Globacom has named Ahmad Farroukh as its new CEO. This marks a strategic shift as the company seeks to meet the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) standards for improved corporate governance in telecoms.

With this new role, Farroukh is expected to lead a comprehensive transformation at Globacom, including the creation of a new board. Known for his impressive track record, he started his career as CEO of Investcom Group in Lebanon in 1995, which was later acquired by MTN Group. He then held positions as managing director of MTN Ghana, regional director for West Africa, and ultimately CEO of MTN Nigeria from 2006 to 2010. After his time in Nigeria, he went on to lead MTN South Africa in 2014, then moved to Saudi Arabia to become CEO of Mobily until 2017, and more recently, served as Group CEO at Smile Communications Nigeria Limited in 2019. He also previously held Group COO roles for Africa and the Middle East.

Farroukh, who holds an MBA and Accounting degree from the Lebanese American University and is a Certified Public Accountant from New York, brings deep industry knowledge and expertise.

His leadership arrives during a challenging period for Globacom. The company recently faced a dramatic drop in its subscriber base, which fell by 69.2 percent in just six months — from 62.19 million subscribers in March to 19.15 million by September. This sharp decline was the result of a regulatory audit by the NCC, which revealed significant discrepancies in the reported subscriber figures across the telecoms industry.

Farroukh’s appointment signals Globacom’s dedication to turning things around and strengthening its standing in the Nigerian telecom market, showing they’re ready to tackle the challenges ahead head-on.