MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola, has been given expanded responsibilities as part of a sweeping leadership shake-up at Africa’s largest telecom operator.
Effective 1 November 2025, Toriola will combine his current role with that of vice president for Francophone Africa, a move that underscores MTN’s push to strengthen its regional management structure and streamline strategy execution beyond its Ambition 2025 plan.
The reshuffle, announced by MTN Group, comes after a review of the company’s ongoing strategic framework against the backdrop of evolving global, macroeconomic and technology shifts.
MTN explained that the appointments were designed to strengthen strategy execution and delivery as it pivots towards a sharper focus on connectivity, financial technology, and digital infrastructure as its three growth platforms post-2025.
Toriola’s expanded brief places him at the helm of MTN’s operations in Nigeria, its largest and most profitable market, while also overseeing its portfolio in Francophone Africa, a region with significant growth potential but also regulatory and economic complexities.
Read also: MTN’s cash from operations surges to N956bn, highest in 10-yrs
The dual role highlights MTN’s confidence in his leadership, following a tenure that has seen MTN Nigeria accelerate network investments, strengthen its fintech play, and launch critical infrastructure such as the Tier III Dabengwa Data Centre earlier this year.
The Nigerian CEO is one of several executives affected by the changes. MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi will return to his previous role as group chief technology and information officer (CTIO), with current group chief risk officer Ferdi Moolman stepping in to lead the South African unit. Yolanda Cuba, currently VP for Southern and East Africa, has been appointed xeputy CEO of MTN South Africa.
At the group level, CFO Tsholofelo Molefe will now oversee mergers and acquisitions in addition to finance, while chief commercial officer Selorm Adadevoh takes on strategy and transformation responsibilities. Former CSO Chika Ekeji will focus on emerging business opportunities. Mazen Mroue, who previously held both CTIO and digital infrastructure roles, will now concentrate on the latter with an expanded mandate.
MTN also announced that Ebenezer Asante will become VP for Ghana, Southern and East Africa, while Ismail Jaroudi, current VP for the Middle East and North Africa, shifts to VP of special projects alongside his role as CEO of MTN Dubai.
The group noted that while the Ambition 2025 strategy remains broadly relevant, the realignment reflects the need to adapt to evolving geopolitical, macroeconomic and technology landscapes and sharpen execution for long-term growth.
For Toriola, the new continental brief cements his position as one of MTN’s most influential executives and places him at the centre of the group’s ambitions in both Anglophone and Francophone Africa.
