Chief Technology and Information Officer.Bayobab

MTN Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 734,000 - 1,102,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital infrastructure provider in Dubai seeks a Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO) to ensure technology solutions drive business growth across Africa. The role demands 15+ years of experience in telecommunications with significant leadership experience. As CTIO, you will oversee technology strategy, manage substantial financial portfolios, and lead a team of professionals to enhance service offerings and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in telecommunications, with at least 10 years in executive technology leadership.
• Experience in managing large-scale technology programs.
• Recognised Technology leader in the Telecommunication industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and operations of network and IT architectures.
• Oversee Technology governance processes and performance.
• Manage a financial portfolio of $150m CAPEX and $25m OPEX annually.

Skills

Telecommunication Networks knowledge

Cloud and Edge computing

Crisis management

Creativity in technical solutions

Commercial acumen

Education

4-year Academic Degree in Engineering or Technology

Master’s Degree - MBA/MSc

Job description

Mission / Core purpose of the Job

The Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO) at MTN Digital Infrastructure – Bayobab Group provides visionary leadership for technology and information systems in the Bayobab Group and affiliates, ensuring that infrastructure and digital capabilities become a key enabler of business growth across Africa.

The CTIO is accountable for :

• Leading the planning, engineering, deployment, maintenance, and operations of Bayobab’s networks and IT systems providing Network and Infrastructure services to ~300 million customers across the African Continent and connecting to global carriers, OTTs, and hyperscalers.
• Delivering services across fixed and mobile, wholesale mobility (voice, roaming, messaging, signalling, interconnect, IoT, VAS, …), and all associated tools supporting these systems.
• Manging and building Infrastructure services including subsea solutions, long-distance terrestrial fibre systems, TowerCo, satellites, and AI-grade data centers.
• Managing the Information Systems portfolio including OSS, BSS, ERP, BI, middleware, and cybersecurity platforms.
• Designing and implementing the Technology roadmap in alignment with MTN Group guidelines, covering areas such as virtualization, automation, cloud / edge, NaaS, PaaS, and cybersecurity.
• Leading a Technology organization of 150 professionals (Managers & Specialists) and influencing technical teams across MTN markets (1000+ engineers).
• Managing a financial portfolio of $150m CAPEX and $25m OPEX annually.
• Driving innovation and human capital development to ensure Bayobab remains Africa’s leading digital infrastructure provider.
• Responsible for managing all aspects of the customer experience, Technology vendors and partners.

Context

MTN Digital Infrastructure - Bayobab Group is entering a transformative phase where Technology Leadership is essential for sustained growth and success.

The CTIO is expected to lead all technology solutions and services to ensure business growth through investment in technology solution and infrastructure services. This CTIO role requires a strong understanding of Technology, Customer needs and business requirements leveraging emerging technologies including AI, cloud and cybersecurity.

Bayobab Group’s Vision

Bayobab is a subsidiary of MTN Group which is strategically positioning itself as the foremost provider of digital infrastructure across Africa, leveraging its connectivity and FinTech businesses to drive digital transformation. The CTIO plays a pivotal role in expanding Bayobab Group’s Infrastructure footprint, ensuring the company becomes the go-to platform for hyperscalers, enterprises, and government entities seeking world-class colocation and cloud solutions.

Growth of Africa’s Data Economy and Digital Services Demand

Africa is experiencing unprecedented digital adoption, fueled by increasing mobile penetration, cloud adoption, AI applications, and FinTech growth. As businesses and governments accelerate data localization and shift towards high-performance computing (HPC), Bayobab’s Group business is positioned to bridge the infrastructure gap and provide scalable, secure, and sustainable digital services.

Leveraging MTN’s Pan-African Reach and Network Capabilities

Bayobab Group vast terrestrial, submarine, and Fixed network infrastructure provides a competitive advantage in delivering low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity to Data Centers. This CTIO play key role in integrating network and data center capabilities to create a seamless digital infrastructure offering for enterprises, FinTechs, and hyperscalers across Africa.

Driving Sustainable and Efficient Digital Infrastructure Operations

Sustainability and energy efficiency are critical for Bayobab Group’s Data center strategy. With the power challenges, the company is investing in renewable energy solutions, innovative cooling technologies, and carbon-neutral strategies to ensure long-term cost efficiency and environmental impact reduction. The CTIO leads initiatives to optimize power usage effectiveness and ensure Data Centers set new industry standards for sustainability in Africa.

