Board of Directors
Lobna Helal assumed the role of Chair of Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2025, after serving as an independent board member since March 2019.
With over 30 years of experience in the banking sector, Helal was the first woman to serve as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) for Monetary Stability Policies, serving two terms (2011-2013 and 2015-2019). In this role, she oversaw key sectors such as monetary policy, reserve management, IT, markets, payment systems, and banking sector reform, and successfully implemented a three-year monetary and economic reform program that concluded in 2019.
Since joining the CBE in 2004, Helal led a two-phase program (2004-2011) to develop and restructure Egypt’s banking sector. She also represented the CBE in numerous institutions and held leadership roles, including independent non-executive Chair of the Credit Risk Guarantee Company and the Egyptian Mortgage Refinance Company, as well as non-executive board member of the Nasser Social Bank, the National Investment Bank, the Mortgage Finance Support Fund, and the Social Housing Fund.
Currently, Helal serves as non-executive Chair of City Edge Developments, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Innovation for Sustainable Development Foundation, board member of the National Bank of Egypt (London), Egypt's Sovereign Wealth Fund, the Social Housing Fund's board, AlexBank, and El-Nidaa Foundation.
Helal represented the CBE as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Financial Inclusion Alliance (AFI) and Vice Chair of the Gender and Women’s Financial Inclusion Committee. Prior to her CBE role, Helal served as CEO of the Hermes Financial Group, overseeing mergers and acquisitions and fixed-income instruments.
Helal has been recognized as one of Forbes Magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Women in the Middle East and North Africa Region, ranking second in 2016 and 2018, and third in the region’s public sector in 2018.
Helal holds a Master's degree in Economics from the American University in Cairo.
Tamer El Mahdi was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Egypt in September 2025, building on his prior role as a Non Executive Board Member since March 2025, representing the government.
With over 30 years of experience, El Mahdi has served as Founder and Chairman of Trade Globe and Terrawaves Networks since 2020, overseeing global operations in telecom consultancy, network design, and digital infrastructure development. His career spans executive leadership in multinational corporations and investment firms across various sectors, including telecommunications, digital transformation, fintech, real estate, mining, and non-banking financial services.
From 2014-2019, he served as Group CEO of Orascom Telecom Media and Technology (OTMT), leading its strategic transformation and diversification across multiple industries and regions, including Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Prior to that, he was CEO of Orascom Telecom Algeria (Djezzy), Algeria’s largest mobile operator, from 2008-2013.
During his tenure at Orascom Telecom Holding, he held key leadership roles, including Group CTIO (2003-2008), where he managed multi-billion-dollar investments and launched mobile operations in Canada, Bangladesh, Iraq, and North Korea. From 2001-2003, as CEO of Telecom Egypt, he played a pivotal role in securing Egypt’s third mobile operator license, which later facilitated the acquisition of a 45% stake in Vodafone Egypt.
Early in his career, El Mahdi held leadership positions at AT&T, managing large-scale telecom infrastructure projects across North Africa.
A seasoned board member, he has served on the boards of Orascom Telecom, Beltone Financial Holding, Contact Financial Holding, and other prominent firms in Egypt and internationally.
El Mahdi holds an MBA in International Business Administration from the Maastricht School of Management, a Master’s in Project Management from George Washington University, a Master’s in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from California State University, and a Bachelor’s degree in the same field from Cairo University.
Major General Ahmed Said Youssef Abdelrahman was appointed to the Board of Directors of Telecom Egypt in July 2025, representing the government. He is recognized as one of the distinguished leaders in the field of Signals within the Egyptian Armed Forces, where he served as Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Signal Corps.
Major General Abdelrahman brings extensive experience gained through many years of dedicated military service. He is renowned for his unwavering commitment, exceptional professionalism, and outstanding leadership — qualities he has consistently demonstrated throughout the key positions he has held.
He holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Military Science, and has completed several advanced courses in Egypt and abroad, including the Command and Staff Course at the Command and Staff College in Tunisia, the Fellowship of the Nasser Higher Military Academy, and the Senior Commanders Course.
Tarek Aboualam was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2021, representing the government.
