MTN Zambia has appointed Larry Annetts as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 September 2026. The appointment forms part of a broader leadership reshuffle at MTN Group and marks Annetts’ return to a market CEO role after decades within the organisation.
Annetts succeeds Abbad Reda, who led MTN Zambia from May 2023 until 1 September 2026 and has moved to become CEO of MTN Côte d’Ivoire. MTN Zambia thanked Reda for his contribution and wished him success in the new role.
Annetts brings more than three decades of experience at MTN Group. He has held senior commercial and marketing positions across several markets, including MTN South Africa, MTN Nigeria and a secondment as Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Commercial Officer at MTN Irancell. The group has credited him with driving commercial growth, digital transformation and product innovation.
In a statement welcoming the appointment, Annetts said MTN’s role in Zambia extends beyond connectivity. “We have an opportunity to be a strong enabler of progress by making digital services more accessible, relevant and inclusive for all Zambians,” he noted.
The Zambia appointment was first announced in June 2026 alongside other senior changes. Mitwa Ng’ambi, previously CEO of MTN Côte d’Ivoire, was named MTN Group Chief People and Culture Officer, while Reda moved from Zambia to Côte d’Ivoire. Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita highlighted the internal nature of the appointments as evidence of the depth of talent and effectiveness of succession planning within MTN.
All of the new roles were scheduled to take effect no later than 1 September 2026. The moves align with MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, which emphasises digital and financial inclusion across its African markets.
Annetts now takes charge of one of MTN’s key operations in Southern Africa at a time when the group continues to push data services, fintech and broader digital offerings. His focus, according to the company, will be on sustaining growth and deepening the accessibility of digital solutions for Zambian customers and communities.
