MTN Group has reappointed Charles Molapisi as its Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO). The announcement, part of a broader executive reshuffle unveiled last month, sees the seasoned telecom leader return to the role he first held from 2019 to 2022, just as he steps down from his post as CEO of MTN South Africa after a transformative three-year tenure.
Molapisi’s homecoming to the group-level tech helm comes at a pivotal moment for MTN, Africa’s largest mobile operator serving over 290 million subscribers across 17 markets. Having previously steered the company’s technology and information systems strategy during a period of aggressive 5G rollouts and digital infrastructure expansions, Molapisi now steps in to supercharge MTN’s Ambition 2025 goals.
These include embedding AI across operations for enhanced value creation and bolstering digital infrastructure to handle surging workloads in fintech, e-commerce, and connectivity services. His predecessor in the interim role, Mazen Mroué, will transition back to MTN Nigeria following Molapisi’s earlier stint there as Chief Information Officer.
Under Molapisi’s leadership as MTN South Africa CEO since January 2022, the unit navigated fierce market competition to deliver standout results: customer experience scores soared, financial metrics strengthened with double-digit service revenue growth in key quarters, and an innovation pipeline accelerated, including advanced data bundles and enterprise cloud solutions tailored for South Africa’s vibrant SME sector.
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“Charles’s proven track record in fusing strategy with execution has been instrumental in positioning MTN South Africa as a continental benchmark for digital resilience,” said MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita in the August announcement. Molapisi’s replacement at the SA helm, Ferdi Moolman—currently Group Chief Risk Officer—takes over amid the unit’s push for sustainable growth in a market valued at over R200 billion annually.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate Charles Molapisi on his new appointment as Group Chief Technology & Information Officer at MTN,” MTN Group stated in an internal memo that rippled across its networks. As Group CTIO, Molapisi will champion the evolution of MTN’s tech ecosystem, from AI-infused network optimizations to scalable digital platforms that empower Africa’s youth and enterprises.
In a statement, he reflected on the full-circle moment: “This role isn’t just about circuits and code—it’s about igniting connectivity that transforms lives, from Cape Town boardrooms to Nairobi startups. Together, we’ll harness technology to propel Africa’s digital renaissance.”
