnings per share 1 852 085 782 1 849 167 755

Treasury shares

Treasury shares of 1 319 536 (2021: 4 208 078) are held by the Group and 76 835 378 (2021: 76 835 378) are held by MTN Zakhele Futhi (RF) Limited (MTN Zakhele Futhi).

Headline earnings

Headline earnings/(loss) is calculated in accordance with the circular titled Headline Earnings as issued by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants as amended from time to time and as required by the JSE Limited.

2022 
Rm 
2021 
Rm 
Reconciliation between net profit attributable to the equity holders of the Company and headline earnings: 
Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company  19 337  13 750 
Net profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets  (190) (99)
– Subsidiaries (IAS 16) (185) (79)
– Joint ventures (IAS 28) (5) (20)
Impairment of goodwill and investments in joint ventures (IAS 36) 625  583 
Net impairment loss on property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets and intangible assets (IAS 36) 184  545 
Impairment loss on remeasurement of non-current asset held for sale (IFRS 5) 1 263  53 
Gain on disposal of investment in associate (IAS 28) –  (1 212)
Gain on sale of MTN South Africa towers (IFRS 5) (371) – 
Gain on exit in Yemen (IFRS 10) –  (15)
Gain on disposal of a subsidiary (IFRS 10) –  (38)
Fair value gain on acquisition of a subsidiary (IFRS 10) –  (526)
Loss on derecognition of a subsidiary (IFRS 10) –  4 720 
Total non–controlling interest and tax effect of adjustments  (16) (20)
Headline earnings  20 832  17 781 
Earnings per share (cents)
– Basic  1 071  763 
– Basic headline  1 154  987 
Diluted earnings per share (cents)
– Diluted  1 044  744 
– Diluted headline  1 125  962 

12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

12.1 Financial assets and financial liabilities at amortised cost
 

The carrying value of current receivables and liabilities measured at amortised cost approximates their fair value.

Listed long-term borrowings

The Group has listed long-term fixed interest rate senior unsecured notes in issue which were issued in prior years, with a carrying amount of R7 703 million at
31 December 2022 (2021: R12 050 million) and a fair value of R7 480 million (2021: R12 494 million). The notes are listed on the Irish bond market and the fair values of these instruments are determined by reference to quoted prices in this market. The market for these bonds is not considered to be liquid and consequently the fair value measurement is categorised within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

12.2 Financial instruments measured at fair value
 

IHS Group listed equity investment

The fair values of financial instruments measured at fair value are determined as follows:

Included in investments in the statement of financial position is an equity investment in IHS Group at fair value of R8 930 million (2021: R19 144 million). The fair value of the investment is determined by reference to published price quotations on the New York Stock Exchange. The share price of IHS Group was US$6.15 (2021: US$14.10) on the last trading day of the year. The fair value of this investment is categorised within level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

A fair value decrease of R10 908 million (2021: R10 336 million) has been recognised. On 9 March 2023, the IHS Group share price was US$7.4, equating to a reduction in the fair value of R2 771 million subsequent to 31 December 2022.

12.3 Financial instruments measured at fair value
 

Reconciliation of level 3 financial assets

The table below sets out the reconciliation of financial assets that are measured at fair value based on inputs that are not based on observable market data (level 3):

Insurance cell captives  Rm 
Balance at 1 January 2021  1 138 
Contributions paid to insurance cell captives  583 
Claims received by insurance cell captives  ( 910)
Gain recognised in profit or loss  483 
Balance at 1 January 2022  1 294 
Contributions paid to insurance cell captives  330 
Claims received by insurance cell captives  (253)
Additional investment  334 
Loss recognised in profit or loss  ( 311)
Balance at 31 December 2022  1 394 
Investments  Rm 
Balance at 1 January 2021  27 570 
Gain on equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income  3 890 
Foreign exchange movements  432 
Change in fair value measurement hierarchy  (31 528)
Balance at 1 January 2022  364 
Foreign exchange movements  (93)
Balance at 31 December 2022  271 
     
12.4 Capital management
  Management regularly monitors and reviews covenant ratios. In terms of the banking facilities, the Group is required to comply with financial covenants. These financial covenants differ based on the contractual terms of each facility and incorporate both IFRS and non-IFRS financial measures. In the current year MTN Guinea-Bissau breached a loan covenant as result of negative EBITDA performance. No formal wavier has been provided by lender as result the full outstanding balance of R171 million has been included in current borrowing balance. For the year ended 31 December 2021, MTN Cameroon breached a loan requirement to recapitalise in accordance with the OHADA Uniform Act on Commercial Companies. This breach related to an outstanding loan balance of R849 million. The process of recapitalisation was finalised in May 2022 and MTN Cameroon is compliant with the OHADA Uniform Act on Commercial Companies. The Group has complied with all other external loan covenants during the current year. The Group has complied with all other externally imposed loan covenants during the current financial year.

