MTN Group CEO Passes Away after Prolonged Battle with Cancer

By Iyojo Ameh

Sifiso Dabengwa, the former CEO of MTN Group, has reportedly died after a prolonged battle with cancer. According to recent reports, Dabengwa passed away on Monday morning.

Dabengwa, originally from Zimbabwe, served as the CEO of MTN Group from March 2011 until 2015.

His tenure was marked by a significant controversy when he resigned amid efforts to resolve a substantial fine of ₦1.04 trillion imposed by Nigerian authorities. The fine was related to MTN’s failure to disconnect over five million customers with unregistered SIM cards.

Before his role at MTN Group, Dabengwa also had a brief stint as CEO of MTN Nigeria, a position he held until 2006.

The news of his passing has been confirmed by Themba Sibanyoni, a spokesperson for Dabengwa’s family, according to South African media sources.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Monday, Sibanyoni said: “Dabengwa was a titan in the telecommunications industry and an astute businessman. His tenure as CEO of MTN Group from 2011 to 2015 was marked by visionary leadership, integrity, and dedication that drove significant advancements in the industry”.

Sibanyoni said Dabengwa left a legacy that extends far beyond the boardroom.

“He was an advocate for education and a fervent believer in the power of technology to transform lives,” he praised the deceased.

A senior executive at MTN, who verified the news of the passing at the company’s headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, expressed that MTN received the announcement with profound shock and sorrow.

She remarked that the entire MTN community is in a state of mourning, given that Dabengwa remained a part of the MTN family after leading the telecommunications giant for several impactful years.