He brings more than 25 years of experience leading digital technology companies, with a proven track record in the ICT sector across the Middle East and Europe. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Glint Consulting, which specializes in investment management advisory and startup development.
Aboualam has held several senior leadership positions across a range of companies. He was the founder and CEO of Soficom, an internet services provider, which was later acquired by Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco). He also served as Director of Planning and Business Intelligence at WIND Telecomunicazioni in Italy, where he oversaw market analysis and product development. In addition, he was the Director of Broadband and Fixed Services Development at Orascom Telecom Holding.
He joined Telecom Egypt in 2009 as Senior Vice President for International and Carrier Affairs and was appointed CEO and Managing Director in 2012. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in guiding the company through a significant transformation phase.
Aboualam has served on the boards of leading companies both locally and internationally, including Italia Online, IT Net (Italy), Inty (UK), Vodafone Egypt, TE Data, Xceed, Iqraaly, Wasla, Soficom, Tellas (Greece), Tirakon (UAE), and Mobiserve, which operates in Egypt, the UAE, and Pakistan. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the British University in Egypt.
Aboualam holds a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Alexandria University.
Tarek Tantawy was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2021, representing the government.
He currently serves as Managing Director and Co-CEO of Palm Hills Developments and brings over 24 years of experience in investment, financial services, and executive leadership. From 2015 to 2021, Tantawy served as Managing Director and Co-CEO of CI Capital Holding, where he played a key role in strengthening the institutional framework and positioning it as a leading financial services platform in Egypt.
From 2002 to 2011, Tantawy held several senior positions at Telecom Egypt, including Managing Director and CEO from 2009 to 2011, after serving as Executive Vice President for Financial and Administrative Affairs since 2007. During his tenure, he led the acquisition of a 45% stake in Vodafone Egypt and played a key role in the company’s international IPO.
Tantawy currently serves on the boards of several publicly listed and privately held companies, including Palm Hills Developments, Taaleem Management Services, and Incolease. His previous board memberships include CI Capital Holding, Corplease, Vodafone Egypt, and TE Data.
Tantawy holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University in the United Kingdom, a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering from the American University in Cairo, and is a CFA charterholder.
Hani Elsamra was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board in October 2022, representing the government.
He brings over 26 years of human resources leadership across the banking sectors in Egypt and the Middle East. Since 2018, he has served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Banque Misr, where he leads the bank’s human capital strategy and organizational development.
Elsamra previously held senior HR roles at several prominent regional and international banks. He began his career at Citibank Egypt in 1999, becoming Vice President of HR at Citibank Kuwait in 2007. He later served as Vice President of HR at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Egypt (2009), returned to Citibank Kuwait as Head of HR (2011), and then joined Burgan Bank (Kuwait) in 2016 as General Manager of Human Resources and Development.
He currently serves as a Board Member of Misr Abu Dhabi Real Estate Investments Company and chairs the Human Resources Committee of the Federation of Egyptian Banks.
Elsamra completed the Certified Director Certification Program (CDCP) in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (2022), the Executive Leadership Program from Harvard University (2022), and is a certified assessor by SHL UK. He also completed advanced programs in job analysis and evaluation with HAY Group.
Islam Zekry was appointed to Telecom Egypt's Board of Directors in March 2025, representing the government.
With over 20 years of experience in the banking sector, Zekry serves as Group Chief Financial Officer at Commercial International Bank (CIB), where he leads the bank’s finance and strategy functions. He has a proven track record of enhancing financial performance, driving growth, and fostering innovation, with deep expertise in global markets, regulatory environments, industry developments, and mergers and acquisitions. His leadership continues to support CIB’s long-term strategic objectives and stakeholder value creation.
Previously, Zekry made history as CIB’s first Chief Data Officer in Egypt, spearheading the bank’s data transformation journey. Under his leadership, CIB built advanced capabilities in data warehousing, analytics, and AI-powered customer insights. This pioneering work earned international recognition, with London Business School and Harvard Business School featuring CIB as the first Middle Eastern case study in their curricula.
