9mobile Welcomes A New CEO

Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (EMTS), operating under the brand name 9mobile, has announced the appointment of Mr. Obafemi Banigbe as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The board approved Mr. Banigbe’s appointment, underscoring the company’s strategic move towards a new phase of business transformation.

He succeeds Mr. Juergen Peschel, who will continue to contribute as a consultant to support the ongoing transformation process initiated during his tenure.

Mr. Banigbe’s extensive experience at the executive level and his profound understanding of the African business landscape position him as a pivotal figure in translating business objectives into actionable strategies for 9mobile’s success.

His telecom career began at Celtel, now Airtel Nigeria, as Director of Operations, followed by various significant roles at Ericsson in Sub-Saharan Africa, eventually becoming Network Support Group Manager for Access and Transport Networks.

His previous roles include Chief Operations Officer at Millicom Ghana and interim CEO and Chief Technical Officer for both Millicom Ghana and Millicom International Cellular Tanzania. His international experience spans the United States and multiple African countries.

Mr. Banigbe co-founded Silver Rock Technology Services Ghana, a strategic advisory firm in the Telecom, Media, and Technology sectors. He also served as a Non-Executive Director at Amplitude Telecoms and an Advisory Board member for Telecel Group, where he played a key role in the acquisition of Vodafone Ghana. His advisory work extends to Nsano Group, a leading Fintech platform, and Kirusa Group in New Jersey, United States America (USA).

The board of EMTS expressed optimism about Mr. Banigbe’s appointment, highlighting his vision, passion, and diverse experience as crucial assets for enhancing customer experience and network quality.

Mr. Banigbe will collaborate closely with the board and stakeholders to define long-term business plans and introduce innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of the Nigerian telecommunications market.

The Nigerian telecom industry is fiercely competitive yet filled with opportunities, Mr. Banigbe said: “I am excited to join the 9mobile family and leverage my experience to lead the company into its next phase, building on its solid foundation to transform the telecom sector in Nigeria.

Mr. Banigbe holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria. He furthered his education through the Ericsson Management Development Program, the Advanced Management Program at the London Business School, and earned an MBA from Manchester Business School, U.K.