MTN Group has announced a series of key executive appointments and departures within its West African operations. These changes, which are effective from 19 August and 1 September 2024, see Mohammed Rufai taking over as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Congo-Brazzaville and Ayham Moussa assuming the role of Chief Operations Officer (COO) of MTN Nigeria.
The appointments follow the voluntary early retirement of MTN Côte dâIvoire CEO Djibril Ouattara and the departure of MTN Nigeria COO Hassan Jabber.
Mohammed Rufai, with over 24 years of experience in the ICT sector, joins MTN Congo-Brazzaville from MTN Nigeria, where he held the position of Chief Technical Officer. His career with MTN began in 2002, and he has since held various senior roles, including Regional CTIO for Southeast Africa and Ghana. He also serves on the boards of Bayobab (Nigeria) and MTN Benin.
Rufai's appointment comes alongside the move of Ayham Moussa from MTN Congo-Brazzaville to MTN Nigeria. Moussa, who first joined MTN in 2002, has served in various roles across the organisation, including Chief Information Officer, Chief Technical and Information Officer, and CEO of MTN Congo-Brazzaville. Under his leadership, MTN Congo-Brazzaville experienced significant growth and achieved recognition for its network, becoming a leader in the West and Central African regions.
Moussa replaces Hassan Jabber, who is leaving MTN after a 22-year career. Jabber held various CEO positions within the Group, including in Sudan, Guinea-Conakry and Afghanistan, and contributed significantly to the company's success.
MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita expressed his gratitude to both Ouattara and Jabber for their significant contributions to the company. "On behalf of the MTN Group Board and Group Exco, I wish both Djibril and Hassan well in their future endeavours," he said. "I also congratulate Ayham and Mohammed on their appointments and wish them success in their new roles."
These leadership changes represent a strategic move by MTN Group to continue its growth and strengthen its position in the dynamic West African market. With experienced executives stepping into key roles, MTN is poised to continue its commitment to delivering innovative digital solutions and enhancing customer experiences across its operations.