THE business world was rocked by the untimely death of Sifiso Dabengwa, a towering figure in African telecommunications and one of the continent’s most influential business leaders. Dabengwa, best known for his transformative tenure as CEO of MTN Group from 2011 to 2015, lost his battle with cancer on Sunday.
Family spokesperson Themba Sibanyoni announced the news “with deep sorrow,” sparking an outpouring of tributes from across Africa and beyond. “Sifiso Dabengwa was more than a CEO; he was a visionary who reshaped the landscape of African telecommunications,” Sibanyoni stated.
Born in Zimbabwe, Dabengwa’s rise to the pinnacle of African business was marked by his sharp intellect and unwavering commitment to innovation. Armed with a BSc in Electrical Engineering and an MBA, he steered MTN Group – Africa’s largest mobile network operator – through a period of unprecedented growth and technological advancement.
“Dabengwa’s legacy extends far beyond the boardroom,” Sibanyoni emphasized. “He was a passionate advocate for education and firmly believed in technology’s power to transform lives across the continent.”
The business titan’s career was not without controversy. His departure from MTN in 2015 came amid a high-stakes regulatory battle with Nigerian authorities over unregistered SIM cards, resulting in a staggering $5.2 billion fine. Dabengwa’s decision to step down “in the interest of the company and its shareholders” demonstrated his commitment to corporate responsibility, even in the face of personal cost.
In the years following his MTN tenure, Dabengwa continued to shape African industry, serving on the board of South African power utility Eskom and working with IT company Gijima. His expertise and leadership were sought after by organizations looking to navigate the complex landscape of African business and technology.
Today we lost a brother and a great human ex MTN Group CEO Sifiso Dabengwa. Dearest SD thank you for the time and your counsel. Many years after we all left MTN SD would still make the time to take a call, for coffee. Sifiso has a special chapter in the story of MTN. #RIP ?????? pic.twitter.com/TPwWYpX8pB
— Philisiwe SIBIYA (@Phili_Sibiya) September 1, 2024
As news of Dabengwa’s passing spreads, tributes are pouring in from business leaders, politicians, and ordinary citizens whose lives were touched by his work. Many point to his role in expanding mobile connectivity across Africa, a transformation that has had profound economic and social impacts.
Dabengwa leaves behind his wife and four children, as well as a continent forever changed by his vision and leadership. As Africa mourns one of its brightest business minds, the challenge now falls to a new generation of leaders to build upon the foundation laid by this pioneering figure.
In the words of a former colleague, “Sifiso Dabengwa didn’t just run a company; he helped connect a continent. His loss will be felt far beyond the corporate world.”
