Ralph Mupita, the CEO of MTN Group, has been appointed to the board of the GSMA, a key global organisation in the telecommunications sector, and will serve as the organisation’s deputy chairman.
MTN announced on Thursday that Mupita, who also serves as group president, will serve as deputy chair until the end of 2026. He will assist chairman Gopal Vittal, elected last month after serving as deputy chair since 2023.
The GSMA is a global industry body representing key mobile sector players, including telecom operators. In a statement, Mupita expressed his gratitude for the appointment, stating, “This position is a great honour as it comes at a time of rapid technological developments and increasing digital adoption across Africa. Mobile technology will play a critical role in addressing our communities’ pressing challenges and unlocking Africa’s full potential, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey toward a more connected future.”
As deputy chair, Mupita will oversee the transition to 5G Standalone, promote new revenue models for the sector, and leverage artificial intelligence and the GSMA’s “Open Gateway APIs” to foster industry growth.
The Open Gateway initiative uses open network application programming interfaces and involves mobile operators, who account for nearly 80% of mobile connections worldwide.
Mupita has led MTN Group since September 2020 after serving as the group’s chief financial officer since April 2017. Before joining MTN, he was the CEO of Old Mutual Emerging Markets, which provided financial services to individuals and corporations in 19 countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
