Tamer El Mahdi | The CEO Magazine

Behind Tamer El Mahdi’s decision to take on the role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Egypt in 2025 was what he saw as a “unique opportunity” – the chance to shape the next stage of a company with a fundamental role to play in Egypt’s digital future.

“Telecom Egypt’s nationwide infrastructure, fixed and mobile capabilities, enterprise relationships and international connectivity provide a strong foundation for growth,” El Mahdi tells The CEO Magazine.

The opportunity, he continues, is to unlock the full value of these assets through better utilization, new growth engines and higher-value digital services, all while evolving Telecom Egypt beyond connectivity into a broader digital transformation partner providing a comprehensive portfolio of digital services to both consumer and enterprise customers.

Egypt’s network of networks

Telecom Egypt has a unique role and responsibility.

“It is not only the incumbent telecommunications operator; it is Egypt’s network of networks and a core enabler of the country’s digital ecosystem,” El Mahdi says.

Today, the company operates across six principal revenue streams: consumer, enterprise, outsourcing, international subsea cables, international carrier and domestic wholesale.

“Our ambition is to operate with world-class network performance, service quality, resilience and operational excellence while competing at a global level,” he says.

The aim is to combine the scale, reach and strategic responsibility of a national operator with the innovation capabilities, agility and execution standards of a leading global technology company.

“We are building a Telecom Egypt that Egyptians can be proud of, one that delivers advanced connectivity and digital services, supports business growth and economic modernization and leverages Egypt’s strategic position to serve regional and international markets,” he adds.

El Mahdi brings over 30 years of experience leading technology and telecommunications businesses across multiple markets to the role. This includes a decade at AT&T in the United States and 20 years with Orascom Telecom where he held several senior leadership positions, including Group CEO.

In 2020, he founded Terrawaves Technologies and Trade Globe, focusing on 5G networks, fintech solutions and consultancy services across several international markets. These ventures, alongside qualifications including an MBA in International Business from Maastricht School of Management, further strengthened his experience in business transformation, financial management, mergers and acquisitions, and operational optimization.

Growth priorities

At the end of 2025, El Mahdi established a clear strategic roadmap for the Group’s next phase of growth, centered on four key growth priorities.

First is the acceleration of the transformation of its access networks. In fixed broadband, the company is expanding fiber to the hub and progressively migrating from legacy copper to fiber-based infrastructure. In mobile, it will maximize the deployment and utilization of 5G to support growing consumer, enterprise and digital demand.

“Second, we will scale our data center, cloud and AI-ready infrastructure businesses,” he explains. “Our dedicated, wholly owned data center company will provide the flexibility to serve customers ranging from local enterprises to hyperscalers and become the Group’s seventh strategic revenue stream.”

By leveraging Egypt’s strategic location and international connectivity, El Mahdi believes its data center business can further capture the growing demand for cloud, AI and digital infrastructure.

Third is strengthening Egypt’s position as the leading digital corridor connecting Asia and Africa with Europe by expanding the reach, diversity and resilience of its international subsea and terrestrial networks and delivering seamless, high capacity connectivity across these regions.

In line with this growth priority, Telecom Egypt recently announced the signing of an agreement to construct the Sharm El Sheikh–Taba subsea cable.

“Finally, we will move beyond connectivity by expanding integrated digital propositions across our consumer, enterprise and public sector customer base,” he says.

Progress is reflected in strong financial and market performance. In the first half of 2026, revenue grew 17.4 percent year-on-year, EBITDA increased 20 percent and net profit rose 47 percent. These figures, he says, reflect the strength of Telecom Egypt’s underlying business and the momentum of its transformation.

In September, the company announced its inclusion in the FTSE Emerging Markets Index following its upgrade within the FTSE Global Equity Index Series from the Small Cap to the Mid Cap segment, becoming one of only three Egyptian companies represented in the index.

Scaling success

For El Mahdi, these milestones reflect growing confidence in the company’s financial strength, disciplined capital management and value creation. His view on long-term success involves creating sustainable value and building a Telecom Egypt that is stronger, more competitive and better positioned for the future.

“I see success through three dimensions: scale, strengthen and transform,” he explains.

“For Telecom Egypt’s customers, that means scaling simple, reliable and relevant digital services. For its people, it means strengthening accountability, capabilities and performance, while creating opportunities to grow. For shareholders, it means transforming its growth profile through profitable growth, disciplined investment and a more diversified revenue base.”

Success is measured through customer experience, growth in digital and enterprise services, revenue diversification, operational and financial performance and employee engagement.

Beyond internal targets, however, El Mahdi says success means leveraging Telecom Egypt’s extensive capabilities and national infrastructure to continuously advance the country’s telecommunications and digital technology services.

“The objective is to enable modernization and growth for consumers and businesses of all sizes across every sector of the Egyptian economy,” he says.

“Accordingly, Telecom Egypt’s transformation extends well beyond the company’s own customers and shareholders. It supports the advancement of Egypt’s telecommunications and digital services ecosystem as a whole, creating value for businesses, public institutions and all Egyptians, while positioning Telecom Egypt as a leading regional digital infrastructure and technology services group.”