By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
MTN Group President and CEO
Ralph Mupita has been re-elected to the GSMA Board of Directors for the
2027–2028 term, extending his role in shaping the strategic direction of the
global mobile industry.
The 26-member GSMA Board
brings together senior representatives from global mobile operators, including
multinational groups and smaller independent operators, and provides strategic
direction to the GSMA as it works to advance the mobile industry and expand
connectivity for people, businesses and society.
Mupita said his new term
comes at a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping the industry while
millions of people across Africa and the Global South remain offline.
“It is a privilege to
continue serving on the GSMA Board, and I am grateful for the confidence placed
in me. This term comes as AI begins to reshape our industry, while many people
across Africa and the rest of the Global South are still to come online. Mobile
remains the most powerful means we have of widening access to opportunity, and
our task is to ensure that its benefits, and those of AI, reach everyone,”
Mupita said.
He said he remained
committed to supporting the GSMA’s strategic direction and collaboration among
operators, the wider mobile ecosystem and policymakers.
“I remain committed to
supporting the strategic direction of the GSMA. It brings operators, the wider
mobile ecosystem and policymakers to the same table, and that collaboration is
what will sustain investment and make access more affordable for the people we
serve,” he added.
Mupita joined the GSMA Board
for the 2025-2026 term and has served as Deputy Chair since April 2025. During
the new term, he will continue to drive the African agenda, with a focus on
closing usage and coverage gaps, increasing investment and securing a climate-smart
future.
Mupita has served as Group
President and CEO of MTN Group since September 2020, having previously served
as Group Chief Financial Officer from April 2017. Before joining MTN, he led
Old Mutual Emerging Markets across 19 countries in Africa, Latin America and
Asia.
MTN’s contribution to the
GSMA Board during the new term will be guided by its Ambition 2030 strategy of
leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.
The new GSMA Board will
serve from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028.
