Telecom Network Malawi hires CEO from Vodacom SA

Telecom Network Malawi (TNM) plc has new chief executive officer (CEO) Douglas Stevenson who was MD at Vodacom Business Africa in South Africa and has served as finance director in various companies, including Vodacom Tanzania and Vodacom Mozambique. [caption id="attachment_95882" align="alignright" width="600"] Douglas Stevenson (right) during a cocktail reception held at Ryalls Hotel in Blantyre.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_95885" align="alignright" width="309"] TNN new CEO Douglas Stevenson[/caption] He has replaced Willem Swart after working for the listed telecommunications service provider for five years. Introducing Stevenson to the business community, TNM board chairperson Mathews Chikaonda, said the new CEO has been brought in to continue with the growth drive accelerated by Swart at TNM. “Stevenson brings to TNM vast knowledge and experience that the company needs to further its leadership position on the market,” said Chikaonda. And upbeat Stevenson said he strongly believes that “ TNM and, Malawi as an economy, has a bright future.” He said for TNM to excel in the tough economic environment, it will largely depend on how innovative the company is on the market and how fast it embraces the transition in the information and communication technology (ICT) framework. “For us to grow, we need to offer products that are customer-centred and leapfrog with the technologies. In the past, we used to be more prescriptive in our products development to our customers but now, we have to give what our customers need which is an enabler in doing business,” he said. Stevenson said as the world is fast moving into data, TNM will need to generate own content that is understood by the market while embracing new developments in the telecommunications sector.< According to outgoing MD Swart , TNM has invested $150 million (K84 billion) in the past five years which has improved the company’s profitability and increased the subscriber base. TNM is listed on the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE).