In an inspiring move that reflects both confidence and ambition, MTN Group has expanded the responsibilities of Dr. Karl Olutokun Toriola, currently the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria. Starting 1 November 2025, Dr. Toriola will assume the additional position of Vice President, Francophone Africa, while continuing to lead MTN Nigeria. His new regional remit covers operations in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville — a compact but strategically vital cluster of markets.
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Balancing Dual Leadership Roles with Proven Experience
It’s no small feat for one individual to manage two major roles simultaneously — yet MTN clearly both trusts and values Karl Toriola’s capability. Since taking over as CEO of MTN Nigeria in 2021, he has delivered stellar results, guiding the company through Nigeria’s economic complexities, currency swings, and infrastructure headwinds.
Even before his current post, Dr. Toriola had already gained deep experience across Francophone and Anglophone markets. He previously served as MTN Group’s Vice President for West and Central Africa and as CEO of both MTN Cameroon and MTN Congo Brazzaville. This appointment, therefore, is not just a promotion but a return to familiar territory, now backed by years of Nigerian leadership experience.
Strategic Impetus: Linking Growth with Execution
MTN Group’s decision to entrust Dr. Toriola with the Francophone region underscores a broader strategy to foster cohesion and performance across its diverse African footprint. The company’s “Ambition 2025” strategy focuses on three core pillars — Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastruct.
The timing makes strategic sense. MTN Nigeria has consistently outpaced other markets in growth, while some previously stronger regions, like South Africa, have lagged. The move suggests a desire to replicate Nigeria’s dynamism in the Francophone zone.
Broader Leadership Shuffle Across MTN Group
Dr. Toriola’s expanded purview is part of a wider reshuffle at the MTN Group level. Here are some of the notable changes:
- Ferdi Moolman, currently MTN Group Chief Risk Officer and formerly CEO of MTN Nigeria, will step down from the MTN Nigeria board on 31 October 2025 to become CEO of MTN South Africa from 1 November 2025.
- Charles Molapisi returns to the role of Group Chief Technology & Information Officer, now with a sharpened focus on accelerating AI adoption across the Group.
- Yolanda Cuba assumes the role of Deputy CEO and Executive Director of MTN South Africa.
- Ebenezer Asante will lead operations in Ghana, as well as Southern and East Africa, covering nine countries.
- Tsholofelo Molefe, the Group CFO, takes on expanded responsibilities for M&A.
- Mazen Mroué shifts to focus entirely on Digital Infrastructure, including fibre rollout and data centre expansion.
- Selorm Adadevoh is now Group Chief Commercial, Strategy & Transformation Officer.
- In South Africa, Sindisiwe Mabaso-Koyana is set to succeed Mike Harper as Chairperson of MTN SA in Q1 2026.
This reshuffle is clearly crafted to fortify MTN’s leadership pipeline and align roles with evolving strategic priorities.
What Lies Ahead for Toriola and MTN
With his dual leadership mantle, Dr. Karl Toriola is now a pivotal actor in MTN’s continental trajectory. Here are key expectations as he prepares to spearhead growth across these critical markets:
- Cross-market Synergies: Leveraging best practices from Nigeria — particularly in fintech innovation and network expansion — to foster closer collaboration in Francophone Africa.
- Unified Strategy Execution: Ensuring that the “Ambition 2025” platforms — Connectivity, Fintech, Digital Infrastructure — are implemented consistently across both Anglophone and Francophone markets.
- Enhanced Digitisation: Accelerating digital adoption in Francophone markets, picking up the pace on mobile broadband, MoMo services, and ecosystem partnerships.
- Operational Efficiency: Streamlining systems, processes, and organisational structures to translate size into agility and profitability.
At its heart, this move signals MTN’s belief that strong, experience-led leadership across its largest regional clusters is vital to sustaining growth and outpacing competitive pressures
Key Takeaways
MTN Nigeria CEO Dr. Karl Toriola has been appointed Vice President, Francophone Africa — effective 1 November 2025 — while retaining his role as CEO, MTN Nigeria. In this enhanced dual capacity, he will oversee operations in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville. This move piggybacks on his deep regional experience and stellar performance in Nigeria, aiming to link growth strategies across Anglophone and Francophone Africa.
The leadership changes align with MTN’s “Ambition 2025” strategic pillars and are set within a broader executive revamp that includes new assignments for Ferdi Moolman, Charles Molapisi, Yolanda Cuba, Ebenezer Asante, Tsholofelo Molefe, Mazen Mroué, Selorm Adadevoh — and future governance changes in MTN South Africa.
By consolidating leadership in this manner, MTN is positioning itself to deliver seamless execution across core markets, harnessing Toriola’s proven drive to spearhead the company’s next wave of growth.
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