Bocar A. BA appointed as SAMENA Council CEO to drive next growth and expansion of Council

Bocar has been with the SAMENA Council since its early foundation stages and brings with him 22 years of experience in telecom consensus, advocacy and business development. He has held various senior management positions in major corporations in France. He has also worked closely with several institutions to promote growth, investment and cooperation between developed and developing countries in Europe and the Middle East.

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Isa Al Khalifa, CEO of Batelco Group and Chairman of the Board of SAMENA Telecommunications Council, said, "I am delighted to announce that the Board has appointed Bocar A. BA, as Chief Executive Officer to lead the Council forward and further enhance its efforts in transforming the regional ICT environment. Bocar has played a crucial role in promoting the Council's agenda and driving membership development. He has also achieved several successes in policy advocacy reflecting the Telecom Operators viewpoints in coordination with Policy Makers and Regulators. The Board is confident that he will build on the Council achievements and take it to new heights."

Having resigned as the CEO of the SAMENA Council in order to pursue and focus on new opportunities in the region, Thomas W. Wilson said, "I wish to thank all of the stakeholders in the industry for supporting the SAMENA Council and helping it achieve the level of growth that it has today. It's an absolute pleasure to have served under Mohamed Issa AlKhalifa and the past Chairmen of the Council, and have worked so closely with the member operators and policy regulators in the SAMENA region. I am convinced that SAMENA will continue to grow and support the industry with continued success. I have worked closely with Bocar over the past years and wish him the very best in his new role."

The Board of Directors of the SAMENA Council expressed gratitude and thanked Thomas Wilson for his energy, dedication and vision which has played a significant role in the success of the organization and the global recognition it has earned as an important regional telecommunications platform under his leadership.

Bocar A. BA, on being appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer, said, "I am honored by the Board's confidence and the opportunity to continue leading the agenda of such an important organization like the SAMENA Council. We are on the verge of embarking on a very challenging journey with regard to the global and regional telecommunications industry."

"With over 90 leading regional and international organizations including over 38 Telecom Operators currently as members of the SAMENA Council, I am looking forward to further developing our collaboration with the Policy Makers, Regulators and Governments," added Bocar.

Bocar also serves as a board member of several companies in Technology and Management & Consultancy Services and is driving the awareness of the value of technology in everyday life across the region. His expertise includes enabling companies in building solid relationships with global customers, identifying untapped revenue growth opportunities, consolidating multiple contracts for government cooperation and developing strategies for market penetration in emerging countries throughout the Middle East, Africa and Asia.