MTN Reshuffles Leadership, Expands Karl Toriola’s Portfolio Across Africa

Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, has been assigned an expanded role within the MTN Group as Vice President for Francophone Africa. The appointment, which takes effect on November 1, 2025, will see him oversee operations in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville while retaining leadership of Nigeria’s largest telecom operator.

The move is part of a sweeping leadership realignment aimed at accelerating the group’s “Ambition 2025” strategy, which focuses on connectivity, fintech, and digital infrastructure. Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita said the changes are designed to enhance execution and drive greater value creation across MTN’s key markets.

As part of the restructuring, Ferdi Moolman, currently Group Chief Risk Officer and a former MTN Nigeria CEO, will become Chief Executive Officer of MTN South Africa, replacing Charles Molapisi. Molapisi will return to his former role as Group Chief Technology and Information Officer with an expanded focus on artificial intelligence adoption. Yolanda Cuba has been appointed Deputy CEO and Executive Director of MTN South Africa, while Ebenezer Asante will head operations in Ghana and Southern and East Africa, covering nine countries.

Other shifts include broader responsibilities for Group CFO Tsholofelo Molefe, who will now oversee mergers and acquisitions, while Mazen Mroué will focus on digital infrastructure expansion, including fibre rollout and data centres. Selorm Adadevoh has been named Group Chief Commercial, Strategy and Transformation Officer, consolidating commercial strategy across the group.

Toriola’s expanded portfolio reflects his deep experience across the continent. Before his appointment as MTN Nigeria’s CEO in 2021, he served as Vice President for West and Central Africa, CEO of MTN Cameroon, and Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria. His new dual role is expected to strengthen MTN’s growth drive across Anglophone and Francophone Africa.