Mark Oyier Appointed Director Of IT At Safaricom

Safaricom PLC has appointed Mark Oyier as its new Director of IT, filling a critical leadership position that has remained vacant since the departure of George Njuguna in 2024.

This development, independently confirmed by CIO Africa, marks a significant step in strengthening the telco’s technology leadership structure at a time when digital transformation, platform resilience, and customer-centric innovation remain central to its strategy.

Following Njuguna’s exit, the Director of IT role had remained unoccupied for an extended period, with James Maitai – who returned to the organisation and was later appointed Group Chief of Technology and Information (CITO) in 2024 – providing oversight and continuity across key IT functions.

Oyier’s appointment is an internal promotion, as he served as Head of Department for Billing and Core Applications (BSS), where he played a pivotal role in managing business-critical systems that underpin revenue assurance, customer management, and service delivery. In his new capacity, Oyier will continue reporting to Maitai, aligning IT operations closely with the broader technology and network strategy under the CITO’s office.

He will lead the evolution of Safaricom’s digital and enterprise platforms, drive end-to-end automation across the value chain, and strengthen the company’s multicloud and AI/ML capabilities. Oyier will also spearhead innovation, operational excellence, and the developmeny of high-perfoming, multi-skilled teams across the IT organisation.

Oyier brings with him extensive experience across Kenya’s banking and telecommunications sectors. Before joining Safaricom, he held senior roles at NCBA Group, where he served as Head of IT Applications and Channels, as well as at Stanbic Bank Kenya, where he led IT Applications, Development, and Support. His background in financial services is particularly relevant in a market where the convergence of telecoms and fintech continues to reshape customer experiences and revenue models.

Oyier is an accomplished technology leader with extensive experience in Business Support Systems (BSS), IT infrastructure, cloud platforms, enterprise applications, DevOps and SRE practices, and digital channels. He holds a Master of Science in Information Technology from Strathmore University and a Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences from Moi University.

His elevation comes at a time when Safaricom is increasingly focused on scaling digital platforms, enhancing enterprise offerings, and expanding its footprint beyond traditional connectivity services. The Director of IT role is therefore central not only to internal systems stability but also to enabling new business lines and ecosystem partnerships.