13. AUTHORISED COMMITMENTS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE

2022
Rm
2021
Rm
37 075 34 535
– Contracted 9 808 12 725
– Not contracted 27 267 21 810

14. INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES

2022
Rm
2021
Rm
Bank overdrafts 716 469
Current borrowings 15 493 14 949
Current interest-bearing liabilities 16 209 15 418
Non-current borrowings 65 781 65 484
Total interest-bearing liabilities 81 990 80 902

15. ISSUE AND REPAYMENT OF DEBT SECURITIES

During the year under review the following entities raised and repaid significant debt instruments:

Raised
2022
Rm
 
Repaid
2022
Rm
 
Raised
2021
Rm 
Repaid1
2021
Rm 
Mobile Telephone Networks Holdings Limited  4 127   4 822   5 350  11 128 
Loan facilities    2 500  700  9 028 
Domestic medium term programme  4 127   2 322  4 650  2 100 
MTN Mauritius      –  2 202 
Loan facilities      –  2 202 
MTN (Mauritius) Investments Limited    5 444   –  7 550 
United States dollar senior unsecured notes    5 444   –  7 550 
Scancom PLC (MTN Ghana)2    347   410  1 104 
Term loan      –  285 
Revolving credit facility    347   410  819 
MTN Côte d’lvoire S.A. (MTN Côte d’lvoire) 1 600   1 316   1 035 
Syndicated term loan  1 600   1 316   1 035 
MTN Nigeria Communications PLC (MTN Nigeria) 18 397   13 874   15 178  18 239 
Term loans  8 577  8 005  5 494  12 402 
Bond and commercial paper 2,3  9 820   5 869   9 684  5 837 
Other  876  2 331  2 811  2 695 
Total  25 000  28 134  23 754  43 953 
1 The 2021 year saw a substantial increase in borrowing repayments in line with the Group’s strategy to accelerate the delivering of the Holdco* balance sheet, reducing exposure to United States dollar debt and improving the funding mix at a Holdco level.
2 On April 12, 2022 MTN Nigeria issued N150 billion commercial paper; Series I with face value of N51 billion for 184 days and Series II N75.6 billion for 254 days. It also Issued Series III on 14 September 2022 with face value of N23 billion for 184 days.
3 In September 2022 MTN Nigeria issued local bond Series I Tranche A with face value N10 billion with a four-year tenor and Tranche B with face value of N105 billion with a 10-year tenor.
* Holdco comprises of the Group excluding operating segments per note 7 and GlobalConnect.

16. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

2022
Rm
2021
Rm
Contingent liabilities 2 021 2 878
Uncertain tax matters 1 142 1 622
Legal and regulatory matters 879 1 256

Uncertain tax exposures

The Group operates in numerous tax jurisdictions and the Group’s interpretation and application of the various tax rules applied in direct and indirect tax filings may result in disputes between the Group and the relevant tax authority. The outcome of such disputes may not be favourable to the Group. At 31 December 2022, there were a number of tax disputes ongoing in various of the Group’s operating entities. The most significant matter relates to a transfer pricing dispute which the Group is contesting with the South African Revenue Service that relates to the 2009 to 2012 tax years. Based on internal and external legal and technical advice obtained, the Group remains confident that it has a robust legal case to contest the exposure.

Legal and regulatory matters

The Group is involved in various legal and regulatory matters, the outcome of which may not be favourable to the Group and none of which are considered individually material.

The Group has applied its judgement and has recognised liabilities based on whether additional amounts will be payable and has included contingent liabilities where economic outflows are considered possible but not probable.

17. EXCHANGE RATES TO SOUTH AFRICAN RAND

Closing rates Average rates
2022 2021 2022 2021
Foreign currency to South African rand:
United States dollar US$ 17.05 15.94 16.37 14.82
South African rand to foreign currency:
Nigerian naira NGN 27.05 26.61 26.05 27.54
Iranian rial1,2 IRR 16 914.43 15 391.55 15 736.47 15 425.94
Ghanaian cedi GHS 0.62 0.40 0.54 0.40
Cameroon Communauté Financière Africaine franc XAF 35.93 36.15 37.98 37.37
Côte d'lvoire Communauté Financière Africaine franc CFA 35.93 36.14 38.08 37.36
Ugandan shilling UGX 218.43 222.99 225.50 241.06
Syrian pound 2,3 SYP N/A 157.59 N/A 147.69
Sudanese pound2 SDG 34.03 27.47 33.51 25.07
1 SANA rate.
2 The financial results, positions and cash flows of foreign operations trading in hyperinflationary economies are translated as set out in note 6.
3 Not applicable for the 2022 financial year as the Group lost control of MTN Syria and exited Yemen in the prior year.

