MTN Group, Africa's largest telecom carrier, has tasked former MTN SA CEO Charles Molapisi with accelerating the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across its operations.
The telco announced Molapisi's new position as group chief technology and information officer (GCTIO), as the pan-African mobile operator stated its strategic objective to be 'leading digital solutions for Africa's progress'.
MTN Group, which has 298 million subscribers in 16 markets, released its interim results today, as well as strategic review and operational model modifications to assist execution and board changes at MTN SA, which resulted in Molapisi's new post.
The business stated that its board has spent several months analysing the Ambition 2025 plan and its performance.
Resultantly, as part of this assessment, it said the board also considered the evolving geopolitical, macroeconomic and technology landscapes.
“These not only present challenges for the business, but importantly they present opportunities for MTN to accelerate Africa’s digital future,” said MTN Group.
The telco went on to say: “Charles Molapisi has a strong background in network and IT and will remain on the Group Exco taking up his previous role as GCTIO. He will have additional responsibilities and focus on speeding up AI use case adoption and infusion across the business.
“We see a significant value-creation opportunity over the medium-term in the leveraging of AI across the business in domains such as network, customer operations and workforce productivity.”
Other changes mentioned by MTN Group include decoupling (GCTIO) and digital infrastructure responsibilities.
Mazen Mroué, GCTIO and CEO of Digital Infrastructure, will focus on building fibre and data centre businesses across Africa.
The company said: “As additional focus areas, Mazen will work strategically with our TowerCo partners, as well as lead network sharing opportunities across our operations to drive efficiencies. As the Digital Infrastructure platform continues to evolve, Mazen will lead the Group’s partnerships with non-terrestrial networks such as low-earth-orbit satellite operators.”
Tsholofelo Molefe, the group's CFO, will expand her responsibilities to include the M&A portfolio. Kholekile Ndamase, the current chief M&A and business development officer, will step down from the Group Exco and report to Molefe as the steward of the capital allocation framework and its implementation at the Group level.
Ismail Jaroudi, VP of Middle East and North Africa, will leave Group Exco to become VP of Special Projects in the Group President and CEO's office. His focus will be on portfolio optimisation projects.
He will also continue his role as CEO of MTN Dubai.
As senior vice president of markets, Ebenezer Asante will accelerate growth and contributions in Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, South Sudan, Sudan, Liberia, and joint ventures in Eswatini and Botswana.
He will now serve as Vice President for Ghana, Southern and East Africa (SEA).
Furthermore, the business announced that Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, will assume new responsibilities as VP of Francophone Africa, with a focus on increasing market shares in Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville.
Given his previous considerable expertise in the post, he will take on the revised role of CEO of MTN Nigeria and Vice President of Francophone Africa, according to MTN Group.
To boost growth and profits in its home market of South Africa, MTN Group announced that Ferdi Moolman, the current croup chief risk officer, will succeed Molapisi as CEO and executive director of MTN SA.
Yolanda Cuba, currently VP for SEA, will stand down from the Group Executive Committee to become the deputy CEO and executive director of MTN SA.
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