LUSAKA – MTN Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Lambertus (Bart) Hofker as MTN Zambia Chief Executive Officer effective 1st October 2019 taking over from Philip van Dalsen who resigned in July 2019.

Bart Hofker brings over two decades of experience to the new role, having previously worked in senior leadership roles transforming telecom and energy businesses in emerging and advanced markets. Prior to this appointment, Hofker was the CEO of MTN Rwanda for three years, where he successfully accelerated fintech adoption, data monetization and completed network transformation. He has a track record of success in various telecom and energy companies such as Vodacom, Vodafone, KPN and Nuon Vattenfall.

Hofker holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Economics and Business Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Commenting on his appointment, Bart Hofker said: “I am delighted and honoured to be given the opportunity to lead MTN Zambia into its next era. The company already has an excellent leadership team and I look forward to working with them to position MTN Zambia as the partner-of-choice for our customers, our employees and our stakeholders.”

MTN Group Vice President, Southern, Eastern Africa and Ghana (SEAGHA) Region, Ebenezer Asante said, “Bart Hofker has a clear mandate to steer MTN Zambia into the next phase of business growth and expansion. He is a passionate people manager and an ardent believer in the potential of the African continent. As a business, we are pleased to have him at the helm of the Zambian operation, and we believe in his abilities to deliver on our mandate of bringing the benefits of a modern connected life to all people. As MTN Group, we will always strive to be a true friend of the Zambian people as we work with the Zambian government in the realization of the national economic transformation of Zambia.”

In welcoming Hofker, Minister of Transport and Communications, Honourable. Mutotwe Kafwaya said, “as Government, we have very high expectations from MTN Zambia and we are convinced that as a country, we will greatly benefit from the experience and expertise that Mr. Hofker brings with him. Our key priority areas in implementing the Seventh National Development Plan are economic diversification and employment creation.”