In a major leadership reshuffle, MTN Group has announced the appointment of Mohammed Rufai, currently the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of MTN Nigeria, as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Congo-Brazzaville. Rufai’s appointment, effective September 1, 2024, comes as part of a series of executive changes in MTN’s West African operations.
Rufai, an accomplished professional with over 24 years of experience in ICT and an impressive track record in the telecoms industry, joined MTN Nigeria in 2002. He subsequently moved to MTN Ghana in 2015, where he served as Chief Technical Officer.
Currently, Rufai holds the position of CTO at MTN Nigeria and has held various senior roles across the MTN Group, including Regional CTIO for Southeast Africa and Ghana. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Bayobab (Nigeria) and MTN Benin.
Rufai’s appointment comes as the current CEO of MTN Congo-Brazzaville, Ayham Moussa, moves to MTN Nigeria as Chief Operations Officer (COO), replacing Hassan Jabber who is leaving the company.
Moussa first joined MTN in 2002, returned in 2006 after a brief hiatus, and has since served the organisation in various markets, including Syria and Guinea-Conakry. He has held senior roles such as Chief Information Officer, Chief Technical and Information Officer, and CEO of MTN Congo-Brazzaville.
In his technology roles, Moussa played a key role in Congo-Brazzaville’s digital evolution from 2G to 4G, establishing MTN Congo-Brazzaville as a technology leader. His team’s efforts were recognized with awards for the best network in West and Central Africa and the MTN Group. As CEO, Ayham expanded MTN Congo’s leadership and business health, accelerating growth, margins, and operational excellence, while fostering strong relationships with various local stakeholders.
MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita extended his thanks to the outgoing CEO of MTN Côte d’Ivoire, Djibril Ouattara, for his contribution over nearly nine years at MTN, stating that he had been instrumental in building the business in Congo-Brazzaville and leading the turnaround of MTN Côte d’Ivoire.
Mupita also thanked the departing MTN Nigeria COO, Hassan Jabber, for his immense contribution to the success of the Group over 22 years, where his roles included CEO in markets such as Sudan, Guinea-Conakry and Afghanistan.
The leadership changes come at a crucial time for MTN as the company continues to invest in 3G alongside 4G and 5G technologies to meet the growing demand for high-speed internet and digital services across Africa. Rufai’s appointment as CEO of MTN Congo-Brazzaville is expected to further strengthen the company’s position in the region and drive innovation in the telecoms sector.
