MTN Group, a leading telecom giant in Africa, has announced significant leadership changes to advance its Ambition 2025 strategy, aimed at enhancing operational execution and driving digital and financial inclusion across its markets. These changes, effective in early 2025, align with MTN’s vision of maintaining its leadership in the African telecommunications space while fostering innovation and operational growth.
Key Leadership Appointments and Transitions
Mitwa Ng’ambi to Lead MTN Côte d’Ivoire
- New Role: CEO of MTN Côte d’Ivoire (effective 1 March 2025).
- Background: Mitwa Ng’ambi, currently CEO of MTN Cameroon, will succeed Djibril Ouattara, who is taking early retirement.
- Achievements:
- Successfully led MTN Cameroon since September 2022.
- Board Chairperson of Mobile Money Corporation in Cameroon, spearheading fintech growth.
- Former CEO of MTN Rwanda, where she renewed the company’s license, drove growth, and oversaw its listing on the Rwanda Stock Exchange.
- Previous leadership roles at Airtel Tigo (Ghana) and Tigo (Senegal).
Mitwa’s extensive experience and proven track record make her well-equipped to oversee MTN Côte d’Ivoire’s growth and turnaround initiatives.
Wanda Matandela Appointed CEO of MTN Cameroon
- New Role: CEO of MTN Cameroon (effective 1 March 2025).
- Background: Wanda Matandela, currently Chief Commercial Operations Officer at MTN South Africa, brings over 20 years of professional experience, including 13 years in telecommunications.
- Achievements:
- Joined MTN in 2018 as Chief Enterprise Business Officer, driving a successful turnaround.
- Strategic leadership across FMCG and financial services sectors.
- Board member of Supersonic (Pty) Ltd and MTN Rwanda PLC.
Wanda’s commercial expertise and stakeholder management skills position him as a strong successor to Mitwa in Cameroon.
Mazen Mroue Assumes Dual Role in Technology and Infrastructure
- New Role: CEO of Digital Infrastructure (Infraco) and MTN Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (effective 1 January 2025).
- Scope:
- Oversee mobility and fibre businesses under Bayobab.
- Lead the execution of MTN’s data centre strategy.
- Position MTN for AI development across Africa.
- Background: A veteran of MTN since 1998, Mazen has held senior positions across Africa and the Middle East, including CEO and COO roles.
- Impact: Mazen’s extensive technical and operational expertise will drive MTN’s growth in digital infrastructure and position the group as a leader in AI innovation.
Departure of Frédéric Schepens
- Current Role: CEO of Bayobab.
- Exit: Frédéric Schepens leaves the group with immediate effect.
- Acknowledgment: MTN Group appreciates Frédéric’s contributions and wishes him success in his future endeavours.
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Implications for MTN’s Ambition 2025
Strengthening Leadership Bench-Strength
These appointments reflect MTN’s robust internal succession planning, ensuring continuity in leadership while leveraging the expertise of seasoned professionals to drive strategic priorities.
Focus on Digital and Financial Inclusion
With leaders like Mazen Mroue spearheading digital infrastructure, MTN aims to expand its influence in mobility, fibre optics, data centres, and AI—pivotal areas for Africa’s digital transformation.
Enhancing Operational Execution
The leadership reshuffle is expected to fortify MTN’s operational excellence across key markets, ensuring seamless service delivery and customer satisfaction.
Ralph Mupita’s Vision
MTN Group President & CEO Ralph Mupita emphasized the importance of these leadership changes in achieving the Ambition 2025 objectives. He expressed confidence in the incoming team’s ability to execute the group’s strategic goals while maintaining MTN’s commitment to advancing digital and financial inclusion across African markets.
“These leadership changes underline MTN’s dedication to operational excellence and innovation, ensuring we continue to serve our markets with distinction while driving meaningful growth.”
Conclusion: A Future of Innovation and Growth
The leadership changes at MTN Group mark a critical step toward realizing its Ambition 2025 vision. With a renewed focus on digital infrastructure, financial inclusion, and operational excellence, MTN is well-positioned to remain a leader in Africa’s telecommunications landscape.
As these transitions unfold, the group’s commitment to fostering innovation and building sustainable growth across its markets remains unwavering. This new chapter promises to strengthen MTN’s position as a transformative force in Africa’s digital economy.