A thought leader in digital finance and the new economy, Zekry is known for his innovative approach. He contributes to global digital transformation through his roles as a steering committee member of Smart Africa, an active contributor to the EU-AU Digital Economy Task Force, and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Digital Transformation Committee. He was also recently appointed to Egypt’s first AI Council, which is shaping the country’s national AI vision and execution strategy.
With international exposure across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Zekry serves as a Non-Executive Director on several financial and tech company boards across the region. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Managerial Accountants (UK) and the FITCH Quantitative Finance Institute (London).
Zekry holds a Doctorate in Banking Performance Analytics from Westbrook University of Minnesota, an MBA from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Zagazig University. In addition to his academic credentials, he has earned several professional certifications in finance, data management, and information systems from leading global institutions.
Mohamed Hanafy was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in November 2022, representing the company’s employees.
He began his career at the Ministry of Local Development in 2001 and joined Telecom Egypt in 2004 as part of the HR team. He was promoted to HR Manager for the Third District – West Cairo in 2009, and in 2015, he became HR Manager for the First District – West Cairo , a role he continues to hold.
Hanafy has been an active labor union leader. He currently serves as a Board Member of the Egyptian Trade Union Federation. He chaired the West Cairo Workers’ Union from 2018 to 2022 and was re-elected for a second term (2022–2026). He also served as a Board Member of the General Union for Telecommunications Workers (2018–2022) before being elected President for the 2022–2026 term.
Hanafy holds a postgraduate diploma in Business Administration from Ain Shams University and a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Benha University.
Mohamed Barakat was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2017 as a non-executive board member and became an independent board member in March 2025.
With over 40 years of experience in the banking and financial sector, Barakat currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman of the National Bank of Egypt and as a Board Member of the Financial Services and Fintech Sub-Fund of The Sovereign Fund of Egypt, a role he has held since April 2021.
From 2014 to 2022, he served as Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Arab International Bank, he was also Chairman of Banque Misr (2002–2014), one of Egypt’s largest banks. He also held additional leadership roles, including Chairman of Misr Lebanon Bank, Misr Europe Bank – Frankfurt, and Banque du Caire. Additionally, he served as Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Banks and the Union of Arab Banks, after having served as Vice Chairman.
Barakat was a Board Member of the Central Bank of Egypt (2003–2011), contributing to the Banking Reform and Audit Committees. He also served on the boards of the Egyptian Banking Institute, the Anti-Money Laundering Unit, and Cairo Amman Bank in Jordan, where he was elected Vice Chairman.
Internationally, Barakat held key roles with Visa International as Regional Board Member (Central Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) (2003–2008) and Advisory Council Member (2008–2010). He also served on Mastercard’s International Advisory Council (Middle East and Africa) (2011–2020).
In the non-banking sector, Barakat was Chairman of the International Company for Tourist Investments (owner of the Conrad Hotel – Cairo) and the Suez Canal Company for Technology Settling, which owns October 6 University, where he also served on the Board of Trustees, where he was also on the Board of Trustees. He was a Board Member of EgyptAir Holding Company and numerous other public and private institutions.
He holds a Master of Business Administration MBA from the University of San Francisco in the United States and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Alexandria University.
Girgis Abd El-Shahid was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2025.
With extensive expertise in corporate law and dispute resolution—particularly arbitration—combined with a strong financial and business background across diverse sectors, including logistics, aviation, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, construction, energy, finance, securities offerings, telecommunications, intellectual property, and banking, Abd El-Shahid serves as the Managing Partner of Shahid Law Firm.
Recognized as one of the youngest Egyptian lawyers to handle high-profile arbitration cases in Egypt and the Middle East, he has built a reputation for his expertise in complex multiparty arbitrations and international law. Beyond his legal practice, he has served as a member of the International Court of Arbitration for two terms, concluding in June 2024, and as a member of the advisory committee of the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA). He previously worked as a Public Prosecutor.
Abd El-Shahid holds a Master of Laws in International Legal Studies from Georgetown University Law Center (USA), a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Cairo University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business Administration from The American University in Cairo.
Akef El Maghraby was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2025.
With over 25 years of experience in banking and finance, El Maghraby has a strong track record in all banking activities, financial strategy, and economic development. He is currently the CEO & Managing Director of Suez Canal Bank.
