New MTN CEO officially installed

Cameroon’s leading mobile telephone operator; MTN has designated a new Chief Executive Officer, CEO. South Africa’s Philisiwe Gugulethu Sibiya is the first woman to be appointed CEO at the MTN Group. She takes over from Karl Toriola of Nigerian nationality. Toriola has served the mobile telephone company in same portfolio since 2011.

According to a communiqué by the chairman of the board of directors of MTN Cameroon, Colin E. Mukete, Sibiya will effectively take over office on April 1.

The new MTN CEO was, however, officially installed into her functions yesterday, March 26 at Star Land hotel in Bonapriso, Douala.

Speaking during a cocktail party offered in honour of the former CEO, Victor Oben of the human resource department said MTN Cameroon has achieved a lot with Karl Toriola as CEO. Oben was emphatic that tremendous growth has been witnessed in terms of the number of subscribers to the network as well as growth accreditation in people management perspective.

Turning to the new CEO, Oben said she has truly earned her place within the MTN Group. He said close to 40% of MTN staff in Cameroon are women, most of who occupy strategic positions.

As concerns the task that lies ahead for the new boss, Oben pointed out that she will amongst other things be expected to maintain MTN Cameroon’s leadership position in the market, adding that the staff of MTN are looking forward for brighter days ahead.

“Mrs. Sibiya will have the responsibility to maintain MTN Cameroon’s growth trajectory and reinforce its market leadership in an increasingly competitive telecommunications sector. Since 2011, MTN Cameroon has witnessed a tremendous growth of close to 100% of its subscribers’ base, with just over 60% market share, making it one of the best performing operations in the MTN Group, alongside Nigeria and South Africa.” He stated.

Taking the cue Karl Toriola told the over 200 attendees that he was actually leaving Cameroon a happy man. Toriola was categorical that much growth has been recorded within MTN Cameroon since he took over, citing a 40% increase in revenue and a significant improvement in profit and market shares. He said salaries and bonuses of MTN staff were consistently improved upon. “I am leaving Cameroon a happy man. I am taking over a new role in which I will be responsible for 13 countries,” he said.

For her part, the new CEO of MTN Cameroon shortly after being introduced to the staff, management and partners of MTN Cameroon amidst thunderous applauds, pledged to pick the challenge of managing the company from where her predecessor ended. Philisiwe who has an undoubted wealth of management experience, acknowledged that she was particularly excited to notice that MTN Cameroon has undergone transformation within the past four years.

Prior to her appointment to MTN Cameroon, Philisiwe SIBIYA was chief finance officer of MTN South Africa. She is a seasoned chartered accountant with an excellent track record and extensive experience in the telecom sector. She has occupied several senior management positions both at MTN South Africa and MTN Group. Before joining MTN Group in 2005, she worked for Arthur Andersen, PRIMEDIA and cell C in South Africa.