Software giant Microsoft's general manager (GM) for its Middle East and Africa (MEA) business has made a move to Africa's biggest mobile network MTN.

MTN Group announced on Wednesday that Mteto Nyati has been appointed as its group chief enterprise officer effective from 1 October.

Nyati was promoted as Microsoft's MEA GM in July this year after he spent six years as the software giant's South African MD.

Now, Nyati joins MTN in what the mobile operator is calling a "newly created role".

"Mteto will be a member of the Group EXCO, and take responsibility for leading the group-wide enterprise and ICT strategy, and to enhance MTN's position in the enterprise segment," says Sifiso Dabengwa, MTN group president and chief executive officer.

Prior to working at Microsoft and now MTN, Nyati had a 12 year career at IBM holding a number of senior executive roles.

Nyati also has a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Natal.