A new youth movement has entered South Africa’s mobile market. YOMO, the youth-focused Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) launched by TechNov8, a subsidiary of BLU, is positioning itself at the intersection of entertainment, learning and lifestyle.
YOMO is betting that the next wave of growth in telecoms will come not from selling expensive gigabytes, but from building platforms where young people can learn, create, hustle and play without data holding them back.
The launch at the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum in Soweto signalled that YOMO is more than a network — it is a cultural statement. By combining affordable bundles with the YOMOverse, a zero-rated digital platform, YOMO gives students access to education and training, but also opens doors to entertainment and community. The YOMO verse features data-free pathways for learning and gig work alongside spaces for music discovery, digital creativity, wellness and financial literacy.
“YOMO is built for the real lives of young South Africans,” said José Andre, CEO of TechNov8. “We know that data is not only for school or work — it’s also for music, for gaming, for sharing ideas and for expressing creativity. Our mission is to make sure that all of these things are affordable and accessible, while connecting them back to opportunity. Education and entertainment are not opposites — they are part of the same story of empowerment.”
With youth unemployment at 43% and over 8 million young people not in education, employment or training, the stakes are high. Yet the youth market is also South Africa’s most creative and connected demographic, driving trends in music, digital media, fashion and gaming. YOMO is betting that by aligning affordable connectivity with youth culture — from live events and music streaming to esports and creator communities — it can build loyalty and scale to one million users.
Industry watchers note that MVNOs have already proven disruptive in other markets, cutting customer costs by more than half while creating niche communities around lifestyle and entertainment. YOMO aims to go further by making entertainment a gateway into education and economic inclusion.
The “Be On” campaign, YOMO’s launch movement, captures this spirit. It challenges South African youth to not only stay online but to stay plugged into opportunity, culture and community — from classrooms to stages, from study groups to dance floors.
About YOMO
YOMO (Youth Mobile) is South Africa’s first youth-focused MVNO, launched in September 2025 by TechNov8, a subsidiary of BLU. YOMO provides affordable mobile connectivity and zero-rated access to the YOMOverse — a digital platform offering education, gigs, entertainment, music, gaming, financial literacy and wellness tools. Its mission is to connect one million young South Africans to opportunity by blending culture, creativity and learning into one affordable digital ecosystem.