MTN Reshapes Leadership for Aggressive African Growth
August 21, 2025, 3:48 pm
Location: United States, Wisconsin, Johannesburg
Employees: 10001+
Founded date: 1994
Location: South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg
Employees: 10001+
Founded date: 1994
Total raised: $114.25M
MTN Group orchestrates a significant leadership overhaul. The strategic appointments aim to accelerate its Ambition 2025 strategy. Karl Toriola now leads MTN Nigeria and Francophone Africa. Ferdi Moolman takes the helm at MTN South Africa. Charles Molapisi spearheads AI adoption as Group Chief Technology and Information Officer. Tsholofelo Molefe gains expanded oversight of mergers and acquisitions. Mazen Mroué focuses exclusively on digital infrastructure expansion. Ebenezer Asante drives growth across Ghana, Southern, and East Africa. Selorm Adadevoh integrates strategy and commercial functions. These sweeping changes underscore MTN’s sharpened focus on connectivity, fintech, and digital infrastructure platforms. The company aims for deeper market penetration, enhanced operational efficiencies, and accelerated value creation across its vast African footprint. A new MTN South Africa board chairperson is also named, signaling long-term governance continuity. This decisive executive realignment prepares MTN for its next phase of continental dominance.
MTN Group announces a profound executive reshuffle. This bold move positions the telecommunications giant for its next growth phase. The changes target accelerated strategy execution. They also seek deeper value creation for stakeholders. MTN refines its Ambition 2025 strategy. The core priorities remain relevant. The focus sharpens on three platforms: connectivity, fintech, and digital infrastructure. These are pillars of future success.
Leadership changes are extensive. Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, assumes an additional critical role. He becomes Vice President of Francophone Africa. This places him at the heart of MTN’s continental growth. Toriola oversees key markets. These include Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville. His appointment leverages past regional experience. He previously held leadership positions in Francophone West Africa. He continues to lead MTN Nigeria. This dual mandate signals high confidence in his leadership. It also streamlines regional oversight.
A major shift occurs in South Africa. Ferdi Moolman steps in as CEO of MTN South Africa. Moolman previously led MTN Nigeria. His experience there was pivotal. He drove substantial growth. Charles Molapisi transitions from this role. He returns to his former position. Molapisi is now Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (GCTIO). His new mandate is crucial. He will accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. AI integration aims to unlock significant value. It will enhance network operations, customer service, and workforce productivity.
Supporting Moolman in South Africa is Yolanda Cuba. She becomes Deputy CEO and Executive Director of MTN South Africa. Cuba brings extensive group-wide experience. Her appointment ensures continuity. It also provides leadership depth. This strong duo aims to maximize returns in MTN’s home market.
The finance department sees significant changes. Tsholofelo Molefe, Group Chief Financial Officer, expands her responsibilities. She now oversees mergers and acquisitions (M&A). This consolidation is strategic. It brings capital allocation under tighter control. Investment decisions will align more closely with growth priorities. Discipline around capital deployment is paramount.
Market-facing roles are also realigned. Ebenezer Asante, formerly Senior Vice President of Markets, takes on a revised role. He is now Vice President of Ghana, Southern, and East Africa. His focus is clear. He must accelerate growth in these key operations. This portfolio includes Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and other strategic markets. Asante's leadership is critical for regional performance.
Digital infrastructure receives dedicated focus. Mazen Mroué will concentrate exclusively on this portfolio. He previously held the GCTIO role. Mroué will spearhead fibre expansion. He will also drive data center growth. Partnerships with low-earth-orbit satellite operators are key. These efforts strengthen MTN’s connectivity backbone. They ensure robust, future-ready infrastructure.
Strategy and commercial functions are integrated. Selorm Adadevoh, Group Chief Commercial Officer, expands his remit. He now includes Strategy and Transformation. This consolidation aims for unified leadership. It ensures strategic alignment with commercial objectives. Chika Ekeji, former Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, steps away from the executive committee. She will focus on scaling emerging businesses. These businesses align with MTN’s platform strategy.
Board-level transitions are also underway. Sindisiwe (Sindi) Mabaso-Koyana will chair MTN South Africa. She succeeds Mike Harper. Harper retires in the first quarter of 2026. This ensures a smooth leadership handover. Paul Norman, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, will retire end of 2026. A successor will be named by mid-2026. These appointments reflect MTN’s deep talent pool. They also ensure structured leadership evolution.
The strategic rationale is clear. These leadership changes are not merely administrative. They are fundamental to MTN’s future. The company aims for accelerated strategy execution beyond 2025. It targets greater value creation for all stakeholders. The focus on AI, digital infrastructure, and specific regional growth underscores this ambition. MTN is adapting to dynamic market landscapes. Geopolitical shifts, macroeconomic pressures, and technological advancements demand agility.
MTN's Ambition 2025 strategy is evolving. The company emphasizes core platforms. Connectivity remains foundational. Fintech, with its mobile money solutions, drives financial inclusion. Digital infrastructure powers the future economy. These three areas form the bedrock of MTN's competitive advantage. The leadership changes directly support these strategic pillars.
The appointments highlight internal talent. MTN nurtures a deep pool of experienced executives. This allows for seamless transitions. It also enables strategic rotation. Executives with proven track records assume new, challenging roles. This internal mobility strengthens corporate resilience. It fosters a culture of continuous development.
Ultimately, MTN is refining its operational model. The goal is efficiency and innovation. Empowering key executives with expanded mandates promotes ownership. It encourages aggressive market pursuit. Toriola’s dual role amplifies focus on crucial Francophone markets. Moolman’s return to South Africa signals renewed domestic vigor. Molapisi’s AI mandate positions MTN at technology’s cutting edge. These are deliberate, calculated moves. They are designed to secure MTN’s position. The company seeks to remain Africa’s telecommunications leader.
