MTN Announces New CEOs for Côte D'Ivoire, Zambia

Why It Matters

The moves reinforce MTN’s deep talent pipeline and ensure leadership continuity across two of its largest African markets, supporting the group’s strategic Ambition 2030 transformation agenda.

Key Takeaways

• Abbad Reda moves from MTN Zambia to lead MTN Côte d'Ivoire
• Larry Annetts, 29‑year MTN veteran, becomes MTN Zambia CEO
• Mitwa Ng'ambi appointed group chief people & culture officer
• All appointments are internal, showcasing MTN's talent depth
• Effective date for all roles set by September 1 2026

Pulse Analysis

MTN Group’s latest leadership reshuffle highlights the telecom giant’s focus on internal talent development as it drives toward its Ambition 2030 roadmap. By promoting seasoned executives from within, MTN signals confidence in its succession framework, a critical factor for investors monitoring governance stability across its 21‑country footprint. The appointments come at a time when African mobile operators are navigating intense competition, regulatory shifts, and the rollout of 5G and AI‑enabled services, making experienced leadership essential for sustained growth.

In Côte d'Ivoire, Abbad Reda brings a proven track record of operational turnarounds from his tenure in Zambia, Afghanistan, Liberia and Ghana. His deep understanding of market dynamics and digital innovation is expected to accelerate MTN’s subscriber acquisition and data revenue expansion in one of West Africa’s fastest‑growing telecom markets. Meanwhile, Larry Annetts assumes the Zambia helm after nearly three decades at MTN, where he led commercial strategy, product innovation and digital transformation initiatives. His familiarity with the local regulatory environment and consumer behavior positions MTN to deepen its market share and capitalize on emerging mobile financial services.

The elevation of Mitwa Ng'ambi to group chief people and culture officer adds a seasoned change‑agent to MTN’s executive suite. Having overseen turnarounds, restructurings and AI‑driven projects across multiple African subsidiaries, Ng'ambi is poised to harmonize talent strategies, embed a culture of innovation, and drive employee engagement across the group. For the broader industry, MTN’s internal promotions underscore the value of cultivating home‑grown leadership, a model that could inspire peer operators seeking to balance rapid expansion with sustainable governance. The clear succession plan also reassures shareholders that MTN is positioned to meet its long‑term growth targets while navigating the evolving telecom landscape.