Prior to this role, El Maghraby was the Vice Chairman of Banque Misr. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in managing key business areas, including corporate banking, treasury, international business, retail, SME banking, investments, Islamic finance, global transaction services, regional operations, branches, and financial inclusion. His leadership and strategic vision contributed significantly to the bank’s expansion and modernization, particularly in the realm of digital transformation.
Before joining Banque Misr, he was the Head of Corporate & Investment Banking at Citi Bank Egypt, where he successfully doubled its assets and increased revenues by 50% in 2015. During his career at Citi Bank, which spanned over a decade, he spearheaded major financial transactions and provided financing and advisory services to leading corporations and government entities across various sectors, such as steel, chemicals, and energy.
In addition to his executive roles, he currently serves as the Chairman of Egypt Digital Transformation Company and Misr Capital and as a board member of Banque Misr Lebanon, Misr Insurance Holding Company, the Egyptian Banking Institute, EgyptAir Holding Company, the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), Africa 50, CI Capital, and Egypt Investment & Export Development Company. He is also a member of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham).
El Maghraby holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s in Accounting & Finance from The American University in Cairo.
Hossam Seifeldin was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2025.
With nearly 30 years of experience in the technology sector and global business strategy, Seifeldin is the CEO of Capgemini Egypt, where he leads the development of the company’s newest global delivery center in Egypt, serving a wide array of international clients.
Prior to joining Capgemini, he spent 27 years at IBM, gaining expertise in operations, transformation, and strategy across the Middle East and Africa. During his tenure, he held key leadership positions, including General Manager for the Middle East and Pakistan, General Manager for Africa, and ultimately Vice President for the region. Beyond his executive roles, he serves on several advisory and governance boards. He is a member of the Advisory Committee for Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship for the Prime Minister of Egypt, a Board Member at Raya Holding, and a Board of Trustees member at El Sewedy University of Technology (SUT). He also co-chairs the Digital Transformation Core Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham).
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Ain Shams University and a Management Degree from Henley Business School (UK).
Lobna Helal assumed the role of Chair of Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2025, after serving as an independent board member since March 2019.
With over 30 years of experience in the banking sector, Helal was the first woman to serve as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) for Monetary Stability Policies, serving two terms (2011-2013 and 2015-2019). In this role, she oversaw key sectors such as monetary policy, reserve management, IT, markets, payment systems, and banking sector reform, and successfully implemented a three-year monetary and economic reform program that concluded in 2019.
Since joining the CBE in 2004, Helal led a two-phase program (2004-2011) to develop and restructure Egypt’s banking sector. She also represented the CBE in numerous institutions and held leadership roles, including independent non-executive Chair of the Credit Risk Guarantee Company and the Egyptian Mortgage Refinance Company, as well as non-executive board member of the Nasser Social Bank, the National Investment Bank, the Mortgage Finance Support Fund, and the Social Housing Fund.
Currently, Helal serves as non-executive Chair of City Edge Developments, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Innovation for Sustainable Development Foundation, board member of the National Bank of Egypt (London), Egypt's Sovereign Wealth Fund, the Social Housing Fund's board, AlexBank, and El-Nidaa Foundation.
Helal represented the CBE as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Financial Inclusion Alliance (AFI) and Vice Chair of the Gender and Women’s Financial Inclusion Committee. Prior to her CBE role, Helal served as CEO of the Hermes Financial Group, overseeing mergers and acquisitions and fixed-income instruments.
Helal has been recognized as one of Forbes Magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Women in the Middle East and North Africa Region, ranking second in 2016 and 2018, and third in the region’s public sector in 2018.
Helal holds a Master's degree in Economics from the American University in Cairo.
Tamer El Mahdi was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Egypt in September 2025, building on his prior role as a Non Executive Board Member since March 2025, representing the government.
With over 30 years of experience, El Mahdi has served as Founder and Chairman of Trade Globe and Terrawaves Networks since 2020, overseeing global operations in telecom consultancy, network design, and digital infrastructure development. His career spans executive leadership in multinational corporations and investment firms across various sectors, including telecommunications, digital transformation, fintech, real estate, mining, and non-banking financial services.
