Sylvia Wairimu Mulinge, a distinguished Kenyan businesswoman and corporate executive, currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Uganda, a role she assumed on October 1, 2022. Her appointment marked a significant milestone, as she became the first female CEO of MTN Uganda, bringing with her a wealth of experience in telecommunications, strategic leadership, and customer-centric innovation.
Before joining MTN Uganda, Mulinge had a notable 16-year tenure at Safaricom PLC, Kenya’s largest telecommunications company. She held various senior leadership positions, including Chief Consumer Business Officer, Chief Customer Officer, and Director of Consumer Business. In these roles, she was instrumental in driving customer-focused strategies and enhancing user experiences, contributing significantly to Safaricom’s growth in a highly competitive market.
Mulinge’s career began at Unilever, where she served as the Assistant Regional Brand Manager in the Laundry Division in Durban, South Africa, before moving to Nairobi, Kenya, as the Brand Manager for Sunlight, a prominent Unilever brand. This experience equipped her with invaluable skills in brand management, consumer insights, and market strategy, which she later applied in the telecommunications sector.
Born and raised in Kenya, Mulinge attended St. Xavier’s Primary School in Nakuru and Mary Mount Secondary School. She pursued higher education at the University of Nairobi, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology in 2000. Her academic background in science and technology, combined with her business acumen, has enabled her to thrive in corporate leadership roles.
Throughout her career, Sylvia Mulinge has been celebrated for her transformational leadership and strategic vision. In 2023, she was recognized among the top 45 most influential women in digital transformation in Africa by CIO Africa and among Uganda’s most outstanding CEOs by Business Times Uganda magazine. She is also a recipient of the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear in Kenya, an honor given for distinguished services to public dignitaries and exemplary professionals.
Her journey from brand management at Unilever to CEO of MTN Uganda reflects her dedication to growth, resilience, and impactful change in the African corporate landscape. Mulinge continues to be a source of inspiration, particularly to women in leadership, as she champions innovation and customer-focused solutions in the telecommunications industry.
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