Econet Wireless Global unit Liquid Telecom has appointed former Vodafone Group executive Kyle Whitehill to head up South African telecommunications operator Neotel and oversee the company’s expansion plans.

Whitehill was previously CEO of Vodafone Qatar and Vodafone Ghana and will replace interim head Nic Rudnick at Neotel, which Liquid acquired for R6,5bn from India’s Tata Communications last year.

Neotel’s plans to boost market share and add services under new ownership makes it a good time to join the Johannesburg-based company, Whitehill said in an e-mailed response to questions.

“Neotel will for the first time become a truly pan-African player with access to an extensive network footprint across the continent, giving us a stronger competitive edge in South Africa and beyond,” he said.

Whitehill will oversee plans to upgrade Neotel’s network, enabling more customers to access high-speed, reliable connectivity across South Africa, the company said.

Liquid completed the purchase of Neotel in December and is now considering a sale of shares on a stock market.

The deal gave Econet Wireless the ability to supply broadband to South African businesses and homes as well as 50 000km of cross-border fibre networks.