The Group’s functional and presentation currency is rand. The strengthening of the closing rate of the rand against the functional currencies of the Group’s largest operations contributed to the decrease in consolidated assets and liabilities and the resulting foreign currency translation reserve decrease of R279 million (2021: R579 million increase) for the year.

Net investment hedges

The Group hedges a designated portion of its dollar net assets in MTN Dubai for foreign currency exposure arising between the US$ and ZAR as part of the Group’s risk management objectives. The Group designated external borrowings denominated in US$ held by MTN (Mauritius) Investments Limited with a value of R16.0 billion (2021: R21.4 billion). For the period of the hedge relationship, foreign exchange movements on these hedging instruments are recognised in other comprehensive income as part of the foreign currency translation reserve (FCTR), offsetting the exchange differences recognised in other comprehensive income, arising on translation of the designated dollar net assets of MTN Dubai to ZAR. The cumulative foreign exchange movement recognised in other comprehensive income will only be reclassified to profit or loss upon loss of control of MTN Dubai. There was no hedge ineffectiveness recognised in profit or loss during the current or prior year.

18. CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDING

18.1 Disposal of MTN Nigeria shares
 

On 31 January 2022, the Group disposed of 661.25 million shares in MTN Nigeria following a secondary offer. This took the Group’s shareholding from 78.83% to 75.58%. Proceeds generated from the sale of shares, net of taxes and transaction costs amounted to NGN97.6 billion (R3.4 billion translated at the effective date). This resulted in a net gain of R3 billion that was recognised in equity as a transaction with non-controlling interest.

18.2 Disposal of aYo shares
 

On 15 March 2022, the Group entered into a transaction to dispose of 50% of the shares held in aYo. The sale was subject to a number of conditions precedent which were met on 28 October 2022 and the sale became effective. This took the Group’s shareholding from 100% to 50%. The Group retained control in aYo through a shareholder’s agreement. The agreement gives the Group power over the detailed business plans, which enables the Group to direct the relevant activities of aYo. Proceeds generated from the sale of the shares, net of transaction costs amounted to USD40 million (R729 million1). This resulted in a net gain of R293 million that was recognised in equity as a transaction with non-controlling interest.

  1 Translated at the effective date of the sale. Cash proceeds per the statement of cash flows are translated at the spot rate on the date of receipt of the proceeds.
18.3 MTN Ghana localisation
 

In April 2022, the Group concluded the transfer of a 5% interest in MTN Ghana to Ghanaian citizens as part of the Group’s localisation strategy. The shares are held through five separate special purpose vehicles (Ghana SPVs).

 

The Ghana SPVs acquired 614 523 715 of MTN Ghana’s shares at a price of GHS0.90 per share for a total consideration of R1 122 million. The acquisition of these shares was funded through equity contributions from the Ghana SPVs shareholders and vendor loans provided by MTN (Dubai) Limited (MTN Dubai).

 

The Ghana SPVs must repay the vendor loans using dividends on the MTN Ghana shares over a period of 10 years before the shares become unencumbered. Consequently, the Group does not recognise a non-controlling interest for the MTN Ghana shares legally sold to the Ghana SPVs and consolidates the Ghana SPVs until the vendor loans are fully repaid.

 

The transactions have been accounted for as equity-settled share-based payment transactions in accordance with IFRS 2 Share-based Payments and the Group recognised an expense of R85 million in profit or loss, with a corresponding entry in equity.

18.4 MTN Afghanistan
 

On 20 June 2022, the Group received a binding offer for the sale of MTN Afghanistan for a consideration of approximately US$24 million (R434 million1) on a discounted basis. MTN Dubai and MINT Trading Middle East Limited (a 100% subsidiary of M1  Group Limited) have subsequently signed a sale and purchase agreement on 10 March 2023, which is subject to conditions precedent. The Group expects the sale to be concluded during the second half of 2023. Accordingly, MTN Afghanistan’s assets and liabilities have been presented as held for sale.

 

An impairment loss of R1 263 million after writing down the carrying amount of the disposal group to its fair value less costs to sell has been recognised in profit or loss. MTN Afghanistan is presented as part of the MENA cluster in the segment information (note 7). On disposal of MTN Afghanistan, accumulated foreign currency translation reserve (FCTR) gains will be reclassified to profit and loss. As at 31 December 2022, MTN Afghanistan’s accumulated FCTR gain was R696 million.

