In a trading statement, MTN has alerted shareholders that it expects to report an improvement of at least 20% in both headline earnings per share (HEPS) and earnings per share (EPS) for the 12-month period ended 31 December 2017.
This compares to the headline loss per share of 77 cents and attributable loss per share of 144 cents for the prior financial year.

The group states that negative performance in the prior comparable period was mainly as a result of non-recurring costs, including those related to the Nigerian regulatory fine and losses on MTN’s 51% equity interest in the Nigerian tower company.

Both HEPS and EPS for the 12-month period ended 31 December 2017 are expected to be positive.