Irene Charnley Is The Founder And Deputy Chairman Of Smile Telecoms, A Pan-African Telecommunications Group

Loading player...
Irene Charnley is the Founder and Deputy Chairman of Smile Telecoms, a Pan-African telecommunications group established in 2007, with broadband operations in Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and a presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”).
Prior to establishing Smile, Irene was instrumental in transforming MTN Group into one of the most pre-eminent Telecoms operators in the Middle East and Africa region, through a few license companies’ acquisitions. She also led the management and staff buy-in of 18.7% in MTN, which was an entrepreneurial initiative independent of MTN and which saw thousands of MTN employees benefit from the structure at the time.
7 Nov 2019 11AM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

SA Vehicle Sales Hit Best April Since 2013

South Africa’s new vehicle market surged 13% year-on-year in April, even as exports slipped and fuel-driven cost pressures rose. Naamsa Chief Economist Dr. Paulina Mamogobo unpacks the data.
5 May 4PM 20 min

Taxi Fares Rise as Fuel Costs Surge

Taxi fares across SA are increasing by R2–R6 locally and up to R30 on long‑distance routes. SANTACO spokesperson Rebecca Phala discusses the pressures on operators, commuter impact, and what further hikes could mean.
5 May 4PM 12 min

Fuel Spending Drops 35%: What Discovery’s Data Reveals

Discovery Insure data shows a dramatic 35% drop in fuel spend and a 28% fall in transactions as motorists respond to April’s price hikes. CEO Robert Attwell explains the behavioral shifts, the rise of ride‑hailing, and what this means for mobility and affordability in SA.
5 May 4PM 13 min

How Fuel Prices Are Changing Car Buying in SA

Fuel is no longer just a running cost—it's reshaping how South Africans choose, afford, and finance their cars. WesBank Senior Economist Thanda Sithole explains shifting buyer behavior.
5 May 4PM 16 min

Rebuilding SA’s Industrial Base

Bridgestone SA MD Jacques Rikhotso warns that South Africa’s industrial foundations are eroding fast, with tire production falling sharply and imports surging past 10 million units. We explore what this means for jobs, competitiveness, and the urgent interventions needed to rebuild industrial resilience.
4 May 4PM 14 min