Dangote Industries has announced the appointment of Ralph Mupita, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Group, to the board of Dangote Fertiliser Limited, a major subsidiary of Dangote Industries headed by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote. The move highlights growing collaboration between Africa’s leading industrial conglomerate and one of its foremost telecommunications groups.

The appointment was confirmed in an official communication from Dangote Industries, which described Mupita’s inclusion on the board as part of its broader strategy to strengthen corporate governance, expand global expertise, and position Dangote Fertiliser Limited for accelerated growth. Mupita’s experience leading one of Africa’s largest companies is expected to contribute to refining the fertiliser company’s strategic direction amid rising demand for agricultural inputs across the continent.

Ralph Mupita became group chief executive officer of MTN Group, a pan‑African telecommunications giant, in September 2020. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer at MTN and held senior leadership roles at Old Mutual and South African Breweries. His appointment to the Dangote Fertiliser board signals a convergence of leadership talent between major African enterprises.

Dangote Fertiliser Limited, a unit of Dangote Industries, is central to the conglomerate’s ambition to transform Africa’s fertiliser landscape by boosting local production and reducing dependency on imports. In 2022, the company commissioned one of the world’s largest single‑train fertiliser plants in Lagos, with an annual production capacity of 3 million metric tonnes of urea and urea ammonium nitrate.

By bringing Mupita onto its board, Dangote Fertiliser Limited gains access to a C‑suite executive with deep experience in scaling large, regulated industries and aligning corporate strategy with emerging market dynamics. The fertiliser company’s leadership said Mupita’s insights into digital transformation, financial discipline, and stakeholder engagement will be particularly valuable as it continues to pursue operational excellence.

In a statement, Dangote Industries noted that Mupita’s appointment was part of ongoing efforts to deepen the company’s leadership bench strength. “His distinguished track record and global perspective will bolster our strategic oversight and governance frameworks,” the statement read. The company added that Mupita’s presence on the board would enhance understanding of risk, capital allocation, and strategic planning in sectors undergoing rapid change.

Industry analysts say the move comes at a time when African businesses are increasingly prioritising strong governance and diverse expertise on corporate boards to help navigate complex economic conditions. As Dangote Fertiliser continues to scale production and expand its market footprint, the ability to draw on global best practices in leadership and management is seen as an advantage.

Mupita’s appointment also reflects the trend of cross‑sector leadership mobility among Africa’s corporate elite. Executives with deep experience in telecommunications, finance, and industrial operations are being tapped to bring new perspectives to companies with broader economic impact, such as those in energy, infrastructure, and agriculture.

Dangote Fertiliser Limited is one of the continent’s most significant producers of nitrogen‑based fertiliser, and its products have become critical inputs for farmers across West and East Africa. The company’s plant near Lagos Free Trade Zone has contributed to lowering fertiliser prices in some markets by improving local availability and reducing logistics costs tied to imports.

The appointment of Mupita to the board comes at a time when global fertiliser markets remain volatile, with price fluctuations driven by geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and changes in energy costs. Local production capacity such as that of Dangote Fertiliser plays a key role in enhancing food security and agricultural productivity in countries that rely heavily on imports.

Agricultural economists say board decisions at companies like Dangote Fertiliser can have ripple effects across farming value chains. Strong corporate leadership helps ensure sustainable operations, competitive pricing, and strategic investments that support local agribusinesses and smallholder farmers.