MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, has been given an expanded portfolio within the MTN Group, following a major leadership reshuffle designed to fast-track the company’s “Ambition 2025” growth agenda.
Starting November 1, 2025, Toriola will combine his current role as CEO of MTN Nigeria with new responsibilities as Vice President for Francophone Africa. In this capacity, he will oversee MTN’s operations in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville, drawing on his extensive experience across the region.
“This appointment reflects his strong track record within the Group and positions him to drive further growth across two of our most important clusters,” MTN said in its statement on Monday.
Broader leadership realignment
The shake-up is part of MTN’s push to streamline its leadership around three strategic pillars — Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure — to strengthen competitiveness and unlock long-term value.
MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita explained that the structural changes will “accelerate delivery of our Ambition 2025 objectives while ensuring greater value creation for shareholders and customers.”
Among other changes, Ferdi Moolman, the Group’s Chief Risk Officer and former head of MTN Nigeria, will take the helm at MTN South Africa, succeeding Charles Molapisi. Molapisi will return to his former position as Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (GCTIO), now with a broader focus on driving AI adoption across the business.
MTN South Africa also named Yolanda Cuba as Deputy CEO and Executive Director, while Ebenezer Asante, currently Senior Vice President for Markets, will assume responsibility for operations in Ghana as well as Southern and Eastern Africa, spanning nine countries.
Capital and infrastructure priorities
The reorganisation also touches on finance and infrastructure. Group CFO Tsholofelo Molefe will now take on oversight of mergers and acquisitions, while Mazen Mroué will focus exclusively on Digital Infrastructure — including fibre rollout, data centres, and satellite partnerships.
To consolidate strategy and execution, Selorm Adadevoh becomes Group Chief Commercial, Strategy and Transformation Officer, while Chika Ekeji exits the executive committee to lead MTN’s emerging businesses portfolio.
In South Africa, MTN further announced that Sindisiwe Mabaso-Koyana will replace Mike Harper as Chair of MTN SA in Q1 2026, as Harper prepares for retirement after a decade of service.
Why this matters
Toriola is no stranger to MTN’s Francophone markets. Before being appointed CEO of MTN Nigeria in 2021, he had served as VP for West and Central Africa, CEO of MTN Cameroon, and Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria. Since joining MTN in 2006, he has held several senior roles with oversight across 16 subsidiaries and has sat on multiple MTN boards, including MTN Nigeria.