Leadership changes for MTN Nigeria, Iran & Sudan

MTN Group has announced new leadership appointments for its businesses in Nigeria, Iran and Sudan – all of them internal candidates.

The first change is a new chief operating officer (COO) for MTN Nigeria, with Hassan Jaber taking up the role on April 1, 2022. He moves from MTN Irancell, where he is currently COO, and brings 25 years of telecoms and digital experience within the MTN Group.

Jaber is filling the gap left by Mazen Mroue, who moved to become MTN Group chief technology and information officer (CTIO) in February 2022.

"A vital enabler of our strategy is having the best talent, culture and future-fit skills. Today's announcement demonstrates the depth of talent within the Group, as well as the strength of our succession planning," said MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita in a statement about the appointments.

MTN said Jaber's track record of building and scaling up telecom operations and developing digital businesses through the power of mobile technology will be instrumental for MTN Nigeria.

He has served MTN in numerous markets, including Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen.

Iran and Sudan changes

Malik Melamu will assume the position of MTN Irancell COO, joining from MTN Sudan where he has been CEO over the last five years.

Melamu has over 28 years of managerial and executive experience and previously served as MTN Benin CEO and as executive for sales and distribution and customer experience at MTN Group.

Stepping into the CEO role at MTN Sudan is Ziad Sabah, whose career at MTN spans more than a decade. Most recently he served as MTN Syria CEO and before that as the chief marketing officer of MTN Syria.

MTN said that Sabah is a seasoned business leader and will play a pivotal role in strengthening MTN Sudan's market position through initiatives to advance digital and financial inclusion.

"These appointments demonstrate the depth of leadership bench-strength within the MTN Group, and we remain focused on delivering sustainable growth to our stakeholders. Nigeria, Iran and Sudan are markets with attractive demographics and tremendous potential growth opportunities for digital and financial inclusion," added Mupita.

*Top image is of MTN's new branding. (Source: MTN Group)

— The Staff, Connecting Africa