The MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecom operator, has announced the appointment of Ghanaian business leader Selorm Adadevoh as its new group chief commercial officer (GCOO).
This strengthens the group’s leadership team and marks the second Ghanaian top executive to join the Group Executive Committee, following Ebenezer Asante’s appointment as senior vice president (SVP) of markets in 2018.
With the latest move, Adadevoh will succeed Jens Schulte-Bockum — a leading South African business executive who will step down from his role as GCOO and member of the Group Executive Committee upon the expiration of his fixed-term contract on March 31, 2024.
Effective April 1, 2024, Adadevoh will assume his new role in Johannesburg and will be responsible for leading commercial strategy and the group’s operations. In addition to his new GCOO role, Adadevoh will also take on all executive responsibilities previously held by Schulte-Bockum, ensuring a smooth transition and continuity of leadership.
From KNUST to The Wharton School: Adadevoh’s rise to telecom leadership
Adadevoh is a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience in the telecommunications industry — spanning across Africa, the Caribbean, the UK, and the US.
He holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana and an MBA in finance and strategic management from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
In June 2018, Adadevoh became CEO of MTN Ghana, leading the subsidiary to significant growth and profitability. His impressive track record and deep understanding of the African telecom market make him the best fit for his new role at the Group level.
Smooth transition at MTN Ghana: Stephen Blewett assumes CEO role on April 1, 2024
With Adadevoh transitioning to his new position, Stephen Blewett will take over as CEO of MTN Ghana, effective April 1, 2024. Blewett previously served as CEO of MTN Benin and Cameroon for seven years and brings extensive experience to this new role.
Despite stepping down from his executive positions, Jens Schulte-Bockum will continue to contribute to MTN by serving as a non-executive director on the boards of MTN South Africa, MTN Nigeria, and Bayobab. His expertise will remain a valuable asset to the group.
The appointment of Adadevoh as GCOO and the other leadership changes demonstrate MTN’s commitment to attracting and retaining top talent — this strategic move positions the telecom group for continued success and growth in the years to come.