From 2014-2019, he served as Group CEO of Orascom Telecom Media and Technology (OTMT), leading its strategic transformation and diversification across multiple industries and regions, including Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Prior to that, he was CEO of Orascom Telecom Algeria (Djezzy), Algeria’s largest mobile operator, from 2008-2013.
During his tenure at Orascom Telecom Holding, he held key leadership roles, including Group CTIO (2003-2008), where he managed multi-billion-dollar investments and launched mobile operations in Canada, Bangladesh, Iraq, and North Korea. From 2001-2003, as CEO of Telecom Egypt, he played a pivotal role in securing Egypt’s third mobile operator license, which later facilitated the acquisition of a 45% stake in Vodafone Egypt.
Early in his career, El Mahdi held leadership positions at AT&T, managing large-scale telecom infrastructure projects across North Africa.
A seasoned board member, he has served on the boards of Orascom Telecom, Beltone Financial Holding, Contact Financial Holding, and other prominent firms in Egypt and internationally.
El Mahdi holds an MBA in International Business Administration from the Maastricht School of Management, a Master’s in Project Management from George Washington University, a Master’s in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from California State University, and a Bachelor’s degree in the same field from Cairo University.
Major General Ahmed Said Youssef Abdelrahman was appointed to the Board of Directors of Telecom Egypt in July 2025, representing the government. He is recognized as one of the distinguished leaders in the field of Signals within the Egyptian Armed Forces, where he served as Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Signal Corps.
Major General Abdelrahman brings extensive experience gained through many years of dedicated military service. He is renowned for his unwavering commitment, exceptional professionalism, and outstanding leadership — qualities he has consistently demonstrated throughout the key positions he has held.
He holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Military Science, and has completed several advanced courses in Egypt and abroad, including the Command and Staff Course at the Command and Staff College in Tunisia, the Fellowship of the Nasser Higher Military Academy, and the Senior Commanders Course.
Tarek Aboualam was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2021, representing the government.
He brings more than 25 years of experience leading digital technology companies, with a proven track record in the ICT sector across the Middle East and Europe. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Glint Consulting, which specializes in investment management advisory and startup development.
Aboualam has held several senior leadership positions across a range of companies. He was the founder and CEO of Soficom, an internet services provider, which was later acquired by Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco). He also served as Director of Planning and Business Intelligence at WIND Telecomunicazioni in Italy, where he oversaw market analysis and product development. In addition, he was the Director of Broadband and Fixed Services Development at Orascom Telecom Holding.
He joined Telecom Egypt in 2009 as Senior Vice President for International and Carrier Affairs and was appointed CEO and Managing Director in 2012. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in guiding the company through a significant transformation phase.
Aboualam has served on the boards of leading companies both locally and internationally, including Italia Online, IT Net (Italy), Inty (UK), Vodafone Egypt, TE Data, Xceed, Iqraaly, Wasla, Soficom, Tellas (Greece), Tirakon (UAE), and Mobiserve, which operates in Egypt, the UAE, and Pakistan. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the British University in Egypt.
Aboualam holds a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Alexandria University.
Tarek Tantawy was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2021, representing the government.
He currently serves as Managing Director and Co-CEO of Palm Hills Developments and brings over 24 years of experience in investment, financial services, and executive leadership. From 2015 to 2021, Tantawy served as Managing Director and Co-CEO of CI Capital Holding, where he played a key role in strengthening the institutional framework and positioning it as a leading financial services platform in Egypt.
From 2002 to 2011, Tantawy held several senior positions at Telecom Egypt, including Managing Director and CEO from 2009 to 2011, after serving as Executive Vice President for Financial and Administrative Affairs since 2007. During his tenure, he led the acquisition of a 45% stake in Vodafone Egypt and played a key role in the company’s international IPO.
Tantawy currently serves on the boards of several publicly listed and privately held companies, including Palm Hills Developments, Taaleem Management Services, and Incolease. His previous board memberships include CI Capital Holding, Corplease, Vodafone Egypt, and TE Data.
Tantawy holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University in the United Kingdom, a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering from the American University in Cairo, and is a CFA charterholder.
