MTN Expands Karl Toriola’s Role to Drive Francophone Africa Growth

MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, has been handed an expanded mandate within the MTN Group as part of a major leadership reshuffle designed to fast-track the execution of the telecoms giant’s “Ambition 2025” strategy.

Effective November 1, 2025, Toriola will assume additional responsibilities as Vice President for Francophone Africa, overseeing operations in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville, while continuing as CEO of MTN Nigeria, the Group’s largest and most profitable subsidiary.

The Group, in a statement on Monday, described the appointment as a strategic move to leverage Toriola’s deep operational experience across the region. “He will assume this revised role as CEO of MTN Nigeria and VP of Francophone Africa, given his prior extensive experience in the role,” it said.

The reshuffle reflects MTN’s renewed push to consolidate growth across key African markets, aligning its leadership around three critical platforms: Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure. 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 new structure, former MTN Nigeria CEO and current Group Chief Risk Officer, Ferdi Moolman, has been appointed CEO of MTN South Africa, replacing Charles Molapisi, who reverts to his former role as Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (GCTIO) with an expanded brief to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption across the business.

In addition, Yolanda Cuba has been named Deputy CEO and Executive Director of MTN South Africa, while Ebenezer Asante, currently Senior Vice President of Markets, will take charge of Ghana and Southern and East Africa operations spanning nine countries.

Other leadership adjustments include Group CFO, Tsholofelo Molefe, taking on expanded responsibility for mergers and acquisitions, while Mazen Mroué will focus on Digital Infrastructure, including fibre rollout, data centre expansion, and satellite partnerships. Selorm Adadevoh will now serve as Group Chief Commercial, Strategy and Transformation Officer, while Chika Ekeji will step down from the executive committee to lead emerging businesses.

MTN also announced a governance transition at its South African unit, where Sindisiwe Mabaso-Koyana will succeed Mike Harper as Chairperson of MTN SA in the first quarter of 2026, following Harper’s planned retirement.

Toriola brings a wealth of experience to his expanded role, having previously served as Vice President for West and Central Africa and held senior positions across the Group, including CEO of MTN Cameroon and Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria. Since joining MTN in 2006, he has had oversight responsibility for 16 subsidiaries and has served on multiple MTN boards, including MTN Nigeria.