Ralph Tendai Mupita, a Zimbabwe-born engineer and corporate leader, has emerged as one of Africa’s most influential business figures since becoming Group President and CEO of MTN Group on September 1, 2020. His journey to the helm of Africa’s largest telecom company is rooted in a blend of technical expertise and strategic vision. With a foundation in civil engineering from the University of Cape Town, followed by an MBA and further executive training at Harvard University.
Mupita’s career trajectory reflects his versatility, with experience spanning engineering, finance, and corporate strategy. After beginning his career as a civil engineer in Cape Town, he transitioned to the finance sector, joining Old Mutual South Africa in 2001. Over nearly two decades with the company, he rose through the ranks, eventually leading the Emerging Markets division, where he oversaw operations across multiple continents. His tenure as Chief Financial Officer at MTN from 2017 positioned him as a strategic force, ultimately paving the way for his role as CEO.
As the Group President and CEO of MTN Group, Ralph Mupita is leading Africa’s largest wireless telecom provider through a transformative era. Since his appointment in 2020, Mupita has championed initiatives to bridge Africa’s connectivity gap and support digital inclusion, particularly in underserved communities. Under his leadership, MTN Group’s Ambition 2025 strategy is not only reshaping the company’s trajectory but also aligning its mission with Africa’s socio-economic development goals.
Mupita’s strategic focus with Ambition 2025 is threefold: connectivity expansion, operational agility, and geographic concentration. Recognizing the transformative potential of digital infrastructure, Mupita envisions broadband access as essential for progress in education, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial sectors. By expanding network coverage, MTN aims to provide critical services that will help lift communities across the continent.
To support this vision, Ralph’s leadership at MTN is actively delayering its business by separating and streamlining units like fintech and fiber, positioning each for rapid growth. This operational restructuring allows the company to capture opportunities across various technology platforms, from financial services to digital applications, while simplifying governance and focusing its resources within Africa.
A key element of Ralph’s strategy includes simplifying the balance sheet to enhance financial resilience and improve capital flexibility. By prioritizing African markets and exiting non-core geographies like the Middle East, MTN aims to maximize impact and growth potential within the continent.
Mupita’s ambitious roadmap highlights MTN’s commitment to aligning business goals with Africa’s sustainable development aspirations. Under his leadership, MTN is moving beyond telecommunications to become a comprehensive technology provider, fostering a digitally connected future that supports economic advancement for all Africans. Through these efforts, Mupita and MTN are helping to shape a continent where digital access drives inclusive and sustainable growth.
