MTN Group has announced the appointment of Lwazi Bam as its new Group Chief Risk Officer (GCRO), a strategic leadership move aimed at strengthening enterprise-wide risk management and compliance across its operations.
The appointment, which takes effect on June 1, 2026, will see Bam join the Group’s Executive Committee, where he will oversee risk oversight, governance, and regulatory compliance across MTN’s footprint. The move forms part of broader leadership adjustments designed to enhance the execution of the company’s long-term strategy, particularly as it seeks to unlock value from rising data adoption and financial inclusion across Africa.
Bam brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience to the role, with a strong track record in managing complex, multi-market operations. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte Africa and Southern Africa, where he led the integration and expansion of a pan-African business while strengthening governance, risk, and capital discipline frameworks.
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Commenting on the appointment, Ralph Mupita, President and CEO of MTN Group, said Bam’s leadership comes at a pivotal time as the company advances its Ambition 2030 strategy. He noted that Bam’s experience in navigating highly regulated environments and leading large, complex organisations would be instrumental in reinforcing MTN’s risk and governance capabilities.
“Lwazi Bam joins MTN at an exciting time in our journey, as we embark on our Ambition 2030 strategy,” said MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita.
“He brings with him strong leadership and experience in leading large, complex businesses across multiple markets, combined with a deep understanding of risk, regulatory and governance frameworks. I believe this will stand MTN in good stead as we work to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”
During his tenure at Deloitte, Bam managed multi-jurisdictional operations and worked closely with regulators and supervisory bodies, further deepening his expertise in compliance and risk oversight. Beyond his executive roles, he has served on the boards of several major institutions, including Standard Bank Group, South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, ZEDA Limited, Valterra Platinum, and Woolworths Holdings Limited, contributing to governance and audit committees.
A chartered accountant by training, Bam is widely recognised for his board-level expertise and stewardship in risk and governance. His appointment underscores MTN’s commitment to strengthening its leadership bench as it positions itself to deliver digital solutions that drive Africa’s economic progress.
