MTN appoints Ali Monzer as CEO in South Sudan

MTN Group has announced the appointment of Ali Monzer as the new CEO of MTN South Sudan.

Monzer will take over the role on April 1, 2024, replacing Gordian Kyomukama, who is retiring after over four years at the helm of MTN South Sudan.

Since joining MTN in 2004, Monzer has held progressively senior positions, most recently as chief technology and information officer of MTN Uganda. He also did stints at MTN Nigeria and MTN Ghana in different roles.

MTN said that Monzer has 23 years of telecommunications industry experience and, in his previous roles, demonstrated success in operational efficiency, cost optimization, market growth and customer experience enhancement.

He holds a master's degree in computer communication engineering and relevant industry certifications.

MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita said he believes Monzer will add immense value to MTN's operations in South Sudan.

"His wealth of experience and proven track record in technology and operations make him well-positioned to drive MTN South Sudan's continued growth and success," he said.

Gordian Kyomukama to retire

Mupita also thanked outgoing CEO Kyomukama for "always displaying vigour, determination, and an exemplary work ethic" during his tenure with the company.

Kyomukama was appointed as CEO of MTN South Sudan in January 2020 and before that spent many years working for MTN under various roles at its operations in Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroon, Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire.

MTN South Sudan CEO Gordian Kyomukama will retire in April 2024. (Source: MTN Group)

In February 2019, Kyomukama stepped up to take over as acting CEO of MTN Uganda, where he was CTO, when CEO Wim Vanhelleputte was deported from the country.

Vanhelleputte was allowed to return to Uganda in May 2019 and continued as CEO until September 2022 when he moved into a new role as operations executive for Liberia, Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau and Congo-Brazzaville.

*Top image is of MTN incoming CEO of South Sudan, Ali Monzer. (Source: MTN Group)

— Paula Gilbert, Editor, Connecting Africa