Seasoned Senior Manager with 20+ years of expertise in ICT, fintech, and telecommunications, driving digital transformation, AI innovation, and financial inclusion across emerging markets. Proven success in leading multi-million-dollar initiatives to boost smartphone adoption, 4G rollout, and AI-powered credit solutions, enhancing Vodacom’s leadership. Adept at leveraging AI/ML, financial modelling, and cross-functional collaboration to optimise sales, credit risk, and enterprise growth. Strategic partner to global institutions and technology leaders, scaling digital ecosystems and alternative finance models. Academic contributor, bridging industry practice with research.
Hi, I’m
Mfanasibili Ngwenya
Commercial Management
Pretoria
Summary
Overview
16
years of professional experience
9
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Vodacom Group
Senior Manager: Portfolio and Commercial Management
06.2022 - Current
Job overview
- Led pan-African smartphone device financing expansion across 8 markets, deploying ML credit models using alternative data to drive financial inclusion for millions of unbanked users, accelerating 4G adoption.
- Established strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, ensuring long-term partnerships and repeat business.
- Held monthly meetings to create business plans and workshops to drive successful business.
- Provided strong leadership to enhance team productivity and morale.
University of South Africa
Academic Independent Contractor and Examiner (Part-Time Lecturer)
06.2021 - Current
Job overview
- Lectured ICT for Development, Research Methodologies, and Project Management for Software Development modules and supervised research students
- Marked and evaluated academic performance, aligning academic training with industry demands for real-world digital challenges.
University of the Witwatersrand
External Examiner: Machine Learning Course (ELEN4025A)
06.2023 - 12.2023
Job overview
- Audited Machine Learning curricula for industry alignment, providing strategic guidance on course design and assessments to bridge academic and enterprise needs.
- Partnered with faculty to embed digital transformation case studies into AI/ML programs, enhancing real-world relevance.
Vodacom
Senior Manager: CIoT Channel Partners & Portfolio Management
04.2020 - 05.2022
Job overview
- Spearheaded Vodacom’s IoT expansion (smart home, wearables, mobility).
- Drove sales enablement through training and cross-functional IoT commercialization, aligning with enterprise digital roadmaps.
- Implemented and developed operational standards, policies and procedures.
Vodafone Global Enterprise
Senior Manager – VGE Sales
05.2018 - 03.2020
Job overview
- Drove R650M+ annual revenue growth via optimized sales execution, predictive churn/lead models, and IoT/cloud solution integration, securing multimillion-rand enterprise contracts in key sectors.
- Advised C-suite on go-to-market tactics, customer segmentation, and global partnerships, aligning sales processes with automation to accelerate decision-making and market expansion.
- Established operational policies and client relationships, ensuring repeat business and seamless adoption of fixed business solutions.
Vodacom
Senior Manager: Solution Architecture
05.2015 - 04.2018
Job overview
- Spearheaded Vodacom’s enterprise solutions strategy, driving B2B digital transformation and IT infrastructure innovation to deliver competitive advantage for clients.
- Built high-performance architecture teams through mentoring, hiring, and technical training, aligning talent with strategic growth goals.
- Fostered cross-functional collaboration (sales, product, technical teams) to design customer-centric solutions, boosting sales performance and retention.
- Produced technical roadmaps, whitepapers, and enablement programs to accelerate customer adoption and solution success.
Vodacom
Senior Solutions Architect
01.2009 - 04.2015
Job overview
- Mentored solution architecture teams (juniors, graduates, interns), driving innovation and aligning IT strategy with corporate objectives to optimize client infrastructure.
- Delivered cost savings for enterprise clients via Vodacom’s fixed services such as Hosted IP PBX cloud, MPLS, and cybersecurity frameworks.
- Translated VGE customer needs into scalable digital roadmaps, securing contracts through tailored RFI/RFP responses and hybrid network solutions.
- Partnered with sales teams to craft high-value, data-driven technology strategies, boosting client retention and service differentiation.
Education
University of South AfricaPretoria, South Africa
Ph.D. from Information Science
01.2018 - 06.2020
University Overview
University of PretoriaPretoria, South Africa
Master of Science from Engineering Management
01.2014 - 06.2016
University Overview
University of Pretoria's Gordon Institute of Business ScienceJohannesburg, South Africa
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA)
01.2011 - 12.2011
University Overview
Richmond, The American International University in LondonLondon, United Kingdom
BSc (Hons) from Computing: Computer Engineering with Combined Studies
09.2000 - 12.2003
University Overview
Skills
Timeline
External Examiner: Machine Learning Course (ELEN4025A)
University of the Witwatersrand
06.2023 - 12.2023
Senior Manager: Portfolio and Commercial Management
Vodacom Group
06.2022 - Current
Academic Independent Contractor and Examiner (Part-Time Lecturer)
University of South Africa
06.2021 - Current
Senior Manager: CIoT Channel Partners & Portfolio Management
Vodacom
04.2020 - 05.2022
Senior Manager – VGE Sales
Vodafone Global Enterprise
05.2018 - 03.2020
University of South Africa
Ph.D. from Information Science
01.2018 - 06.2020
Senior Manager: Solution Architecture
Vodacom
05.2015 - 04.2018
University of Pretoria
Master of Science from Engineering Management
01.2014 - 06.2016
University of Pretoria's Gordon Institute of Business Science
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA)
01.2011 - 12.2011
Senior Solutions Architect
Vodacom
01.2009 - 04.2015
Richmond, The American International University in London
BSc (Hons) from Computing: Computer Engineering with Combined Studies
09.2000 - 12.2003
Other Formal Education
Other Formal Education
- North-West University, 11/2021 - 05/2022, Telecommunications Masterclass with Special Focus on Internet of Things
- University of Cape Town, 06/2020 - 10/2020, Certificate in Data Science – Passed with Distinction
- North-West University, 10/2017 - 07/2018, Business Acumen in Telecommunications – Passed with Distinction
Other Formal Education
Other Formal Education
- North-West University, 11/2021 - 05/2022, Telecommunications Masterclass with Special Focus on Internet of Things
- University of Cape Town, 06/2020 - 10/2020, Certificate in Data Science
- North-West University, 10/2017 - 07/2018, Business Acumen in Telecommunications
Publications
Publications
- Credit Scoring in Africa: Employing Logistic Regression on Alternative Data, 11/2024, 2024 4th International Conference on Electrical, Computer, Communications and Mechatronics Engineering (ICECCME), IEEE
- Data trust in Consumer Internet of Things assemblages in the mobile and fixed telecommunication operators in South Africa, Ngwenya, M., Ngoepe, M., 2022, South African Journal of Information Management, 24
- Personal Data and the Assemblage Security in Consumer Internet of Things, Ngoepe, M., Ngwenya, M., 2022, International Journal of Information Security and Privacy (IJISP), 16, 1, 1-20
- A framework for data security, privacy, and trust in 'consumer internet of things' assemblages in South Africa, Ngwenya, M., Ngoepe, M., 2020, Security and Privacy, 3, e122
- Achieving a Sustained Competitive Advantage in the South African Telecommunications Sector, Ngwenya, M., 2017, Universal Journal of Management, 5, 6, 278-290, IAMOT 2017 (26th International Association of Management of Technology) conference, Vienna, Austria
- Analysing service quality using customer expectations and perceptions in the South African telecommunication industry, Ngwenya, M., 12/2017, Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM), 2017 IEEE International Conference, 1094-1097, Singapore
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