On August 18, 2025, MTN Group—a telecommunications giant with a vast footprint across Africa—unveiled a sweeping reorganization aimed at driving expansion and adapting to a rapidly evolving business environment. The announcement, which comes as part of a review of the company’s Ambition 2025 strategy, signals a renewed focus on digital infrastructure, fintech, and connectivity, while also ushering in a raft of leadership changes at both executive and board levels.
At the heart of these changes is Karl Toriola, the highly regarded CEO of MTN Nigeria since 2021. Effective November 1, 2025, Toriola will take on the additional role of Vice President of Francophone Africa—a region that includes key markets such as Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville. Notably, he will retain his responsibilities as CEO of MTN Nigeria, the company’s largest and most profitable subsidiary. For Toriola, this marks a return to familiar territory, as he previously held senior roles across Francophone West Africa before rising to lead Nigeria’s operations.
The timing of this leadership shuffle is no accident. According to BrandSpur, MTN’s board determined that the core priorities of Ambition 2025 remain “relevant and appropriate,” but the company is recalibrating its approach in light of shifting macroeconomic, technological, and geopolitical realities. The group intends to double down on three main platforms: digital infrastructure, fintech, and connectivity, to better serve its stakeholders and maintain its competitive edge.
Ralph Mupita, MTN Group’s CEO and President, emphasized the rationale behind the changes in a statement released on August 18, 2025. “These leadership changes illustrate the depth of talent and experience we have across the Group,” he said. “The changes will support the accelerated execution of our strategy beyond 2025 as well as greater value creation for stakeholders over the medium term.”
But Toriola’s expanded portfolio isn’t the only headline-worthy shift. The company’s finance division is also seeing significant restructuring. Tsholofelo Molefe, who has served as Group Chief Financial Officer, will now head up mergers and acquisitions (M&A), combining capital allocation responsibilities to ensure investment decisions align with MTN’s long-term growth objectives. This move, as reported by BrandSpur, is designed to bring greater discipline to capital deployment, with M&A now firmly under the finance umbrella.
Meanwhile, Ebenezer Asante, formerly the Senior Vice President of Markets, assumes the role of Vice President of Ghana and Southern & East Africa. He will oversee operations in Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, South Sudan, Sudan, Liberia, and joint ventures in Botswana and Eswatini. This adjustment aims to strengthen the group’s regional contributions and accelerate growth across diverse markets.
In South Africa, leadership is also changing hands. Ferdi Moolman, a former CEO of MTN Nigeria and the current Group Chief Risk Officer, has been named CEO of MTN South Africa. He takes over from Charles Molapisi, who steered the business through a period marked by power outages and network resilience challenges. Supporting Moolman in his new role is Yolanda Cuba, who has been appointed Deputy CEO and Executive Director of MTN South Africa. The duo is expected to provide continuity and depth of leadership during a critical phase for the business.
Molapisi, for his part, will return to his previous role as Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (GCTIO), where he is tasked with accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence across MTN’s operations. This move underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
On the infrastructure front, Mazen Mroué is set to focus exclusively on the Digital Infrastructure portfolio. His mandate includes spearheading fibre and data centre expansion, as well as forging partnerships with low-Earth-orbit satellite operators. By concentrating these efforts, MTN hopes to reinforce its connectivity backbone and support the digital transformation of its markets.
Strategic oversight is also getting a boost. Selorm Adadevoh will now combine his role as Group Chief Commercial Officer with responsibilities for Strategy and Transformation, unifying these critical functions under a single leadership structure. Meanwhile, Chika Ekeji, the current Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, will step down from the executive committee to focus on developing new ventures that align with MTN’s platform strategy.
Looking ahead, MTN is preparing for several board-level transitions. Sindisiwe Mabaso-Koyana is set to become MTN South Africa’s chairperson after Mike Harper retires in the first quarter of 2026. Additionally, Paul Norman, the Group Chief Human Resources Officer, will step down at the end of 2026, with his successor to be announced by mid-year. According to the company, these moves are designed to ensure a seamless execution of strategy beyond 2025 and demonstrate the depth of its talent pool.
While MTN’s internal reorganization is grabbing headlines, the company is also making waves on the ground in Africa’s emerging markets. On the same day as its leadership announcement, MTN, in partnership with Digitel, pledged to expand mobile money services across South Sudan. The commitment was formalized during meetings with the Bank of South Sudan’s Department of Communication and Public Relations, as reported by TechAfrica News.
This initiative is more than just a business move; it’s a response to the South Sudanese government’s push for a more efficient and sustainable digital payment system. By reducing reliance on cash payments and addressing persistent liquidity shortages, the expansion of mobile money is poised to transform the country’s financial landscape.
De Chan Awuol, Executive Vice President of Digitel Holdings, was unequivocal in his support for the project. He expressed his company’s readiness to promote public awareness about the benefits of digital banking and praised the central bank for its leadership. Harrison Daka, Senior Manager for Products and Services at MTN’s MoMo, echoed this sentiment, assuring the Bank of South Sudan of MTN’s commitment to broadening its operations. Daka encouraged both traders and consumers to embrace mobile money, noting that widespread adoption could help ease the nation’s cash shortage issues.
The significance of this expansion cannot be overstated. As TechAfrica News highlights, it is considered a crucial step toward improving access to financial services for a wider population and is expected to lay a solid foundation for digital transformation in South Sudan. The move aligns squarely with MTN’s renewed focus on fintech and connectivity, as outlined in its Ambition 2025 strategy.
With these sweeping changes and ambitious initiatives, MTN is positioning itself at the forefront of Africa’s digital revolution. From boardroom reshuffles to boots-on-the-ground innovation, the company is betting big on a future where digital infrastructure, financial inclusion, and seamless connectivity are within reach for millions across the continent.
As the dust settles on these announcements, all eyes will be on MTN’s leadership team to see if this new chapter delivers on its promise of accelerated growth, innovation, and value creation for stakeholders far and wide.
