In the sectors of finance and telecommunications, where precision meets vision, one name stands tall—Modupe Kadri. A financial architect of towering repute, Kadri has meticulously woven a career that spans nearly two decades, marked by excellence, strategy, and an unfettered commitment to financial innovation.
As the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of MTN Nigeria, Kadri stands at the helm of the financial operations of the nation’s largest telecommunications giant, guiding a market of over 64 million subscribers with astute leadership and foresight.
Kadri’s journey with MTN began in 2007, and since then, he has ascended through the ranks, etching his legacy across multiple markets. His financial acumen and strategic prowess have been instrumental in shaping the company’s growth, ensuring fiscal prudence, and driving business expansion in an ever-evolving digital economy.
Before assuming his esteemed role as CFO of MTN Nigeria in March 2020, Kadri served as the CFO of MTN Ghana, where he held the reins of financial stewardship in a fiercely competitive market of six operators, serving over 17 million subscribers.
Kadri’s tenure in Ghana was nothing short of transformative—he masterfully orchestrated financial planning, procurement, treasury management, and revenue assurance, aligning financial strategies with MTN’s corporate objectives. His dexterity in navigating regulatory landscapes and championing digital financial services cemented his position as a formidable force in the telecommunications sector. Notably, he served as a Director at MTN MobileMoney Limited, leading financial innovation in Ghana’s burgeoning fintech space.
His indelible mark on MTN Nigeria predates his current role. As General Manager of Financial Planning and later Acting Chief Financial Officer, Kadri was the linchpin in financial strategy, long-term business planning, and regulatory compliance. His deep engagements with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) ensured sound financial governance, risk management, and operational efficiency at the highest level.
Kadri’s financial mastery was honed at Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria PLC, where he served as Business Development Manager and later Financial Controller. In these capacities, he reported directly to the CEO and CFO, crafting financial insights that fueled corporate growth, spearheading performance management programs, and refining business strategies to drive operational excellence.
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A man of numbers, but even more, a man of vision—Kadri’s influence transcends the balance sheets and profit margins. His ability to blend financial expertise with strategic leadership has placed him at the forefront of Nigeria’s telecommunications and finance industries. Through his unwavering commitment to excellence, he has driven sustainable growth, championed digital financial inclusion, and contributed immensely to the transformation of Africa’s digital economy.
Kadri’s brilliance has not gone unnoticed. As the former CFO of MTN Ghana, his financial leadership was lauded at the maiden Ghana CFO Awards in 2014, where he was named Best CFO in the IT and Telecoms Sector. This recognition stands as a receipt of his unequal ability to navigate the finance sector with precision, innovation, and a relentless drive for excellence.
TheCFO Magazine’s CFO of the Week recognizes exceptional Chief Financial Officers across Africa, celebrating their outstanding leadership, impactful achievements, innovative solutions, extensive industry expertise, and invaluable contributions to their organizations.
