MTN Group is inviting its over 219 million customers across Africa and the Middle East to join hands in a three-month campaign, starting next month, to raise funds for a ‘United Against Ebola’ campaign.

According to a statement from the telecom issued yesterday, the firm is acting in response to an appeal by the African Union for leading companies in Africa to support  the fight against Ebola.

Pledges were made at the recent Africa Business roundtable meeting hosted by the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

As part of its pledge, MTN committed $10 million (about Rwf7 billion) and is now inviting customers to participate in an SMS campaign to donate a minimum of $1 per person.

"MTN is supporting this campaign to give further impetus to concerted efforts aimed at combating the Ebola epidemic,” said Sifiso Dabengwa, MTN Group president.

The firm is working closely with authorities to curb the spread of the disease in the most affected countries Guinea, SierraLeone and Liberia.

Some of the measures include distributing information about the disease, its transmission, and preventative measures.

The initiative follows internet service provider Liquid Telecom Rwanda’s $250,000 donation last week aimed at backing government efforts to prevent the spread of the disease that has taken up to 5,000 lives so far.