MTN Group has announced a significant leadership expansion as Dr. Karl Olutokun Toriola, the current CEO of MTN Nigeria, assumes an additional role as Vice President of Francophone Africa effective November 1, 2025. In this new capacity, Toriola will oversee operations in key French-speaking markets including Senegal, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire. The decision reflects MTN’s broader ambition to strengthen its footprint in Francophone Africa and accelerate execution of its strategic growth plans across the continent.
Toriola brings over two decades of leadership experience in the telecommunications industry, much of it within MTN’s ecosystem. His career trajectory includes senior roles such as CEO of MTN CONGO Brazzaville, CEO of MTN Cameroon, and Vice President for MTN’s West and Central Africa region, before his appointment as CEO of MTN Nigeria in 2020. His extensive operational expertise and regional familiarity are expected to play a pivotal role in driving MTN’s next phase of expansion.
The appointment underscores MTN Group’s confidence in Nigerian leadership and highlights Nigeria’s growing influence within the company’s pan-African strategy. While Toriola will continue in his capacity as CEO of MTN Nigeria, the dual mandate aligns with MTN’s vision of unified leadership across high-growth markets. His expanded role marks a strategic step towards optimizing leadership structures to deliver stronger value creation in the medium term.
Alongside Toriola’s new appointment, MTN Group has announced a broader leadership reshuffle. Charles Molapisi will step down as CEO of MTN South Africa to return as Group Chief Technology and Information Officer, focusing on AI integration. Ferdi Moolman will take over MTN South Africa, bringing his past experience as CEO of MTN Nigeria. Additionally, Group CFO Tsholofelo Molefe CA(SA)’s role now extends to cover mergers and acquisitions, while Ebenezer Asante assumes wider responsibilities across markets including Ghana, Uganda, and Rwanda. These leadership shifts signal MTN’s commitment to preparing for its post-2025 strategy and driving sustainable growth across diverse markets.
