Safaricom executive appointed MD for Vodacom Tanzania

Safaricom’s Director of Consumer Business Sylvia Mulinge has been appointed the Managing Director of Vodacom Tanzania starting June 1, 2018. A statement issued by Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore said Mulinge will be taking over from Ian Ferrao while Charles Wanjohi will be taking over Mulinge’s position in an acting capacity.

According to Vodacom Tanzania, Ferrao reached the end of his three-year tenure at the company and opted not to renew his contract “and instead move on to pursue other interests.”

“The Board is thankful for Ian’s years of service and his fantastic leadership. Ian exits the Company having steered us through significant milestones, leaving a progressive legacy in the Tanzanian market,” said Vodacom’s Board Chairman Mr Ali Mufuruki.

Collymore also said Mulinge has shown exceptional leadership skills that helped the company navigate through harsh times over the period she worked for the mobile operator.

 “Throughout her 17-year career, she has built a reputation as one of Kenya’s outstanding business leaders, a mentor and go-getter, qualities that we at Safaricom have benefited greatly from and will deeply miss,” he said.

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Mulinge has overseen the growth of Safaricom’s enterprise business, she has led the reorganisation strategy, and has overseen early identification of industry trends like customer segmentation which has allowed Safaricom to offer customer-centric products and services.

Safaricom employed Mulinge in February 2006 as prepay product manager and took up the position of director consumer business in March 2015. Before joining Safaricom, Mulinge worked for Unilever.

Collymore said Charles Wanjohi will replace Mulinge as the interim director where he will be reporting directly to the him. The announcement comes two months after former Safaricom CEO, Michael Joseph, left the Board of Vodacom Tanzania after seven years.

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