MTN names new CEO - report

Johannesburg - MTN Group has appointed Mteto Nyati to lead its South African business, promoting the former Microsoft executive to run the wireless carrier’s second-biggest unit, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Nyati succeeds Ahmad Farroukh at the Johannesburg-based carrier, the people said. Farroukh resigned last week to join Etihad Etisalat as CEO, citing personal reasons, the company said at the time.

Nyati joined MTN in 2014 as group chief enterprise officer. He was previously Microsoft's managing director of the company’s South African business and general manager of the Middle East and Africa.

MTN, Africa's largest wireless operator, has been battling labour union-led strikes over pay and bonuses in its home market, where sales have declined because of competition and price cuts imposed by regulators.

Bridget Bhengu, an MTN South Africa spokesperson, declined to comment.