Struggling handset maker BlackBerry has named Yudi Moodley as its managing director for Africa.

Moodley is set to replace Alexandra Zagury, who was named BlackBerry South Africa & Southern Africa MD last year.

Zaguary is taking up a new role at BlackBerry as managing director for the UK and Ireland.

Meanwhile, BlackBerry says Yudi Moodley is planned to be responsible for overseeing and driving the overall business strategy and growth for BlackBerry across Africa.

Commenting on his appointment, Yudi Moodley said, "Africa is one of BlackBerry's key markets. As I take up this new role, I will continue to work with our local partners to serve all of our customers and focus on driving the ongoing adoption of the BlackBerry 10 platform as well as BBM, which is popular among Africans across the continent.”

Previously, Yudi Moodley was BlackBerry's business management director for the Middle East and Africa. Yudi Moodley joined BlackBerry in 2010.

Before joining BlackBerry, Yudi Moodley spent four years with Cell C, where his last position was as senior national retail sales manager.