PRESS RELEASE

Dublin, Ireland – January 21, 2026 – AC SHINING STARS MANAGEMENT Ltd (ACS) announced today that it has filed an international lawsuit against MTN Group Limited (South African registration number: 1994/009584/06) and its subsidiaries, seeking over €4 billion (approximately 2.6 trillion CFA francs) in damages for the unauthorized use of its registered trademark “ MOBILE MONEY®” in the following 14 countries: Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, Ivory Coast, France, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Namibia, Rwanda, and Zambia . The lawsuit targets MTN Group Limited, headquartered at 216-14th Avenue, Fairland 2195, Cresta 2118, South Africa, and its subsidiaries in the affected markets.

Protection in 37 jurisdictions across 3 continents (Europe, Africa and Asia)

The trademark “MOBILE MONEY ®” (World Intellectual Property Office registration number: ROM.1318304) has been examined, validated and protected by more than 21 intellectual property offices worldwide:

-      Directly protected (20 countries): Botswana, China, Algeria, Egypt, France, Ghana, Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Lesotho, Morocco, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe

-      OAPI (17 countries): Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo-Brazzaville, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad, Togo

Recourse to the courts as a last resort

AC Shining Stars' legal action comes after exhausting all non-contentious (amicable and diplomatic) avenues for years. The company attempted to contact MTN Group amicably, but these attempts were rejected, and MTN Group adopted a hostile stance. "Only after MTN Group ignored our efforts and acted aggressively towards us did we seek legal protection for our rights and those of our partners," a company spokesperson stated.

Claim for damages of 4 billion euros (approximately 2600 billion FCFA)

The complaint details how the MTN Group and its subsidiaries systematically exploited the trademark for commercial purposes in 14 protected markets without authorization, thereby violating AC Shining Stars' rights and harming its partners who had obtained legitimate licenses. AC Shining Stars is seeking over €4 billion in damages for massive infringements of its intellectual property.

Strategic Implications

Legal experts believe this case could set important precedents for trademark and intellectual property protection in the rapidly expanding mobile payments and Fintech ecosystem in Africa and around the world, particularly regarding the obligation for multinationals to respect registered intellectual property worldwide.

International notice to all organizations

AC SHINING STARS is taking advantage of this legal action and international publicity to unequivocally reaffirm that the "MOBILE MONEY®" trademark is protected intellectual property and that no organization or individual may use it without express written authorization, much less as a generic term. Any unauthorized use constitutes trademark infringement or trademark violation and is subject to legal action. The company will vigorously defend its rights and those of its authorized partners worldwide. 

About AC SHINING STARS

AC SHINING STARS is an independent international financial technology services group based in Dublin, Ireland, committed to fintech innovation and intellectual property protection.

Media Contacts:

 AC SHINING STARS | admin[at]acshiningstars.com
Legal Counsel: Mr. Paul BAYEMI, Étoiles Avocats Law Firm, Paris, France | pbayemi[at]etoileavocats.com
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Trademark verification link : https://www3.wipo.int/madrid/monitor/en/showData.jsp?ID=ROM.1318304