MTN Group Ltd. said its profit for the six months ended June 30 surged 22 percent, owing to an expansion of network and rise in data clients and subscribers in Nigeria.

Africa’s dominant mobile-phone company said its net income for the first-half jumped to 7.63 billion rand ($970 million), while sales climbed to 57.3 billion rand, up by 24 percent, said the company.

MTN, which has operations in 21 countries, reported 14 percent growth in total subscribers during the six months to 103.2 million, up by 39 percent over the last year. While referring to the increase in subscriber rate, Phuthuma Nhleko, MTN Chief Executive said it is a sign that the company's growth profile continues to remain healthy.

He further added that MTN hopes to add 22.6 million customers by 2009.

MTN’s subscribers in Nigeria rose 19 percent to 27.3 million.

However, subscribers in South Africa grew by a mere 62,000 during the period to rest at 17.2 million.

“The disappointing increase in subscribers was due to a combination of factors including challenges on the network and supporting systems, slowing growth, pressure on consumer spend, and competitor activity in the first half of the year,” said MTN in its statement.

Further, the company’s first-half adjusted earnings per share excluding one-time items came down by 11 percent, because of the South African currency’s gains.