Globacom names telecom veteran Ahmad Farroukh as CEO
By Felicia Nwosu
Globacom, one of Nigeria’s leading multinational telecommunications providers, has appointed Ahmad Farroukh as its Chief Executive Officer. In this pivotal role, Farroukh is tasked with spearheading a comprehensive restructuring to drive the company’s growth and innovation agenda.
Before joining Globacom, he was Group CEO at Smile Communications Nigeria Limited. During his tenure, he was brought on by major shareholders to lead the company’s turnaround and implement extensive restructuring strategies. His latest appointment at Globacom aligns with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) directive to enhance corporate governance standards in the nation’s telecommunications industry.
The veteran business leader brings to Globacom over 30 years of distinguished leadership in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). His deep expertise spans the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sectors, where he has demonstrated a strong aptitude for transforming businesses within emerging markets. He is recognized for his strategic vision, keen market insights, and track record of driving operational success.
Throughout his career, the global figure has been valued for his exceptional communication skills and his ability to cultivate sustainable relationships with clients, vendors, and stakeholders across various levels. He has held several influential board and committee positions, including roles on investment, audit, procurement, governance, and restructuring committees. Known for his entrepreneurial leadership style, he excels at crafting strategic plans, fostering organizational growth, and implementing commercial initiatives that align with industry trends.
Starting his career in 1982 as a Supervisor at Oger International, the result-oriented fellow quickly advanced into finance, serving as Group Chief Accountant at Bankmed. His audit expertise was honed through senior roles with KPMG US and Deloitte as an Audit Supervisor. In 1999, Farroukh became the Managing Director of MTN Ghana and was later appointed as the regional director for West Africa under MTN’s Investcom.
His leadership trajectory continued as CEO of MTN Nigeria from 2006 to 2010, followed by his tenure as CEO of MTN South Africa in 2014. In 2015, he was appointed CEO of Mobily, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest telecom operator, where he served until 2017 before moving to Smile Communications Nigeria in 2019.
He holds an MBA in Business Administration and Accounting from the Lebanese American University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from New York, USA. Known for his skill in building high-performance, cross-functional teams. He combines strategic insight with a hands-on approach, making him a valuable leader in an evolving telecom landscape.
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