MTN has launched a new weekly reward for eligible customers in South Africa, offering one hour of free TikTok access every Sunday. The promotion, called TikTok Open Time, allows users to browse, create, and share content on the platform without consuming their regular data allowance. However, the offer is not available to MTN subscribers in Nigeria, leaving them out of the initiative.
How MTN's TikTok Open Time Works
According to MTN, customers can claim the free TikTok connectivity through the MTN App, under the MyGifts section. Once claimed, the benefit provides one hour of dedicated TikTok access every Sunday. The reward is designed to give users more freedom to engage with the platform without worrying about their normal mobile data allocation during the specified period.
The telecom operator said the initiative is aimed at making its services more rewarding and convenient for customers who regularly use social media. Users can spend their free hour catching up on trending videos, supporting creators, sharing content with friends, or producing their own TikTok posts, as per the company's statement.
MTN Pushes 'One SIM' Strategy
The launch is part of MTN's broader effort to encourage customers to get more value from a single MTN SIM, rather than switching between networks to access different promotions. MTN said TikTok Open Time builds on the momentum of its MTN Yiyo campaign, which promotes the idea that customers can rely on MTN as the only SIM they need. The operator described the TikTok reward as another incentive for customers to download and regularly use the MTN App.
“Whether they’re catching up on trending videos, supporting local creators, sharing content with friends, or creating their own posts, customers can enjoy a dedicated hour to do what they love most on TikTok,” the company said.
Why TikTok is Important to MTN
Muyiwa Lapido, Chief Consumer Officer for Prepaid at MTN South Africa, said the initiative reflects the growing appetite for digital content among South African consumers. He noted that customers are increasingly creating and consuming content online, making it important for MTN to provide digital experiences that are relevant and rewarding. According to Lapido, TikTok Open Time gives customers access to exclusive digital benefits every week, which can be claimed directly through the MTN App.
TikTok has experienced significant growth in South Africa in recent years, becoming one of the country's most widely used social platforms, according to a report by MyBroadband. By late May 2025, the short-form video platform reportedly had more than 17 million active users in South Africa, compared with about four million in early 2023. TikTok also recorded one of the highest levels of access among smartphone users in the country, reaching about 30% and ranking behind Facebook among major social media platforms.
For MTN, the new weekly reward provides an opportunity to connect its growing customer base with one of the world’s most popular short-video platforms while encouraging greater engagement with its mobile app. For now, however, Nigerian MTN customers will have to wait for any similar TikTok Open Time offer to be introduced in the Nigerian market.
