MTN Names Jerry Soko CEO of MTN Eswatini in Leadership Push

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The appointment comes as Africa’s largest telecom operator continues to strengthen its leadership team to drive digital growth across the continent.

MTN Group has appointed Jerry Soko as Chief Executive Officer of MTN Eswatini, reinforcing the company’s strategy of promoting experienced leaders from within as it advances its Ambition 2030 vision.

The appointment takes effect on July 1 after Soko spent the past seven months serving as Acting Chief Executive Officer, a period during which MTN said he helped stabilise the business, improve operational discipline, and strengthen customer engagement.

Soko brings more than two decades of leadership experience in Africa’s information and communications technology sector. During his career, he has held senior finance and executive positions across several MTN markets, giving him broad operational experience as the group continues to expand its digital services across the continent.

Announcing the appointment, MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita said Soko’s performance as acting chief executive demonstrated his ability to lead the business into its next phase of growth. According to Mupita, the company regained momentum under Soko’s leadership through stronger operational execution and a renewed focus on customers.

The leadership change forms part of a broader management refresh across MTN as the telecom giant executes its Ambition 2030 strategy. The plan is designed to transform MTN from a traditional mobile network operator into a broader digital platform offering connectivity, fintech, enterprise solutions, and digital infrastructure across its markets.

Leadership appointments have become increasingly important as telecom operators face growing competition while investing heavily in financial technology, cloud services, and digital infrastructure. Executives are expected to drive not only subscriber growth but also expansion in mobile money, enterprise services, and digital ecosystems.

For Eswatini, Soko’s appointment provides continuity at a time when demand for reliable digital connectivity and financial services continues to increase. For MTN Group, it reflects a broader commitment to developing leadership from within its African operations rather than relying solely on external appointments.

As Africa’s telecommunications industry continues to evolve, leadership decisions such as this are expected to play an important role in determining how operators compete in an increasingly digital economy.