The reshuffle demonstrates proactive management. MTN is not merely reacting to market conditions. It is actively shaping its future. The emphasis on AI adoption is forward-looking. Investment in digital infrastructure is foundational. Strengthening regional leadership is critical for market share. These actions underscore a commitment to long-term growth. MTN is building a robust, agile organization. It is prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead. The new leadership team is tasked with delivering on these ambitious goals. Their success will define MTN’s trajectory for the next decade.
MTN Group announces a profound executive reshuffle. This bold move positions the telecommunications giant for its next growth phase. The changes target accelerated strategy execution. They also seek deeper value creation for stakeholders. MTN refines its Ambition 2025 strategy. The core priorities remain relevant. The focus sharpens on three platforms: connectivity, fintech, and digital infrastructure. These are pillars of future success.
Leadership changes are extensive. Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, assumes an additional critical role. He becomes Vice President of Francophone Africa. This places him at the heart of MTN’s continental growth. Toriola oversees key markets. These include Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville. His appointment leverages past regional experience. He previously held leadership positions in Francophone West Africa. He continues to lead MTN Nigeria. This dual mandate signals high confidence in his leadership. It also streamlines regional oversight.
A major shift occurs in South Africa. Ferdi Moolman steps in as CEO of MTN South Africa. Moolman previously led MTN Nigeria. His experience there was pivotal. He drove substantial growth. Charles Molapisi transitions from this role. He returns to his former position. Molapisi is now Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (GCTIO). His new mandate is crucial. He will accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. AI integration aims to unlock significant value. It will enhance network operations, customer service, and workforce productivity.
Supporting Moolman in South Africa is Yolanda Cuba. She becomes Deputy CEO and Executive Director of MTN South Africa. Cuba brings extensive group-wide experience. Her appointment ensures continuity. It also provides leadership depth. This strong duo aims to maximize returns in MTN’s home market.
The finance department sees significant changes. Tsholofelo Molefe, Group Chief Financial Officer, expands her responsibilities. She now oversees mergers and acquisitions (M&A). This consolidation is strategic. It brings capital allocation under tighter control. Investment decisions will align more closely with growth priorities. Discipline around capital deployment is paramount.
Market-facing roles are also realigned. Ebenezer Asante, formerly Senior Vice President of Markets, takes on a revised role. He is now Vice President of Ghana, Southern, and East Africa. His focus is clear. He must accelerate growth in these key operations. This portfolio includes Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and other strategic markets. Asante's leadership is critical for regional performance.
Digital infrastructure receives dedicated focus. Mazen Mroué will concentrate exclusively on this portfolio. He previously held the GCTIO role. Mroué will spearhead fibre expansion. He will also drive data center growth. Partnerships with low-earth-orbit satellite operators are key. These efforts strengthen MTN’s connectivity backbone. They ensure robust, future-ready infrastructure.
Strategy and commercial functions are integrated. Selorm Adadevoh, Group Chief Commercial Officer, expands his remit. He now includes Strategy and Transformation. This consolidation aims for unified leadership. It ensures strategic alignment with commercial objectives. Chika Ekeji, former Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, steps away from the executive committee. She will focus on scaling emerging businesses. These businesses align with MTN’s platform strategy.
Board-level transitions are also underway. Sindisiwe (Sindi) Mabaso-Koyana will chair MTN South Africa. She succeeds Mike Harper. Harper retires in the first quarter of 2026. This ensures a smooth leadership handover. Paul Norman, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, will retire end of 2026. A successor will be named by mid-2026. These appointments reflect MTN’s deep talent pool. They also ensure structured leadership evolution.
The strategic rationale is clear. These leadership changes are not merely administrative. They are fundamental to MTN’s future. The company aims for accelerated strategy execution beyond 2025. It targets greater value creation for all stakeholders. The focus on AI, digital infrastructure, and specific regional growth underscores this ambition. MTN is adapting to dynamic market landscapes. Geopolitical shifts, macroeconomic pressures, and technological advancements demand agility.
MTN's Ambition 2025 strategy is evolving. The company emphasizes core platforms. Connectivity remains foundational. Fintech, with its mobile money solutions, drives financial inclusion. Digital infrastructure powers the future economy. These three areas form the bedrock of MTN's competitive advantage. The leadership changes directly support these strategic pillars.
The appointments highlight internal talent. MTN nurtures a deep pool of experienced executives. This allows for seamless transitions. It also enables strategic rotation. Executives with proven track records assume new, challenging roles. This internal mobility strengthens corporate resilience. It fosters a culture of continuous development.
Ultimately, MTN is refining its operational model. The goal is efficiency and innovation. Empowering key executives with expanded mandates promotes ownership. It encourages aggressive market pursuit. Toriola’s dual role amplifies focus on crucial Francophone markets. Moolman’s return to South Africa signals renewed domestic vigor. Molapisi’s AI mandate positions MTN at technology’s cutting edge. These are deliberate, calculated moves. They are designed to secure MTN’s position. The company seeks to remain Africa’s telecommunications leader.
The reshuffle demonstrates proactive management. MTN is not merely reacting to market conditions. It is actively shaping its future. The emphasis on AI adoption is forward-looking. Investment in digital infrastructure is foundational. Strengthening regional leadership is critical for market share. These actions underscore a commitment to long-term growth. MTN is building a robust, agile organization. It is prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead. The new leadership team is tasked with delivering on these ambitious goals. Their success will define MTN’s trajectory for the next decade.