MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecom services provider, has risen into Africa’s most dominant telecom operator, serving more than 300 million subscribers across 16 markets, and is not driven by executives alone. Behind the scenes, a powerful layer of governance exists: board chairpersons embedded in each country, quietly steering regulatory relationships, capital allocation, and long-term trust.

At the top sits Mcebisi Jonas, but MTN’s real resilience is local. Each operating company relies on influential national figures, former regulators, financiers, and industrialists, who anchor the brand in politically sensitive markets.

In 2025, their role has expanded beyond oversight. As MTN pivots from a telecom operator to a digital platform business spanning fintech, data infrastructure, and digital services, these chairs are central to navigating spectrum policy, mobile money licensing, ESG pressures, and localisation demands.

Across MTN’s footprint, a pattern emerges: former regulators, financiers, and influential local business leaders dominate board leadership. This is deliberate.

In markets where telecoms intersect with national security, financial systems, and economic growth, trust is as valuable as infrastructure.

As MTN advances toward its next phase, often referred to as its long-term platform strategy, these chairpersons will play an even greater role. Their mandate is no longer just oversight; it is to ensure MTN remains both profitable and indispensable to Africa’s digital future.

From Nigeria to Rwanda, these 10 chairpersons represent the governance backbone of MTN’s continental scale, and the strategic force behind its next growth phase.

1. MTN Group — Mcebisi Jonas
As Group Chairman, Jonas anchors MTN’s governance across all markets, balancing shareholder expectations with geopolitical complexity. A former South African deputy finance minister, he brings credibility in high-stakes policy environments. In 2025, his focus remains capital discipline and portfolio optimisation under MTN’s Ambition strategy. Jonas plays a key role in guiding board oversight as MTN deepens its fintech and infrastructure ambitions while maintaining investor confidence across volatile African markets.

2. MTN Nigeria — Ernest Ndukwe
A former telecom regulator, Ndukwe chairs MTN Nigeria with deep institutional authority. He is one of the most vocal proponents of digital inclusion, stressing the need to balance profitability with national development. In 2025, MTN Nigeria, the Group’s most profitable business and Nigeria’s largest telecom operator, posted over $3.8 billion in revenue for its fiscal year 2025, marking a 54.92% increase compared to the previous year. Ndukwe continues to engage policymakers on spectrum allocation and regulatory stability. His leadership reinforces MTN Nigeria’s positioning as a local champion rather than a foreign operator, particularly as the company expands mobile money and broadband penetration.

3. MTN Ghana — Ishmael Yamson
Yamson brings decades of corporate leadership and governance expertise to MTN Ghana. As chair, he plays a stabilising role in one of MTN’s most profitable West African markets. In 2025, his focus includes strengthening compliance with local listing requirements and supporting fintech expansion. His presence signals strong local ownership and credibility, critical in a market where telecom operators face intense regulatory scrutiny and growing expectations around digital financial inclusion.

4. MTN Uganda — Charles Mbire
Worth of shares in MTN: Ush381.16 billion ($104.23 million)
Mbire, a leading Ugandan industrialist, anchors MTN Uganda’s board with deep local influence. Re-elected by shareholders, he continues to guide the company through evolving regulatory frameworks. Mbire, who serves as chairman and non-executive director of MTN Uganda, owns a 4% stake in the Kampala-based telecom company through 895.56 million shares. As of March 2026, the total assets of the Kampala-based telecom operator expanded by 5.82% to Ush5.67 trillion ($1.51 billion) from Ush5.36 trillion ($1.42 billion) at the end of 2025, while retained earnings declined marginally by 0.89% to Ush1.19 trillion ($317.2 million) from Ush1.2 trillion ($320.05 million).

MTN Uganda chairman Charles Mbire is set to earn $2.02 million interim dividend. — MTN Uganda chairman Charles Mbire earned $2.02 million interim dividend.

5. MTN Rwanda — Faustin K. Mbundu
Mbundu, an entrepreneur and head of MFK Group, chairs MTN Rwanda with a strong private-sector perspective. His leadership reflects Rwanda’s pro-business environment and focus on digital transformation. In 2025, he supports initiatives around fintech adoption and network expansion. Mbundu’s presence underscores MTN’s alignment with Rwanda’s ambition to become a regional tech hub, ensuring governance remains closely tied to national development priorities.

6. MTN Zambia — Valentine Chitalu
Private equity veteran Chitalu brings financial discipline and strategic clarity to MTN Zambia. As chair, he has overseen governance during periods of economic volatility. In 2025, his focus includes capital efficiency and expanding digital services beyond traditional voice revenue. His experience in investment and banking strengthens MTN Zambia’s ability to align growth with shareholder returns, particularly as competition intensifies in the Southern African telecom landscape.

7. MTN South Sudan — Andrew John Bugembe
Bugembe chairs MTN South Sudan in one of MTN’s most complex operating environments. His role is heavily centred on risk management, regulatory engagement, and operational continuity. In 2025, he works alongside the executive team to sustain network expansion despite economic and political challenges. His leadership ensures governance stability in a fragile market, reinforcing MTN’s long-term commitment to connectivity in frontier economies. Bugembe is the CFO of MTN Uganda. He has spent almost two decades in the telecommunications sector in Africa, having led finance functions for MTN in Ghana, Congo and Liberia. In September 2023, Andrew also took on a non-executive director role at MTN South Sudan.

8. MTN Cameroon — Ebenezer Essoka
Appointed in 2024, Essoka brings extensive corporate governance experience to MTN Cameroon. He succeeded a long-serving founding chair, marking a transition in leadership. In 2025, his priorities include strengthening stakeholder relations and guiding digital service expansion. His appointment reflects MTN’s emphasis on renewing governance structures while maintaining continuity in key Francophone markets where regulatory engagement remains critical.

9. MTN Benin — Amadou Raimi
Raimi chairs MTN Benin with a focus on operational oversight and regulatory alignment. In a smaller but strategic market, his role centres on sustaining growth while ensuring compliance with evolving telecom policies. In 2025, he supports efforts to deepen mobile money adoption and improve network reach. His leadership reinforces MTN’s commitment to localisation, ensuring that governance reflects domestic economic priorities.

10. Lonestar Cell MTN Liberia — Danielle A. Urey
Urey chairs Lonestar Cell MTN, bringing strong governance oversight to Liberia’s leading telecom operator. Her role bridges board strategy and executive execution, particularly in expanding digital services. In 2025, she supports initiatives aimed at improving connectivity and financial inclusion. Her leadership highlights the growing presence of women in telecom governance, reinforcing MTN’s evolving approach to diversity at the board level.