MTN Uganda has appointed Sylvia Mulinge, who served Safaricom as Chief Consumer Business Officer. Mulinge, who will play the role of Chief Executive of operations, will help the operator grow its regional business and help sustain its position.
In a statement from MTN group, “Sylvia Mulinge … a seasoned executive, she brings with her a passion for transforming customers’ lives using technology.”
She is to replace Wim Vanhelleputte, who has been promoted to a regional role as operating executive for the WECA Markets of Liberia, Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, and Congo-Brazzaville within the MTN Group.
Sylvia Mulinge played a key role while at Safaricom. Since joining the mobile service provider in 2006, she has steadily risen up the career ladder to become a top executive in the company.
According to Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO, “Ms. Mulinge played a pivotal role in the establishment of two key businesses in Safaricom: Enterprise and Fixed data.”
She was acknowledged for her contribution to the company’s strong market position, based on sales, earnings and market value. She was also instrumental in establishing the company’s enterprise and fixed data silos.
Mulinge joined Safaricom in 2006 and has held various senior roles including General Manager Enterprise Business Unit and Director Consumer Business Unit.
In 2014, she appeared on Business Daily Africa’s Top 40 Women under 40. She also appeared in the second publication of 100 Most Influential African Women in 2020 by Avance Media. Sylvia has also been acknowledged as a Young Global Leader at the 2015 World Economic Forum, and Top 25 Women in Digital in Kenya by Digitalk.
In July 2021, she took up the role of Chief Consumer Business Officer.
Charles Mbire, Chairman of the Board of Directors at MTN, said, “I would like to welcome Sylvia Mulinge to MTN Uganda. I believe that her experience will be beneficial to MTN, particularly given her alignment to our strategic intent of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress. The Board is confident that Ms. Mulinge will continue the work of growing the Company as a leading provider of telecommunications and digital solutions.”
