He was previously the chief executive MTN Cyprus. Verkade replaces Christian de Faria‚ who retires in January after six years with the company.
MTN Group's chief executive Sifiso Dabengwa‚ says Verkade's appointment is a sign of confidence in the pool of talent within the company.
"The fact that we are able to fill this strategic position with one of our own speaks volumes of the richness of MTN's leadership and the strides we are making by creating an environment that recognises performance excellence.
"Verkade is a hard-working and well-accomplished executive who gets the job done," Dabengwa said.
In his new role‚ Verkade will be responsible for the strategic direction of innovation‚ products and services strategies‚ as well as marketing.
"His appointment comes at a critical point for MTN‚ as our operating environment is changing fast. We have entered a phase where network operators have to compete on more than just products and services," Dabengwa added.
Verkade's telecommunications experience spans developed and emerging markets in Europe and Africa.
Prior to becoming the chief executive of MTN Cyprus‚ the Mediterranean country's second largest mobile operator‚ he was the executive for commercial strategy and mobile money.
He was responsible for the growth and deployment of MTN Mobile Money in 15 markets. The mobile money portfolio has gained 8.2m customers since it launched in Uganda four years ago.
As chief marketing officer for MTN SA for a two years from 2008‚ Verkade contributed to the strengthening of MTN's competitive position in the mobile market.
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