MTN Group has officially announced the appointment of Ralph Mupita, its current Chief Financial Officer (CFO), as the new Group President and CEO. This significant leadership change will take effect from 1 September 2020. Mupita will succeed Rob Shuter, the outgoing CEO, who is stepping down after more than five years at the helm of the telecommunications giant.

In his new capacity, Ralph Mupita is expected to leverage his extensive experience as CFO to drive the growth and sustainability of MTN Group. The company expressed confidence in his ability, stating that his solid knowledge and background position him excellently for this crucial role. MTN Group Chairman, Mr. Mcebisi Jonas, conveyed his pleasure regarding Mupita's appointment, following a thorough and extensive search process.

Mr. Jonas highlighted Mupita's calibre, experience, and ability, noting his strong understanding of MTN's businesses and markets, along with a successful background in financial services, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), and emerging markets. These attributes, according to Jonas, make Mupita an ideal leader to guide the company's future growth and ensure its sustainability.

Ralph Mupita has served as the CFO of the MTN Group since April 2017. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in shaping the group’s strategy, overseeing capital allocation processes, contributing to financial performance, and expertly navigating complex regulatory challenges. Before joining MTN, Mupita was the CEO of Emerging Markets at Old Mutual plc, a prominent Pan-African financial services company operating across 19 countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

His career at Old Mutual included roles such as Strategy Director for Old Mutual South Africa between 2006 and 2007, Director of New Ventures, and Managing Director of Retail Affluent, before ascending to CEO in 2011. Mupita's professional background also includes experience as an engineer at Haw & Inglis Civil Engineering and a fundraising volunteer at LEAP Science and Maths School.

Academically, Ralph Mupita holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Cape Town. He further enhanced his executive education by completing the Graduate Management Program at the prestigious Harvard Business School. As the incoming CEO, Mupita intends to apply his comprehensive knowledge and experience to revamp and advance MTN Group's asset disposal plans, among other strategic initiatives.

Expressing his sentiments on the appointment, Ralph Mupita stated that it is a privilege and honour to lead a business with MTN Group’s history, scale, and significant socio-economic impact. He looks forward to collaborating with the group board and executive committee to foster growth and unlock value for both shareholders and broader stakeholders. Rob Shuter, the current Group CEO, will transition from his executive responsibilities on 31 August 2020 and will provide support to Mupita as needed until his fixed-term contract concludes in March 2021.