Hits Group appoints Africa CEO

El Lahham brings over 10 years' C-level experience in managing telecommunications operations in Africa and other emerging markets. He is to head a new management team tasked with driving Hits' aggressive growth strategy in the continent.

"I am proud to be able to name Talaat as Hits Africa's new CEO. His deep experience of the African communications market, together with his pragmatic and results-oriented approach to managing sound operations in challenging environments is precisely the mixture of qualities we believe is critical to the company moving forwards," said Dr. Mohammed Bahabri, Vice-Chairman of the Hits Group.

El Lahham was previously Chairman and CEO of South African mobile operator Cell C, where he was responsible for taking the company from its license bid through to the launch of services 21 weeks later and then on to becoming a 2,000-strong, about $1bn revenue company with over 3 million subscribers. Prior to leading Cell C, El Laham worked with Ogero on the corporatisation o f the Lebanese national fixed line telecommunications operator. His time with the Saudi Oger group of companies saw him taking leadership roles in a number of major group companies.

"Hits Group is a visionary company that has the energy, experience and financial capabilities to drive a strong and value-driven business in Africa," said El Lahham. "I believe that, together, we can build vital and dynamic companies that offer better ways to communicate for people across the continent."

Hits Africa is to pursue an aggressive roll-out and growth strategy in the African continent. The company operates in Liberia through a partnership with Libercel and is currently building operations based on licenses it holds in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company is active in operating mobile, fixed and data networks.