MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola, has been handed an expanded role within the MTN Group as part of a major executive reshuffle designed to fast-track the telecom giant’s “Ambition 2025” strategy.
Effective November 1, 2025, Toriola will assume additional responsibilities as Vice President of Francophone Africa, overseeing operations in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville while retaining his leadership role as CEO of MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecom operator.
According to the Group, “He will assume this revised role as CEO of MTN Nigeria and VP of Francophone Africa, given his prior extensive experience in the role.” The move underscores MTN’s commitment to consolidating growth across key African markets and leveraging Toriola’s regional expertise.
Group-wide Leadership Reshuffle at MTN
The executive realignment is part of MTN’s broader efforts to streamline its operations around three strategic growth platforms:
- Connectivity
- Fintech
- Digital Infrastructure
MTN Group President and CEO, Ralph Mupita, said the changes will “support the accelerated execution of our strategy as well as greater value creation for stakeholders over the medium term.”
As part of the shake-up:
- Ferdi Moolman, MTN Group Chief Risk Officer and former CEO of MTN Nigeria, will become CEO of MTN South Africa, succeeding Charles Molapisi.
- Molapisi will revert to his previous role as Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (GCTIO), with an expanded focus on accelerating AI adoption across MTN operations.
- Yolanda Cuba was appointed as Deputy CEO and Executive Director of MTN South Africa.
- Ebenezer Asante, Senior VP of Markets, will now head Ghana and Southern & East Africa operations, covering nine countries.
Capital Allocation and Infrastructure Expansion
MTN also announced further structural adjustments to strengthen growth:
- Tsholofelo Molefe, Group CFO, will expand her responsibilities to include mergers and acquisitions.
- Mazen Mroué will focus solely on Digital Infrastructure, overseeing fibre rollout, data centre expansion, and partnerships with satellite operators.
- Selorm Adadevoh has been appointed as Group Chief Commercial, Strategy and Transformation Officer.
- Chika Ekeji will step down from the executive committee to drive emerging businesses.
Governance Transition in South Africa
Looking ahead, MTN also announced a governance transition at its South African subsidiary. Sindisiwe Mabaso-Koyana will succeed Mike Harper as Chairperson of MTN South Africa in Q1 2026, following Harper’s planned retirement after a decade of leadership.
What This Means for MTN’s Ambition 2025
The reshuffle is seen as a strategic step to:
- Strengthen regional leadership across Africa
- Expand telecom and fintech services
- Accelerate AI and digital transformation
- Enhance stakeholder value creation
With Karl Toriola’s expanded mandate, MTN aims to consolidate its dominance in Nigeria while deepening its presence across Francophone Africa, positioning itself as a key driver of Africa’s digital economy.
