South Africa’s MTN has promised to expand its operations in South Sudan to cater for the rising demand for mobile services.

However, MTN is struggling with numerous problems related to the ongoing civil war, says Khumbulani Dhlomo, the head of corporate services in the capital Juba.

These include insecurity on the ground and an economic downturn while the shutdown of Vivacell’s mobile network has increased MTN’s burden to enhance its capacity to cater for over a million subscribers, the Sudan Tribune reported.

Vivacell was closed down by the government in March following a tax dispute with the government.

MTN’s major projects, such as the building of about 40 towers countrywide, have also been halted by the conflict.

The telecommunication company spent $170 million on the South Sudan network infrastructure from 2014-2015 but has made no profit since 2012, the official said.

MTN is the second largest mobile operator in South Sudan after Vivacell, with over 800,000 subscribers. (via African News Agency)