Key Performance Areas

Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)

Technology Strategy & Innovation

• Develop and implement Bayobab’s Technology & Information Systems roadmap in alignment with MTN Group strategy.
• Anticipate and integrate emerging technologies (AI, cloud, cyber security, virtualization, NaaS / PaaS, IoT) to support business growth.
• Provide the Executive Committee with insights on disruptive technologies and their impact on the business.
• Responsible for identifying the Technology innovations that will form part of the services for the next decade and growing human capital skills.
• Ensure wide scale deployment of automation, AI and operational best practice to ensure world-class services to customers.

Network & Infrastructure Operations

• Lead the planning, design, deployment, and operations of resilient network and IT architectures (fixed, mobile, data centers, subsea fiber, satellites, TowerCo, power solutions).
• Ensure high availability, redundancy, and service quality across all platforms serving wholesale, enterprise, and retail customers.
• Oversee delivery and enhancement of infrastructure supporting products and services.
• Implement a robust network management strategy.

Technology Governance & Performance

• Establish and enforce operating systems, governance processes, and performance frameworks in line with best practice and MTN Group standards.
• Monitor technology performance, identify risks, and implement risk management compliance processes and procedures.
• Chair / participate in strategic technology committees and provide direction for decision-making.
• Lead escalations and crisis management for high customer-impacting incidents and service issues.

Financial & Resource Management

• Oversee and Manage the Technology Division’s financial resources and budgets
• Drive initiatives to reduce cost of operations through a least-cost operating model.
• Allocate resources effectively to balance cost efficiency and innovation.
• Oversee forecasting, project budgets, and OpCo contributions where required.

People Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead a high-performing technology team of ~150 professionals, ensuring role clarity, succession planning, and career development.
• Build organizational capability by driving training, mentorship, and knowledge transfer.
• Promote diversity, inclusion, and employee engagement within the Technology Division.

Stakeholder & Customer Engagement

• Partner and collaborate with internal stakeholders (CEO, ExCo, FiberCo MDs, MTN Group Technology leaders) to deliver aligned solutions.
• Manage escalations from customers and internal teams, ensuring timely resolution.
• Build strong relationships with regulators, carriers, hyperscalers, cloud providers and other external partners.

Job Requirements

Education, Experience and Competencies

Education

• Minimum 4-year Academic Degree in Engineering, Technology or related field
• Master’s Degree - MBA / MSc. (Business discipline preferred).

Experience

• 15+ years in telecommunications, with at least 10 years in executive in communication and technology leadership roles.
• Experience and Track record in Global wholesale services, fiber rollout, TowerCo, satellite, and data center and power solutions deployment
• Proven experience managing large-scale technology programs and influencing technical teams.
• Work across diverse cultures and geographies
• Experience in B2B and enterprise solutions within telecommunications or digital infrastructure.
• Recognised Technology leader in the Telecommunication industry through international awards and Membership in Academic bodies

Competencies

• Deep and wide knowledge of Telecommunication Networks and Information systems, across Mobile networks, Fixed-line networks and Information technology domains
• Deep and wide knowledge of Global Technology best practices and trends, including but not limited to 5G, Fixed / Mobile, fiber design / planning, capacity management, service convergence, System virtualization and automation, Cloud and Edge computing, Data Center management, Cyber security, Business Intelligence and Data Analytics.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing complex Technology strategies and large-scale programmes
• Ability to think creatively and design non-traditional technical solutions to complex business challenges
• Proven track record on operational management of technical teams with 1000+ engineers
• Strong organisational awareness
• Sound commercial acumen with an understanding of the impact of Technology outputs on revenue generation
• Crisis management

Other Requirements

• Regional and international travel.
• Ability to adapt to changing business requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Global mindset to service worldwide operations
• Attitude of Technical innovation & thought leadership to the organisation
• Multi-cultural experience
• Multi-country operations oversight experience

Collaboration

• MTN Digital Infrastructure - Bayobab Group CEO
• Bayobab Group CTIO’s direct reports.
• CCPBO , CFbO, and the rest of Excom
• FiberCo MD’s
• MTN Group and Operating Units Technology CTIOs