Seasoned telecoms expert and technology business leader, Obafemi Banigbe, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (EMTS). The company operates as 9mobile.
Banigbe succeeds the outgoing CEO, Juergen Peschel, who will be retained as a Consultant to support the business transformation process initiated under his leadership.
He has extensive experience at the C-suite level and brings a profound comprehension of the intricate African business landscape, emphasizing the critical translation of business objectives and commercial imperatives into comprehensive strategies that drive successful execution.
Banigbe also has diverse international experience in transverses countries such as the United States and several African countries. He was previously the Managing Partner and Co-founder at Silver Rock Technology Services Ghana, a strategic advisory firm specialising in the Telecom, Media, and Technology sectors. He also served as a Non-Executive Director at Amplitude Telecoms, a tower infrastructure provider in Nigeria. As an Advisory Board member for Telecel Group, Banigbe played a pivotal role in guiding the group’s successful acquisition of Vodafone Ghana.
He has served as an advisor to Nsano Group, a leading Fintech platform operating across multiple African countries, and previously lent his expertise to the Kirusa group in New Jersey, USA, providing invaluable guidance on product development and market entry strategies.
Speaking about his appointment, Banigbe said, “The Nigerian telecoms industry is characterized by strong competition, but it is also an industry that provides opportunities for different stakeholders. I am delighted to join the 9mobile family and I look forward to using my experience and unique value propositions to lead the company in the next exciting phase of its journey. The goal is to build on the existing foundation of the company to create value that will transform the Nigerian telecoms sector.”
Also, commenting on the appointment, the Board of Directors of 9mobile said, “We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and the positive impact that Obafemi will have on shaping the future of 9mobile. He brings along the vision, passion and years of experience from diverse environments, which will consolidate our priorities to provide superior customer experience and sustained network quality. Obafemi is expected to work closely with the Board of Directors and all stakeholders to define credible and achievable long-term business plans, through the introduction of solutions to address the evolving needs of the Nigerian telecommunication market.”
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical/Computer Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Mina, an MBA in Engineering Business Management from the University of Manchester and an Advanced Management Programme, from London Business School.