MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, has been given an expanded role within the MTN Group. Toriola will now serve as vice-president for Francophone Africa, a position that will see him oversee the company’s operations in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Benin Republic, and Congo Brazzaville, while still retaining his position as CEO of MTN Nigeria.
The announcement was made on Monday in a notice filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited by the company secretary, Uto Ukpanah. The company explained that Toriola’s new responsibility is part of the group’s strategic plan to strengthen leadership across its different regional operations.
“Dr Karl Toriola has extensive prior experience in this role, having served as Vice President for West and Central Africa at MTN Group Limited,” the statement said.
Toriola, who became CEO of MTN Nigeria in 2021, has more than two decades of experience in the telecommunications sector. His leadership in Nigeria has been marked by aggressive network expansion, increased investments in 5G rollout, and partnerships that have supported the growth of digital services in Africa’s largest telecom market. His return to a regional leadership role highlights the confidence MTN Group has in his capacity to drive performance beyond Nigeria.
While Toriola is set to take on more responsibility, the company also confirmed a major leadership change in its board. Ferdinand Moolman, a non-executive director at MTN Nigeria, will step down effective October 31, 2025. Moolman has been appointed CEO of MTN South Africa and will assume his new role on November 1.
Moolman has a long history within the MTN Group, where he previously served as CEO of MTN Nigeria and held several senior management roles across different units. His return to an executive position in South Africa is seen as a continuation of MTN’s strategy of positioning experienced leaders in key markets.
“The board wishes to express its appreciation to Mr Moolman for his immense service to MTN Nigeria and success in his new role,” the notice read.
Industry watchers say the leadership restructuring within MTN reflects the company’s efforts to consolidate its market dominance in Africa and maintain investor confidence amid rising competition in the telecom sector. MTN Nigeria, which is the largest operator in the country with more than 80 million subscribers, has been focusing on expanding digital services, mobile money, and data infrastructure to meet growing demand.
Analysts also note that the dual role assigned to Toriola may strengthen MTN’s coordination across its Anglophone and Francophone markets. With Nigeria already contributing a significant portion of MTN Group’s revenue, the group appears to be leveraging his experience to replicate similar results in other fast-growing markets.
The company reassured its shareholders that despite the leadership shifts, its board remains committed to sustaining growth and delivering long-term value. “We are confident that these changes will further strengthen our operations and ensure continued leadership in the African telecommunications industry,” MTN Nigeria said.
With this development, MTN is positioning itself to maintain its edge in Africa’s highly competitive telecom space. The appointment of seasoned leaders like Toriola and Moolman demonstrates the group’s commitment to long-term strategic growth while adapting to the evolving demands of the market.
