The Board Chairman of MTN Ghana, Dr Ishmael Yamson, has urged African governments to provide stronger support for home-grown multinational companies, arguing that empowering African businesses is critical to accelerating regional integration and strengthening the continent's global competitiveness.

Speaking on The Y'ello Chair – Episode 8, MTN's vodcast platform that connects African leaders and changemakers to discuss the continent's future, Dr Yamson said Africa must create a more enabling environment for indigenous multinational companies to expand and thrive across the continent.

According to him, one of the biggest challenges facing African businesses is the lack of harmonised regulations across countries, forcing companies operating in multiple markets to navigate different legal and regulatory systems.

"Today, literally every country you go to, the regulatory environment is different. We are operating in 19 countries, and we are dealing with 19 different regulatory environments. That is tough," he said.

Dr Yamson called for greater harmonisation of laws and regulations, particularly among Africa's largest economies, to make it easier for businesses to operate across borders and contribute to the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

"It's important that we set the idea of harmonising our laws and regulations across the continent, especially between the big economies, to make sure that businesses can flow from one country to another without great difficulty," he noted.

He also observed that African governments often appear more comfortable engaging with foreign multinational companies than African-owned businesses, a mindset he believes must change.

"Companies like MTN and other African multinationals need the support of African governments. Unfortunately, African governments find it easier to deal with non-African multinationals than dealing with African multinationals," he said.

Explaining why this situation persists, Dr Yamson suggested that perceptions and attitudes have contributed to the challenge.

"It's very simple. Why should I be dictated to by my other Black brother? And that's a mindset that should change," he remarked.

He stressed that stronger African companies are essential if the continent is to increase its influence in the global economy, noting that Africa currently contributes only a small share of global innovation while continuing to import technologies and innovations developed elsewhere.

"We need to understand that together we'll be bigger. If we continue to operate as small countries and build only small companies, we're not going to make any meaningful impact anywhere," he said.

Dr Yamson further called for African governments and the private sector to establish regular platforms for dialogue to address common challenges and develop policies that promote business growth and continental development.

"I think that has been the missing link. We need to bring the African private sector and African governments together and have a forum where we can have the difficult conversations, but at the end of the day, we see what will be beneficial to both parties," he said.

He maintained that stronger partnerships between governments and African multinationals would not only support business growth but also advance economic integration, job creation and sustainable development across the continent.