MTN Rwanda has appointed Gunter Engling the new chief executive officer (CEO). Engling replaces Ebenezer Asante who moves to MTN Ghana as CEO, a statement from the firm indicates. 

Engling has been executive for MTN Group finance. He has been with MTN for almost 12 years. He joined MTN Group in 2003 as senior manager for the group’s management accounting. He moved to MTN Nigeria in 2007 as general manager for finance and planning. In August 2009, he moved to MTN Ghana as the chief financial officer, and in August 2012, he was appointed head of passive infrastructure management in MTN Group.

Engling has substantial financial and audit management experience in the telecommunications, media and entertainment, and technology industries, according to the press statement. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Stellenbosch and is a qualified chartered accountant.

"I am honoured to be appointed to this role…I look forward to working with the entire MTN Rwanda team and stakeholders as we embark on this exciting journey,” Engling said in the statement.

After almost two successful years as MTN Rwanda CEO, Asante returns to Ghana as the first Ghanaian CEO of telecom in the country. MTN is the leading telecom in Ghana with over 14 million subscribers.

Asante praised the MTN Rwanda team for the success achieved during his term in office, saying they were able to transform the business and put it on a stronger competitive growth pedestal.

At over 3.8 million subscribers, MTN is the leading telecom firm in the country.

Twenty per cent stake owned by Crystal Telecom will be listed on the stock market on July 17. Shareholders will be watching how the new CEO steers the firm to continued profitability.

ben.gasore@newtimes.co.rw