MTN appoints Safaricom’s Sylvia Mulinge as new Uganda CEO

Safaricom Chief Consumer Business Officer, Sylvia Mulinge has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of MTN Uganda starting in October. This move marks the end of a 16 year-long service to Safaricom where she was key among a team of group executives who have steered Safaricom to become the largest in the region by sales, earnings and value.

Ms. Mulinge goes on to replace Wim Vanhelleputte who is taking on the MTN Group role of Operations Executive: Markets. MTN Uganda will be relying on her extensive experience to grow and scale the business. In a statement, South Africa’s MTN Group CEO said “…A seasoned executive, she brings with her a passion for transforming customer’s lives using technology.”

Ms. Mulinge is among the 3 CEOs selected on the same date. She joined Safaricom in 2006 and has risen up the ranks over the years. She has held senior managerial roles including General Manager Enterprise Business Unit and Director Consumer Business Unit, before assuming the role of Chief Customer Officer in 2018 and later Chief Consumer Business Officer in July 2021.

Safaricom CEO, Peter Ndegwa, in a statement released to the public announcing her departure from the company described her as a champion of Digital Transformation, a purpose-led and an impact-driven business leader stating that she has lived the Safaricom Purpose of Transforming Lives.

“She has been an Executive Committee member (EXCO) for the last 9 years, where she has offered leadership and been part of many of Safaricom’s successes. More recently she has been instrumental in steering the agile transformation of commercial units. She is instrumental in setting up two key businesses in Safaricom; Enterprise and Fixed Data.”

Ms. Mulinge had previously been appointed CEO of Vodacom in April 2018 a position that was lost due to Tanzanian authorities’ refusal to issue her with a work permit. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from the University of Nairobi. She will still be at Safaricom until her term ends on 30th September, 2022.