Cash rain in Brazzaville
Applause echoed through the MTN House on Avenue de la Paix as the mobile operator officially rewarded the first four winners of its “Sepela na Quiz” promotion. The 7 September ceremony drew family, influencers and bloggers eager to see how nearly three million CFA francs would change hands (ACI, 08 Sept).
- Cash rain in Brazzaville
- Cedras Meya pockets two million CFA
- Other lucky subscribers celebrate
- How “Sepela na Quiz” works
- Promotion runs until 10 October
- Battle dance synergy powers excitement
- Youth-centric branding strategy
- Economic ripple effect
- Digital inclusion drive
- Corporate social responsibility angle
- Regulatory thumbs-up
- Security and privacy safeguards
- Community voices
- Local artists on board
- Mobile money integration
- A boost for consumer confidence
- Countdown to the grand draw
- Tips for prospective players
- Optimism fills the air
Cedras Meya pockets two million CFA
The star of the afternoon was Cedras Melchior Meya Sahou, a young office worker who clinched the two-million-franc grand prize. Grinning beside an oversized cheque, he thanked MTN for “showing it is more than a network; it is a social partner helping dreams take shape,” he said, phone still buzzing with congratulatory calls.
Other lucky subscribers celebrate
Euloge Batina left the hall 500,000 francs richer, while Ngolali Félicité Mesmer and Arnaud Pemba Miakayissi each secured 200,000-franc cheques. All three winners echoed a similar message: read every MTN quiz text, play consistently and stay patient. “Even small daily points can snowball,” Mesmer laughed, holding her bright-yellow envelope.
How “Sepela na Quiz” works
Subscribers opt in by texting a short code and receive multiple-choice questions about Congolese culture, sport and general knowledge. Each correct reply earns points that feed a weekly draw. The more questions answered, the higher the chances, according to MTN’s digital marketing manager Vany Barnos, who called the game “edutainment on your SIM.”
Promotion runs until 10 October
Barnos reminded users that fresh draws will take place every seven days until the grand finale on 10 October. Additional cash, smartphones and data bundles are up for grabs. “We want everyone, from Makélékélé to Talangaï, to feel they can win, not just heavy data users,” he stressed (MTN Congo Facebook post, 07 Sept).
Battle dance synergy powers excitement
The award ceremony was timed to coincide with the semi-final of the second “Sepela na Battle Dance”, a street-dance contest streamed on TikTok and YouTube. The dual events feed off each other, fusing pop culture and gamified learning while driving traffic to MTN’s 4G network and MoMo mobile-money platform.
Youth-centric branding strategy
Analysts note MTN Congo’s campaigns increasingly target urban youth, who represent the fastest-growing segment of its 7.5-million-strong subscriber base. By combining quizzes, dance battles and micro-influencers, the brand captures attention in a crowded market where rival Airtel also courts gamers and beat-makers.
Economic ripple effect
Two million CFA may sound modest abroad, yet in Brazzaville it equals roughly two years of minimum wages. Winners told reporters they intend to launch side businesses, pay school fees and reinforce family savings, injecting fresh liquidity into neighbourhood economies just as back-to-school spending peaks.
Digital inclusion drive
The promotion also nudges customers toward data-enabled services. To answer questions quickly, most players rely on Google or social-media crowdsourcing, quietly boosting data traffic. MTN says quiz traffic added a three-percent bump to daily data volumes since July, a figure the firm calls “organic proof of digital appetite”.
Corporate social responsibility angle
Beyond revenue, MTN positions the campaign as part of its “Ambition 2025” pledge to foster connectivity and financial inclusion. Earlier this year the firm funded coding bootcamps in Pointe-Noire and donated e-learning tablets to rural schools in Plateaux Department, moves applauded by local NGOs for bridging the urban-rural digital divide (La Semaine Africaine, 14 May).
Regulatory thumbs-up
Telecom regulator ARPCE has approved the mechanics of “Sepela na Quiz”, stating it complies with fair-game rules. Officials present at the hand-over praised MTN’s transparency in publishing weekly scoreboards. Such oversight reassures participants after past controversies in the region over opaque SMS lotteries.
Security and privacy safeguards
MTN insists participants’ personal data stay encrypted and are deleted three months after the campaign closes. No information is shared with third-party advertisers. Barnos urged users never to reveal mobile-money PIN codes, noting that all official calls come from MTN’s 5055 hotline, not private numbers.
Community voices
Outside the venue, student dancer Carole Mapipi said the dual events boost local morale. “We practise moves for Battle Dance, then answer quiz questions during breaks,” she laughed. Market vendor Jean-Paul Voula added that even mature customers join in: “My wife texts answers while waiting for clients.”
Local artists on board
Brazzaville rapper Yekima de Bel’Art performed a short freestyle referencing the quiz and urged fans to “use knowledge like currency.” His cameo underlined the company’s support of home-grown talent, a stance consistent with its sponsorship of the Fespam music festival last July.
Mobile money integration
Prizes are handed out by cheque for photo visibility, yet winners can instantly transfer funds to their MTN MoMo wallets. According to the company, 67 percent of cash-prize recipients in 2022 chose digital transfer, underscoring MoMo’s role in national efforts to reduce cash dependence.
A boost for consumer confidence
Transparency around winners, live streams of cheque hand-overs and constant social-media updates counter rumours that brand promotions favour insiders. “Seeing real names and faces gives me faith to keep playing,” said quiz participant Chancelle Okemba, watching the ceremony from the public gallery.
Countdown to the grand draw
With four weeks left, MTN plans radio jingles, campus roadshows and pop-up selfie booths to maintain momentum. Barnos hinted at a “surprise celebrity appearance” for the 10 October finale, promising that the closing event will be “the most interactive MTN livestream of the year”.
Tips for prospective players
Current leaders advise answering every question within five minutes to maximise points and ensuring airtime balances stay positive to avoid dropped sessions. Observers also suggest bookmarking reliable trivia sites and collaborating in WhatsApp groups, turning the game into a communal learning exercise.
Optimism fills the air
As cameras packed away and dancers rehearsed for the semi-final, Cedras Meya reflected on his win. “This cheque means my poultry-farm project can start tomorrow,” he smiled. “If a simple SMS changed my life, imagine what we can all achieve with the right network.”
