Safaricom Appoints Wim Vanhelleputte as CEO for Ethiopia Unit

Safaricom has appointed Wim Vanhelleputte as CEO for the Ethiopia unit, effective September 1. He replaces Anwar Soussa, who served for two years.

Mr Vanhelleputte joins Safaricom from MTN Group, where he served as the operations executive since last August, tasked with the performance and governance of four operating companies in West and Central Africa.

Mr Vanhelleputte has extensive leadership experience and deep industry knowledge, having worked in the telecommunications industry across multiple markets in sub-Saharan Africa for over 25 years.

Mr Vanhelleputte served as the CEO of MTN Uganda from 2016, a position that was taken over by Sylvia Mulinge.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Wim Vanhelleputte as the chief executive officer of Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC, effective September 1, 2023,” said CEO Peter Ndegwa in an internal communication to staff.

“Wim brings extensive leadership experience and deep industry knowledge, having worked in the telecommunications industry across multiple markets in sub-Saharan Africa for over 25 years.”

The Belgian national will be in charge of delivering Safaricom’s ambitious growth targets in Ethiopia where it started operations in 2022.