 

The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that have been reclassified to non-current assets held for sale as at 31 December 2022 were:

 
  31 December
2022
Rm
Property, plant and equipment 449
Right-of-use assets 245
Intangible assets 151
Deferred tax asset 43
Trade receivables and other current assets 518
Cash and cash equivalents 546
Total assets 1 952
Current liabilities 1 135
Lease liabilities 383
Total liabilities 1 518
Net carrying amount of assets held for sale 434
1 Translated at the closing exchange at 31 December 2022 of US$1 = R17.0471.

19. MTN SA TOWERS SALE

On 16 November 2021, MTN SA entered into an agreement with IHS Group to sell its tower infrastructure (comprising approximately 5 700 tower sites) and power assets; cede related agreements including land lease agreements (on which the towers are constructed) to IHS Group; and lease back space on the towers which it would sell. Additionally, IHS Group, will provide electricity utility services at each site, as well as a direct current power backup service. The related conditions precedent were fulfilled and the transaction became effective on 30 May 2022.

Nature of transaction

As MTN SA has transferred its land leases and tower infrastructure to IHS Group and is leasing tower spaces back on this infrastructure, this part of the transaction has been accounted for as a sale and leaseback in terms of IFRS 16 Leases. MTN SA has agreed to lease tower spaces for its own use for a 10-year period, with an option to renew for a further 10 years. In addition, MTN SA has leased additional tower spaces that it can only utilise in terms of an existing barter arrangement for a period of 30 years.

As MTN SA is transferring its power assets and will be receiving electricity and other services going forward, the Group accounted for this part of the transaction as a disposal of property, plant and equipment as it no longer has the right to control the use of an identifiable asset. The electricity utility and power backup service arrangement are accounted for as a service arrangement and recognised as an expense as the service is received.

Pre-existing barter arrangement

Prior to the transaction, MTN SA had a barter arrangement with another mobile network operator, where they each co-located on each other’s towers on a non-cash basis. As the tower spaces that are exchanged are similar in nature, MTN SA had previously assessed that this barter arrangement lacks commercial substance and, therefore, is not required to be accounted for.

Subsequent to the transaction with IHS Group, MTN SA has retained the pre-existing barter arrangement with another mobile network operator. MTN SA received a reduced upfront purchase price for the tower infrastructure and thereby, in substance, prepaid for the lease of these barter spaces. Control of the barter spaces has transferred to IHS Group as MTN SA is not allowed to utilise the barter spaces for its own benefit or lease these spaces to any party other than the specified mobile network operator and the use of the tower spaces remains with IHS should the mobile network operator cancel the barter arrangement. MTN SA has therefore accounted for these barter spaces as part of the sale and leaseback arrangement.

MTN SA has measured the right-of-use asset from the sale and leaseback at the proportion of the previous carrying amount of the assets transferred (including the remaining land leases still to be transferred) that relates to the total right-of-use retained by MTN SA. The right-of-use retained was calculated by comparing the present value of the future lease payments (including the prepayment for the barter spaces) to the fair value of the assets transferred to IHS Group (including the existing land leases).

The remaining land leases transferred to IHS Group will be derecognised as they are legally ceded to IHS Group and the related gain or loss on derecognition will be accounted for as part of the overall gain or loss on disposal group.

MTN SA has recognised a R371 million gain (included in other income) on the disposal of the disposal group, including the land leases, which were ceded when the transaction became effective, up to 31 December 2022. This transaction resulted in a tax income of R34 million, which is included in income tax expense in the Group income statement.

31 December 2022 
Tower sale
and
leaseback
Rm
 
Power
assets
Rm
 
Total
Rm
 
Cash received  5 282  1 073  6 355 
(Payable)/receivable  (11) 193  182 
Total proceeds  5 271  1 266  6 537 
Derecognise: 
Property, plant and equipment  (2 095) (1 687) (3 782)
Right-of-use assets – land leases  (2 407)   (2 407)
Lease liability – land leases  2 870    2 870 
Decommissioning provision  12    12 
Recognise: 
Right-of-use asset – tower space  5 196    5 196 
Lease liability – tower space  (7 974)   (7 974)
Provision for vandalised sites/inventory  (50) (31) (81)
Gain/(loss) recognised  823  (452) 371 

The remaining land leases are presented as held for sale:

31 December 
2022 
Rm 
Right-of-use assets 1 406 
Lease liabilities (1 583)
Net carrying amount of assets held for sale (177)

20. EVENTS AFTER REPORTING PERIOD

Dividends declared

Dividends declared at the Board meeting held on 10 March 2023 amounted to 330 cents per share.