MTN Group has announced a series of senior leadership appointments across its African operations, naming new executives for key positions within the Group and its operating companies in Côte d’Ivoire and Zambia as part of its long-term succession planning strategy.
The telecommunications giant confirmed that Mitwa Ng’ambi, currently Chief Executive Officer of MTN Côte d’Ivoire, has been appointed Group Chief People and Culture Officer and will join MTN’s Group Executive Committee no later than September 1, 2026. She succeeds Paul Norman, who is set to retire later this year after nearly three decades with the company.
According to MTN Group President and CEO, Ralph Mupita, Ng’ambi’s appointment comes at a crucial stage in the company’s growth journey under its recently launched Ambition 2030 strategy.
Ng’ambi brings more than 15 years of leadership experience in the African telecommunications sector, having worked across several markets including Zambia, Benin, Senegal, Ghana, Rwanda, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire. Over the course of her career, she has held senior leadership positions across several markets, including Zambia, Benin, Senegal, Ghana, Rwanda, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Before leading MTN Côte d’Ivoire, she served as Chief Executive Officer of MTN Cameroon, where she was recognized as MTN Group’s CEO of the Year for 2023 following strong business and customer experience performance.
She also previously served as CEO of MTN Rwanda, where she oversaw the company’s listing on the Rwanda Stock Exchange and the establishment of its fintech subsidiary. Prior to that, she held CEO roles at AirtelTigo Ghana and Tigo Senegal, building a reputation for driving business transformation and growth across competitive markets.
A software engineer by training, Ng’ambi has developed expertise spanning technology, marketing, digital transformation, mobile financial services, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate strategy. Throughout her career, she has led business turnarounds, organizational restructuring, market repositioning initiatives, merger integrations, and digital and AI-driven transformation programs.
The leadership changes also trigger a reshuffle within MTN’s operating companies. Ng’ambi’s departure from MTN Côte d’Ivoire will see Abbad Reda, currently CEO of MTN Zambia, take over the role. Meanwhile, Reda will be succeeded in Zambia by Larry Annetts, whose most recent position was Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Commercial Officer on secondment to Irancell.
All appointments are expected to take effect no later than September 1, 2026.
MTN said the appointments reflect the depth of talent within the organization and reinforce the effectiveness of its internal succession planning framework. The company recently unveiled its Ambition 2030 strategy, a five-year roadmap focused on accelerating digital and financial inclusion across Africa while capitalizing on the continent’s growing connectivity opportunities.
The latest executive changes come as MTN continues to strengthen its leadership structure and position itself for sustained growth across its markets, serving millions of customers across Africa through its telecommunications and fintech businesses.
