Vodacom: Segun Ogunsanya Appointed to JSE Board as Independent Director

• Vodacom announced board changes, including the upcoming retirement of chairman Saki Macozoma in July 2027, to be succeeded by Khumo Shuenyane.
• Naspers South Africa CEO Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa will retire from the Vodacom board on October 8.
• Segun Ogunsanya has been appointed as an independent non-executive director, effective October 9, bringing over 35 years of leadership experience.
• Ogunsanya previously served as group CEO of Airtel Africa and held senior roles at Coca-Cola operations and Ecobank Transnational.
• Clive Thomson will become chairman of the remuneration committee on October 9, while retaining his role as chairman of the audit, risk, and compliance committee.

This strategic move brings a wealth of experience to the JSE-listed telecommunications giant.

Vodacom, South Africa's leading mobile network operator and a company listed on the JSE, has announced significant changes to its board of directors, driven in part by its internal policy of a ten-year tenure limit for board members. The most prominent change involves the upcoming departure of current chairman Saki Macozoma, who has served on the board since July 2017. He is slated to retire and step down at the annual general meeting scheduled for July 20, 2027.

Following Macozoma's retirement, Khumo Shuenyane, currently serving as the lead independent director, is set to assume the chairmanship of the company. This appointment will become effective the day after Macozoma's departure, on July 21, 2027. Vodacom expressed its gratitude to Mr. Macozoma for his dedicated leadership and substantial contributions since 2017, highlighting his oversight of the Vision 2025 strategy's implementation and the initiation of the Vision 2030 strategy, both of which have marked a transformative period for the business.

In another board alteration, Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, who holds the position of CEO for Naspers South Africa, will retire from her board role on October 8. Ms. Mahanyele-Dabengwa, appointed to the board on January 1, 2019, previously chaired the remuneration committee and was a member of the nomination committee. Vodacom acknowledged her material contributions during her tenure.

A key new addition to Vodacom's leadership is the Vodacom Segun Ogunsanya JSE board appointment. Mr. Ogunsanya will join as an independent non-executive director, with his appointment becoming effective on October 9. This strategic move brings a wealth of experience to the JSE-listed telecommunications giant.

Before his retirement in June 2024, Segun Ogunsanya held the prominent position of group chief executive officer and managing director of Airtel Africa. This FTSE 100-listed multinational operates in 14 African countries, providing mobile telecommunications and financial services, underscoring his deep familiarity with the continental market. His career prior to joining Airtel in 2012 included significant leadership roles within the Coca-Cola system, such as managing director of the Nigerian Bottling Company (a Coca-Cola Hellenic operation), CEO of Coca-Cola Sabco in Kenya, and general manager of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Ghana. Furthermore, he served as a group head at Ecobank Transnational, where he oversaw the bank's retail operations across 28 African nations.

Academically, Ogunsanya holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and was later awarded an honorary Doctor of Science in computer science education from Tai Solarin University of Education. He is also a distinguished fellow of several professional bodies, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Institute of Credit Administration, and the Institute of Directors (Nigeria). Beyond his corporate roles, Ogunsanya chairs the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, which manages Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund with a focus on economic stabilization, infrastructure development, and future generations' prosperity. He also serves on the board of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group and was an independent non-executive director for Optasia, a JSE-listed fintech entity. Vodacom confirmed that a "fit and proper" assessment was conducted for Mr. Ogunsanya, in full compliance with paragraph 6.73 of the JSE Listings Requirements, and the board expressed satisfaction with the outcome.

In addition to the new independent non-executive director, Vodacom announced a change within its committee structures. Effective October 9, Clive Thomson will take on the chairmanship of the remuneration committee. Mr. Thomson will continue to serve as the chairman of the audit, risk, and compliance committee, maintaining continuity in that crucial oversight function. These board adjustments come as Vodacom continues to implement its long-term strategic visions, building upon the foundations laid by departing members and integrating new expertise to guide its future trajectory in the competitive telecommunications landscape. The company's commitment to its self-imposed tenure limits ensures a regular refresh of its leadership, aligning with best corporate governance practices.

Source: Original reporting via the provided source.