JTI appoints Abdallah Simba as new GM for Nigeria

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has announced the appointment of Abdallah Simba as the new General Manager of its Nigerian operations, effective May 1, 2025.

The appointment marks a strategic move by the company to strengthen its presence and accelerate growth in one of Africa’s key markets.

Abdallah brings nearly 20 years of commercial, marketing, and strategic leadership experience to the role, having served across various geographies and within JTI’s global headquarters in Geneva.

He began his journey with JTI in 2005 in Tanzania, starting in Marketing, and subsequently moved on to an international assignment in Ireland in 2009. Over the years, he assumed increasing responsibilities, particularly in Sales and Trade Marketing leadership roles.

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In 2013, Abdallah joined JTI’s Global Commercial Strategy division in Geneva. During his tenure there, he spearheaded initiatives to optimize business models, enhance market strategies, and build commercial capabilities across multiple regions.

His strategic insight and global exposure have played a significant role in shaping commercial excellence within the company.

Prior to his new role in Nigeria, Abdallah served as Country Manager for JTI Slovakia. Under his leadership, the Slovakian business saw robust multicategory growth and operational enhancements, positioning it for long-term success.

Abdallah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business from Southern New Hampshire University.

Commenting on his new role, Abdallah expressed enthusiasm about joining the Nigerian team: “I am delighted to lead JTI Nigeria at this time. Nigeria is an important market with tremendous potential, and I look forward to working with the amazing team here to continue to grow our business in a sustainable manner.”

Abdallah succeeds Thomas Adams, who has successfully led the Nigerian operations for the past four years.

His appointment underscores JTI’s long-term commitment to the Nigerian market and its ambition to drive sustainable and responsible business growth across the region.