Sylvia Mulinge Exits Safaricom to Join MTN Group

Sylvia Mulinge will leave Safaricom after 16 years of service to join MTN as the Ugandan Chief Executive Officer. Sylvia is a telecom veteran owing to her time as Safaricom which is the most profitable company in East and Central Africa.

Sylvia will assume her new office on 1^st October 2022. In the meantime, the MTN Uganda CFO, Andrew Bugembe, will be the acting Chief Executive Officer.

This move marks Ms Mulinge’s successful jump to the CEO’s post after her appointment to lead Vodacom Tanzania in 2018 was thwarted by Tanzanian authorities who refused to issue her with a work permit.

MTN Uganda, which has been rolling out services similar to those pioneered by Safaricom, will be relying on her extensive experience to grow the business.

“Sylvia Mulinge becomes MTN Uganda CEO, joining from Safaricom, where she served as Chief Consumer Business Officer for the Group. A seasoned executive, she brings with her a passion for transforming customers’ lives using technology,” South Africa’s MTN Group said.

“Mulinge replaces Wim Vanhelleputte, who will take on the new MTN Group role of Operations Executive: Markets.”

Ms Mulinge was among three CEOs that the multinational has appointed for its various markets effective the same date.

Mulinge joined Safaricom in 2007 and has occupied various senior roles over the years, including Head of Retail, Head of Sales, and Director of Consumer Business.

She is a graduate of the University of Nairobi, Kenya, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree (first-class honours).

She is still the Safaricom’s Chief Consumer Business Officer. Her last working day is September 30th.

Sylvia joined Safaricom in 2006 and has held various senior roles.

This includes general manager enterprise Unit and Director consumer Business Unit, before assuming the role of Chief Customer Officer in 2018.

CEO Peter Ndegwa said she has been instrumental in setting up two key business in Safaricom, Enterprise and Fixed Data.

“A champion of digital transformation, Sylvia is a purpose led and impact driven business leader,” he said.