KAMPALA, Uganda — Sylvia Elsheikh has been named MTN Uganda’s new chief marketing officer, a pivotal role she will assume on July 14. Her appointment signals a strategic move for the telecommunications giant, bringing a wealth of experience from across the African telecom landscape to its top marketing position. Elsheikh replaces Somdev Sen, who is transitioning to new responsibilities within the MTN Group.
Elsheikh arrives at MTN Uganda with more than 18 years of experience spanning the telecommunications and commercial sectors. Her career is marked by deep expertise in marketing strategy, customer acquisition, product innovation and digital transformation.
Most recently, Elsheikh served as chief marketing officer at Airtel Zambia from 2022 to 2025. During her tenure there, she was instrumental in consolidating the company’s market leadership, achieving a value share exceeding 60%. She also spearheaded significant technological advancements, including the rollout of Zambia’s largest 5G and LTE TDD networks, and the successful launch of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services, which helped position Airtel as a technology leader in the Zambian market.
Prior to her work at Airtel, Elsheikh spent a significant period within the MTN family, holding various strategic positions at MTN Sudan. These roles included chief marketing officer from 2016 to 2022, senior manager for Segment Pricing & Acquisition from 2015 to 2016, and Value-Added Services (VAS) manager from 2011 to 2014. Her early career also involved technical roles in VAS and Core Network Planning at Sudani Telecom and Canar Telecom, both in Sudan.
“I am thrilled to return to the MTN family and excited to join MTN Uganda, a brand that stands tall for innovation, inclusion, and impact,” Elsheikh said. “I look forward to working with the talented team to continue delivering bold, relevant, and customer-focused marketing strategies that resonate with Uganda’s dynamic market.”
Sylvia Mulinge, MTN Uganda chief executive officer, welcomed the appointment, emphasizing Elsheikh’s qualifications. “Sylvia’s extensive regional experience, proven leadership, and passion for customer-centric marketing make her a valuable addition to our executive team,” Mulinge said. “We are confident she will play a key role in sustaining our market leadership and shaping the next phase of our growth.”
Academically, Elsheikh holds a Master of Science degree in Business Administration, specializing in Marketing Management, and a Bachelor of Science (Honors) degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. This combination of technical and commercial acumen is expected to be vital in driving MTN Uganda’s ambitious growth agenda, accelerating digital adoption and deepening customer engagement across all segments of the Ugandan market.
