MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecom operator, serves over 300 million subscribers across 16 markets. Its scale is not powered by executives alone. Beneath the surface sits a strong governance layer, country-level board chairpersons who shape regulatory ties, guide capital decisions, and sustain long-term trust.

While Mcebisi Jonas leads at the group level, MTN’s strength is deeply local. Each market is anchored by influential national figures, former regulators, financiers, and business leaders, who help navigate complex political and economic environments.

In 2025, their role extends well beyond oversight. As MTN Group evolves into a digital platform spanning fintech, data infrastructure, and digital services, these chairpersons are critical in managing spectrum policy, mobile money licensing, ESG demands, and localisation pressures.

A clear pattern defines MTN Group’s structure: trusted local power brokers leading governance. This is intentional. In markets where telecoms intersect with national security, finance, and economic growth, trust carries as much weight as infrastructure.

As MTN Group advances its platform strategy, these chairpersons are no longer just overseers, they are central to ensuring the group remains both profitable and indispensable to Africa’s digital future.

From Nigeria to Rwanda, these chairpersons chronicled by Shore Africa form the governance backbone behind MTN’s continental scale and its next phase of growth.

1. MTN Group — Mcebisi Jonas

As MTN 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 Group deepens its fintech and infrastructure ambitions while maintaining investor confidence across volatile African markets.

2. MTN South Africa — Sindi Mabaso-Koyana

A seasoned Chartered Accountant and one of South Africa’s foremost corporate governance leaders, Sindi Mabaso-Koyana became Chairperson of MTN South Africa on April 1, 2026, after serving for nearly six years as an Independent Non-Executive Director of MTN Group and Chair of its influential Audit Committee. Succeeding Mike Harper, she is renowned for her expertise in financial oversight, risk management, board governance and helped strengthen MTN’s internal control frameworks, regulatory compliance and governance across its multinational operations during a period of significant strategic transformation. Mabaso-Koyana’s appointment also reinforces MTN South Africa’s commitment to strong governance, board diversity and long-term value creation, underscoring the increasingly pivotal role of effective board leadership in driving sustainable growth across Africa’s telecommunications sector.

MTN Group chairpersons across African markets

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. MTN Uganda — Charles Mbire

Worth of shares in MTN: over $100 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. In 2025, his role includes supporting MTN Uganda’s public listing maturity and fintech growth. His business network strengthens stakeholder alignment, helping MTN maintain its dominant position while navigating tax debates and expanding digital services in East Africa. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

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.