MTN Group
President and CEO, Ralph Mupita, has been elected to the prestigious GSMA Board
of Directors for the upcoming 2025-2026 term. The GSMA, which represents mobile
operators and companies within the wider mobile ecosystem globally, announced
the election of its new board members, with Mr. Mupita set to join a
distinguished group of 26 executives driving the global mobile agenda. His
two-year tenure will commence on 1 January 2025 and extend through 31 December
2026.
The election of
Ralph Mupita to the GSMA Board according to a statement issued underscores
MTN’s pivotal role in connecting Africa and advancing the continent’s economic,
social, and digital transformation aspirations. Mr. Mupita, who has been at the
helm of MTN Group, Africa’s leading telecoms company, brings to the table a
wealth of expertise and a strong vision to bridge the digital divide in Africa.
As a newly
elected GSMA Board member, he will have the opportunity to champion the African
agenda within the global mobile industry. In particular his focus will be
aligned with the GSMA’s G6 commitments, which prioritize closing usage and
coverage gaps, increasing investments in digital infrastructure, and fostering
a climate-smart future. These objectives are crucial for Africa as the
continent continues to embrace digital transformation and seeks to ensure
inclusive growth in the digital age.
Ralph Mupita
expressed his excitement about the opportunity to influence the future of the
mobile industry at such a critical time. “I am honoured to join the GSMA
Board at a time of rapid developments in technology and increasing digital
adoption across Africa,” Mupita said. “Mobile technology will play a
critical role in addressing the pressing challenges facing our communities and
unlocking the full potential of Africa. It’s essential that no one is left
behind in this journey toward a more connected future.”
His appointment
also comes as the GSMA Board elected José María Álvarez-Pallete López, the
Chairman and CEO of Telefónica, as its Chair, and Gopal Vittal, CEO of Bharti
Airtel, as its Deputy Chair for the 2025-2026 term. Together, the leadership of
Álvarez-Pallete, Vittal, and Mupita will steer the GSMA through an era of rapid
technological innovation and expansion, where mobile connectivity will be pivotal
in shaping future economies.
The GSMA Board
comprises senior representatives from some of the largest global mobile
operators as well as smaller independent operators, all of whom will play an
integral part in shaping the future of mobile communications worldwide.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
