MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola, has been handed an expanded role within the MTN Group as part of a sweeping executive reshuffle aimed at accelerating 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 position as head of Nigeria’s largest telecom operator.
“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 Group said in a statement announcing the strategic changes to its management team on Monday.
The move reflects MTN’s bid to consolidate growth across key African markets and leverage Toriola’s deep regional expertise.
MTN said the leadership realignment is part of its efforts to streamline operations around three core platforms: Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure, to drive long-term growth beyond 2025. Group President and CEO, Ralph Mupita, explained that 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 reshuffle, Ferdi Moolman, currently MTN Group Chief Risk Officer and former CEO of MTN Nigeria, will take over as CEO of MTN South Africa, succeeding Charles Molapisi. “Ferdi has held several senior roles within the Group, including CEO of MTN Nigeria from 2016 to 2021. Consequently, he will step down from the MTN Nigeria board effective 31 October 2025,” the Group stated.
Molapisi, in turn, reverts to his previous role as Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (GCTIO) with an expanded mandate to accelerate AI adoption across MTN’s operations. In South Africa, the Group also appointed Yolanda Cuba as Deputy CEO and Executive Director of MTN SA.
Meanwhile, Ebenezer Asante, Senior Vice President of Markets, will now head Ghana and Southern and East Africa operations, covering nine countries.
Other structural changes include expanded roles for Group CFO Tsholofelo Molefe, who will now also oversee mergers and acquisitions, while Mazen Mroué will focus exclusively on Digital Infrastructure projects such as fibre rollout, data centre expansion, and satellite partnerships.
To consolidate strategy and commercial operations, Selorm Adadevoh will serve as Group Chief Commercial, Strategy and Transformation Officer, while Chika Ekeji steps down from the executive committee to drive emerging businesses.
Looking ahead, MTN also announced a governance transition at its South African subsidiary. Sindisiwe Mabaso-Koyana will succeed Mike Harper as Chairperson of MTN SA in Q1 2026, following Harper’s planned retirement after a decade of leadership.