Hani Elsamra was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board in October 2022, representing the government.
He brings over 26 years of human resources leadership across the banking sectors in Egypt and the Middle East. Since 2018, he has served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Banque Misr, where he leads the bank’s human capital strategy and organizational development.
Elsamra previously held senior HR roles at several prominent regional and international banks. He began his career at Citibank Egypt in 1999, becoming Vice President of HR at Citibank Kuwait in 2007. He later served as Vice President of HR at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Egypt (2009), returned to Citibank Kuwait as Head of HR (2011), and then joined Burgan Bank (Kuwait) in 2016 as General Manager of Human Resources and Development.
He currently serves as a Board Member of Misr Abu Dhabi Real Estate Investments Company and chairs the Human Resources Committee of the Federation of Egyptian Banks.
Elsamra completed the Certified Director Certification Program (CDCP) in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (2022), the Executive Leadership Program from Harvard University (2022), and is a certified assessor by SHL UK. He also completed advanced programs in job analysis and evaluation with HAY Group.
Islam Zekry was appointed to Telecom Egypt's Board of Directors in March 2025, representing the government.
With over 20 years of experience in the banking sector, Zekry serves as Group Chief Financial Officer at Commercial International Bank (CIB), where he leads the bank’s finance and strategy functions. He has a proven track record of enhancing financial performance, driving growth, and fostering innovation, with deep expertise in global markets, regulatory environments, industry developments, and mergers and acquisitions. His leadership continues to support CIB’s long-term strategic objectives and stakeholder value creation.
Previously, Zekry made history as CIB’s first Chief Data Officer in Egypt, spearheading the bank’s data transformation journey. Under his leadership, CIB built advanced capabilities in data warehousing, analytics, and AI-powered customer insights. This pioneering work earned international recognition, with London Business School and Harvard Business School featuring CIB as the first Middle Eastern case study in their curricula.
A thought leader in digital finance and the new economy, Zekry is known for his innovative approach. He contributes to global digital transformation through his roles as a steering committee member of Smart Africa, an active contributor to the EU-AU Digital Economy Task Force, and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Digital Transformation Committee. He was also recently appointed to Egypt’s first AI Council, which is shaping the country’s national AI vision and execution strategy.
With international exposure across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Zekry serves as a Non-Executive Director on several financial and tech company boards across the region. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Managerial Accountants (UK) and the FITCH Quantitative Finance Institute (London).
Zekry holds a Doctorate in Banking Performance Analytics from Westbrook University of Minnesota, an MBA from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Zagazig University. In addition to his academic credentials, he has earned several professional certifications in finance, data management, and information systems from leading global institutions.
Mohamed Hanafy was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in November 2022, representing the company’s employees.
He began his career at the Ministry of Local Development in 2001 and joined Telecom Egypt in 2004 as part of the HR team. He was promoted to HR Manager for the Third District – West Cairo in 2009, and in 2015, he became HR Manager for the First District – West Cairo , a role he continues to hold.
Hanafy has been an active labor union leader. He currently serves as a Board Member of the Egyptian Trade Union Federation. He chaired the West Cairo Workers’ Union from 2018 to 2022 and was re-elected for a second term (2022–2026). He also served as a Board Member of the General Union for Telecommunications Workers (2018–2022) before being elected President for the 2022–2026 term.
Hanafy holds a postgraduate diploma in Business Administration from Ain Shams University and a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Benha University.
Mohamed Barakat was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2017 as a non-executive board member and became an independent board member in March 2025.
With over 40 years of experience in the banking and financial sector, Barakat currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman of the National Bank of Egypt and as a Board Member of the Financial Services and Fintech Sub-Fund of The Sovereign Fund of Egypt, a role he has held since April 2021.
From 2014 to 2022, he served as Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Arab International Bank, he was also Chairman of Banque Misr (2002–2014), one of Egypt’s largest banks. He also held additional leadership roles, including Chairman of Misr Lebanon Bank, Misr Europe Bank – Frankfurt, and Banque du Caire. Additionally, he served as Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Banks and the Union of Arab Banks, after having served as Vice Chairman.
