MTN Group has announced a major leadership shake-up as part of its strategic realignment for 2025, unveiling new executive appointments that will take effect from 1 November 2025. Among the most significant changes is the expanded role of Karl Toriola, who will now serve as Vice President (VP) of Francophone Africa while continuing as CEO of MTN Nigeria.
Expanded Responsibilities
In his new dual role, Toriola will oversee MTN operations in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville, in addition to leading Nigeria, the company’s largest and most profitable market. This expanded portfolio reflects MTN’s confidence in his leadership and deep understanding of African markets.
Toriola, who has been CEO of MTN Nigeria since 2021, is credited with driving strong growth in the face of regulatory pressures, currency volatility, and infrastructure challenges. His ability to navigate complex markets and deliver value has positioned him as one of MTN’s most influential executives.
Strategic Context
The leadership restructuring follows MTN’s strong financial performance in the first half of 2025, highlighted by:
- Service revenue growth of 23.2% to R105.1 billion
- Data revenue rising by 36.5%
- Fintech revenue increasing by 37.3%
- Basic EPS rebounding by 231.8% to 539 cents
- Headline EPS (HEPS) surging by 352.0% to 645 cents
These results underscore MTN’s ambition to strengthen its position not only in South Africa and Nigeria but also in other high-growth regions, including Francophone Africa.
Positioning for Growth in Francophone Africa
Francophone Africa represents a key growth corridor for MTN, with markets such as Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon showing increasing demand for mobile data, fintech, and digital services. Toriola’s track record in scaling Nigeria’s operations makes him well-suited to replicate similar successes across these markets.
The company highlighted that his leadership will be instrumental in driving synergies across Anglophone and Francophone operations, improving efficiency, and accelerating digital and fintech adoption.
Leadership Realignment at MTN
Toriola’s expanded role is part of a wider reshuffle at MTN Group, which includes:
- Ferdi Moolman appointed CEO of MTN South Africa
- Charles Molapisi returning as Group Chief Technology & Information Officer
- Selorm Adadevoh taking on Strategy & Transformation alongside Commercial
- Mazen Mroué leading MTN’s fibre and data centre expansion
MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita emphasized that the leadership realignment positions MTN for “the next phase of growth,” as the company deepens its push into fintech, AI, and digital infrastructure.
Outlook
For Karl Toriola, this appointment cements his status as a central figure in MTN’s long-term strategy. Managing Nigeria alongside key Francophone markets gives him a unique platform to shape MTN’s future in West and Central Africa.
As MTN continues to expand beyond telecoms into digital and fintech ecosystems, Toriola’s leadership will be pivotal in ensuring the Group captures opportunities in two of its most strategically important regions.
