In a first for the continent, MTN Group brought together over 130 tech experts from 21 companies to build the digital standards that will power Africa’s future.
Africa’s largest telco joined forces with Chenosis and Bayobab to host a four-day TM Forum Open API Spec Jam in Johannesburg to accelerate digital self-determination across the continent.
Telecom operators, fintech innovators, and digital service providers collaborated to shape 11 Open API specifications tailored to the real-world integration needs of African markets.
The landmark event drew active participation from MTN’s broader ecosystem, including Chenosis, the Group’s API marketplace, and Bayobab, its digital infrastructure business.
“Africa’s digital future will be shaped by the standards we define today. Hosting the first Open API Spec Jam on the continent is an important step in ensuring those standards reflect African realities and are built for scale,” said Nikos Angelopoulos, MTN Group chief information officer.
The APIs focused on areas where consistency and interoperability are critical, such as digital identity, fraud prevention, financial integration, and blockchain. Lightweight AI models were also prioritised, with an eye on enabling inclusion across devices with limited computing power.
Each API was developed with practical use cases in mind, from fraud reduction and secure onboarding to enhancing the integrity of transactions and AI accessibility.
Location data APIs aim to support logistics and emergency response, while others explore loyalty mechanisms and improved 5G network management.
Nik Willetts, CEO of TM Forum, praised the Spec Jam initiative for bringing API Innovation to Africa.
“We achieved record-breaking participation and shone a spotlight on African innovation. The contributions made here will influence global API standards for years to come,” he said.
Angelopoulos underlined that the Spec Jam marked a turning point in how African developers shape global standards. “By contributing directly to the specification process, African developers are helping build tools that are both relevant and usable,” he said.
He emphasised that as the continent builds digital infrastructure for the future, this milestone signals telecoms giant’s continued commitment to advancing open, inclusive ecosystems, designed not just to scale, but to thrive in Africa’s unique environments.
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