Barakat was a Board Member of the Central Bank of Egypt (2003–2011), contributing to the Banking Reform and Audit Committees. He also served on the boards of the Egyptian Banking Institute, the Anti-Money Laundering Unit, and Cairo Amman Bank in Jordan, where he was elected Vice Chairman.
Internationally, Barakat held key roles with Visa International as Regional Board Member (Central Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) (2003–2008) and Advisory Council Member (2008–2010). He also served on Mastercard’s International Advisory Council (Middle East and Africa) (2011–2020).
In the non-banking sector, Barakat was Chairman of the International Company for Tourist Investments (owner of the Conrad Hotel – Cairo) and the Suez Canal Company for Technology Settling, which owns October 6 University, where he also served on the Board of Trustees, where he was also on the Board of Trustees. He was a Board Member of EgyptAir Holding Company and numerous other public and private institutions.
He holds a Master of Business Administration MBA from the University of San Francisco in the United States and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Alexandria University.
Girgis Abd El-Shahid was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2025.
With extensive expertise in corporate law and dispute resolution—particularly arbitration—combined with a strong financial and business background across diverse sectors, including logistics, aviation, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, construction, energy, finance, securities offerings, telecommunications, intellectual property, and banking, Abd El-Shahid serves as the Managing Partner of Shahid Law Firm.
Recognized as one of the youngest Egyptian lawyers to handle high-profile arbitration cases in Egypt and the Middle East, he has built a reputation for his expertise in complex multiparty arbitrations and international law. Beyond his legal practice, he has served as a member of the International Court of Arbitration for two terms, concluding in June 2024, and as a member of the advisory committee of the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA). He previously worked as a Public Prosecutor.
Abd El-Shahid holds a Master of Laws in International Legal Studies from Georgetown University Law Center (USA), a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Cairo University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business Administration from The American University in Cairo.
Akef El Maghraby was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2025.
With over 25 years of experience in banking and finance, El Maghraby has a strong track record in all banking activities, financial strategy, and economic development. He is currently the CEO & Managing Director of Suez Canal Bank.
Prior to this role, El Maghraby was the Vice Chairman of Banque Misr. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in managing key business areas, including corporate banking, treasury, international business, retail, SME banking, investments, Islamic finance, global transaction services, regional operations, branches, and financial inclusion. His leadership and strategic vision contributed significantly to the bank’s expansion and modernization, particularly in the realm of digital transformation.
Before joining Banque Misr, he was the Head of Corporate & Investment Banking at Citi Bank Egypt, where he successfully doubled its assets and increased revenues by 50% in 2015. During his career at Citi Bank, which spanned over a decade, he spearheaded major financial transactions and provided financing and advisory services to leading corporations and government entities across various sectors, such as steel, chemicals, and energy.
In addition to his executive roles, he currently serves as the Chairman of Egypt Digital Transformation Company and Misr Capital and as a board member of Banque Misr Lebanon, Misr Insurance Holding Company, the Egyptian Banking Institute, EgyptAir Holding Company, the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), Africa 50, CI Capital, and Egypt Investment & Export Development Company. He is also a member of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham).
El Maghraby holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s in Accounting & Finance from The American University in Cairo.
Hossam Seifeldin was appointed to Telecom Egypt’s Board of Directors in March 2025.
With nearly 30 years of experience in the technology sector and global business strategy, Seifeldin is the CEO of Capgemini Egypt, where he leads the development of the company’s newest global delivery center in Egypt, serving a wide array of international clients.
Prior to joining Capgemini, he spent 27 years at IBM, gaining expertise in operations, transformation, and strategy across the Middle East and Africa. During his tenure, he held key leadership positions, including General Manager for the Middle East and Pakistan, General Manager for Africa, and ultimately Vice President for the region. Beyond his executive roles, he serves on several advisory and governance boards. He is a member of the Advisory Committee for Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship for the Prime Minister of Egypt, a Board Member at Raya Holding, and a Board of Trustees member at El Sewedy University of Technology (SUT). He also co-chairs the Digital Transformation Core Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham).
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Ain Shams University and a Management Degree from Henley Business School (UK).