MTN Group Limited

Turkcell and its subsidiary EAC sued MTN in the South African High Court in 2013, seeking US$4.2 billion over the award of Iran's first private mobile licence^S3. Turkcell alleges MTN paid bribes to South African and Iranian officials, which MTN denies^S4. The High Court dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction in November 2022, but the Supreme Court of Appeal reversed that on 29 April 2025^S3. MTN filed for leave to appeal to the Constitutional Court in May 2025^S4^S5. In the US, a federal court in New York denied in part MTN's motion to dismiss in Zobay in September 2023^S1. On 25 September 2026 the court refused reconsideration and two cases moved to discovery^S2^S6.

Also known as: MTN, MTN Group
Headquarters: South Africa
Records from: South Africa, United States
Current status: Operating telecommunications group based in Johannesburg. Turkcell's damages claim was revived when the Supreme Court of Appeal held on 29 April 2025 that South African courts have jurisdiction^S3. MTN filed a notice of intention to appeal to the Constitutional Court on 21 May 2025^S4, and no decision on it was found as of October 2026. Two US Anti-Terrorism Act cases, Zobay and Long, moved to discovery after a ruling on 25 September 2026^S6.

Scope. This record covers Turkcell's claim over the Iran mobile licence and US Anti-Terrorism Act suits against MTN. It does not cover MTN's tax disputes in Nigeria or other African markets, or Turkcell's separate dealings with other parties.

Claims assessed

4 claims. Scores grade the evidence for each claim, not the organization.

Unresolved56
Turkcell alleges in its South African lawsuit that MTN paid bribes to South African and Iranian officials to secure its stake in Irancell.
Press report, 22 May 20254 records citedBribery
Outdated68
The South African High Court found in November 2022 that South African courts did not have jurisdiction over Turkcell's claim against MTN and dismissed it with costs.
Press report, 30 April 20254 records citedCorporate status
Unresolved58
Plaintiffs in US Anti-Terrorism Act suits allege that MTN paid protection money to the Taliban for the security of its towers in Afghanistan.
Press report, 29 September 20265 records citedSanctions
Supported65
MTN said the September 2023 US ruling did not mean it had lost the case or that it had violated the law.
Company statement, 17 April 20255 records citedCorporate status

Cases and proceedings

Turkcell and East Asian Consortium (EAC) v. MTN Group Limited and othersHigh Court of South Africa, Supreme Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court. Civil. Not published.Stage: Jurisdiction upheld by the Supreme Court of Appeal on 29 April 2025. Notice of intention to appeal to the Constitutional Court filed on 21 May 2025. No decision found as of October 2026. No merits hearing.
- 29 April 2025 Supreme Court of Appeal sets aside the High Court ruling^S3
- 21 May 2025 MTN files notice of intention to appeal to the Constitutional Court^S4
Zobay et al. v. MTN Group Limited et al., with the related Long caseUS District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Civil. Not published.Stage: Discovery in Zobay and the related Long case after the ruling of 25 September 2026. The separate Cabrera and Chand cases are in the District of Columbia and had no material updates^S2^S6.
- 28 September 2023 Motion to dismiss denied in part, granted as to MTN Dubai^S1
- 25 September 2026 Requests for reconsideration and interlocutory appeal refused^S2^S6

Responses on record

MTN Group, 29 September 2026, on Plaintiffs in US Anti-Terrorism Act suits allege that MTN paid protection money to the Tal...
MTN said the rulings are procedural and that it was not a culpable participant in the attacks.^S2
MTN Group, 30 April 2025, on Turkcell alleges in its South African lawsuit that MTN paid bribes to South African and Ir...
MTN said the appeal ruling did not relate to the merits of Turkcell's claims.^S3

Revision history

25 October 2026 Profile and 4 assessments first published. Records checked to 25 October 2026.

Source records

S3Tier C MTN, Turkcell $4.2B legal battle heads to SA's top courtConnecting Africa. Press report. 30 April 2025.Report by Paula Gilbert on the High Court and appeal rulings. It does not report a Constitutional Court filing.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S4Tier C MTN files appeal with Constitutional Court over Iran licence caseBusiness Day. Press report. 22 May 2025.Report by Mudiwa Gavaza on MTN's notice of intention to appeal, Turkcell's allegations and its opposition. It reports no Constitutional Court decision.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S1Tier B MTN Group notes incorrect media article relating to US legal issueMTN Group. Company statement. 17 April 2025.MTN's account of the September 2023 Zobay ruling and its denial. It is a party statement, not the court order.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S2Tier C United States anti-terrorism case against South Africa's MTN moving aheadBusinessTech. Press report. 29 September 2026.Staff report on the 2026 refusal of reconsideration and the move to discovery. It names no reporter and gives no order date.
S6Tier C Two MTN antiterrorism cases move to discovery phase in the USBusiness Day. Press report. 30 September 2026.Report by Mudiwa Gavaza dating the refusal of reconsideration to 25 September and placing the Cabrera and Chand cases in the District of Columbia. It relays an MTN update, not the order.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S5Tier C Turkcell Lawsuit Against MTN Moves Forward After SCA RulingTechAfrica News. Press report. 30 April 2025.Report by Aayushya Ranjan quoting MTN's intention to approach the Constitutional Court. It reports no ruling.Link working, checked 25 October 2026