MTN appoints Ralph Mupita as new Group CEO

In line with its policy of appointing internal candidates, MTN Group Limited has appointed Ralph Mupita as Chief Executive Officer, to pilot the company’s operations in Africa.

According to a statement by the company, Mupita will take over from Rob Shuter on September 1, 2020.

Speaking on the appointment,  MTN Group chairman Mr Mcebisi Jonas said the choice of Mupita had come after a rigorous and extensive search process.

“We are pleased to have appointed someone of Ralph’s calibre, experience and ability to fill the group president and CEO position. Ralph’s experience as the group CFO, strong knowledge of our businesses and markets, as well as successful background in financial services, M&A and emerging markets, place him in an excellent position to lead the growth and sustainability of the business going forward.”

In the meantime, Shuter will remain with the company until the end of his fixed-term contract in early 2021. Afterwards, he will leave to join BT Group Plc as head of the Brutish operators’ enterprise division.

Note that MTN Group’s Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko, had named Rob Shuter as CEO in 2016, after pulling him from Vodafone Group Plc. Shuter’s key task at the time was to revive MTN, following clashes with the authorities over undocumented subscribers in Nigeria, which had caused the company a $1 billion fine.

Mupita, on the other hand, became MTN’s Chief Financial Officer in 2017, after serving almost two decades at South African insurer Old Mutual Ltd.

As CFO, the Harvard Business School graduate has helped lead the execution of a strategy that has seen MTN dispose some of its assets like telecom towers, whilst concentrating on fewer markets.

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In his remarks, Ralph expressed his enthusiasm to take up the position and work with and for the stakeholders.

“MTN Group is well positioned to take advantage of the digital acceleration shifts and opportunities across our markets, and we are well placed to play an important and leading role in digital and financial inclusion of the African continent, working with our stakeholders and partners.”

The statement by the company also informed stakeholders that an announcement will be made by September, regarding the new group’s chief financial officer.