MTN Group head office in Johannesburg.

MTN Group has appointed four non-executive directors to the boards of its MTN Group Fintech and Bayobab businesses.

In a statement, the company says Herman Bosman has been appointed independent chairman of MTN Group Fintech, with Nicky Newton-King and Nosipho Molope as new independent non-executive directors on the board.

Jens Schulte-Bockum has been appointed non-executive chairman of Bayobab, MTN’s next-generation services company connecting Africa with digital solutions.

“Building leading fintech and digital infrastructure platforms in Africa is a key part of the Ambition 2025 strategy. These appointments align with the focus of accelerating growth, completing the structural separations and bringing in value-adding strategic partners into the shareholder bases of these businesses over the medium-term,” says Ralph Mupita, MTN Group president and CEO.

Bosman has been appointed as the chairman of the MTN Group Fintech board of directors, effective 1 July, 2024.

MTN notes that he brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the board, having previously served as the CEO of Rand Merchant Investment Holdings and RMB Holdings.

He holds B.Com and LLM from the University of Johannesburg and is a chartered financial analyst, at AIMR, US.

According to MTN, his understanding of the financial services industry and strategic acumen will be invaluable in guiding MTN’s fintech strategy and operations.

Newton-King, who also serves as an independent non-executive director for MTN Group, joins the MTN Group Fintech Board as a member, effective 1 September 2024.

A former CEO of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Newton-King brings extensive experience in legal, business, capital markets, banking and regulation, says the company.

Molope joins the MTN Group Fintech board, effective 1 September. MTN notes that Molope has extensive experience in MTN operations, having previously served on operating company boards across several markets, including South Africa, Cameroon, Uganda and Zambia, among others.

A former CFO of the Financial Services Board in South Africa with extensive board experience with SA listed companies, Molope will chair the Audit and Risk Committee of the Group Fintech board, MTN adds.

Schulte-Bockum, former MTN Group chief operating officer, has been appointed chairman of Bayobab, effective 1 September.

According to the telco, Schulte-Bockum brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of digital infrastructure businesses across Europe and Africa. He has been a non-executive director of Bayobab since 2021.

“The MTN Group is committed to fostering innovation and expanding its fintech services to enhance the lives of millions of people across Africa. The addition of these esteemed professionals as directors of these boards will further strengthen MTN’s position as leading in digital solutions for Africa’s progress,” MTN concludes.