Eng. Tamer El Mahdi brings more than three decades of professional experience in leading strategic transformation, as well as the development, deployment, and operation of telecommunications networks and digital infrastructure at both regional and international levels.
El Mahdi’s expertise has been shaped through a progressive and well rounded career path that combines deep technical specialization with strong executive and managerial capabilities. He began his career as a telecommunications engineer specializing in network engineering and communications systems, working at AT&T and Bell Labs, during which he gained advanced technical experience in the design and operation of highly reliable, large scale, multi technology, and multi layer strategic telecommunications networks. He subsequently moved into the management and execution of large scale telecommunications projects before assuming leadership roles in the design of telecommunications networks for major operators across the MENA region through Lucent Technologies. In these roles, he led multidisciplinary teams and delivered fixed and wireless telecommunications projects across a number of regional and international markets.
Transitioning to the operator side of the industry, Eng. El Mahdi joined Orascom Telecom Holding, where he served as Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (Group CTIO). In this capacity, he led multi billion dollar investments in mobile and fixed networks and oversaw the launch and operation of telecommunications networks across multiple markets, including Italy, Canada, Greece, Tunisia, Algeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, and North Korea. This experience further reinforced his expertise in managing and operating multinational telecommunications groups.
He continued his executive career as Chief Executive Officer of Orascom Telecom Algeria (Djezzy), one of the largest mobile operators in North Africa and the Middle East. During a pivotal period marked by complex operational and regulatory challenges, he successfully strengthened operational performance and enhanced institutional sustainability. He later served as Chief Executive Officer of Orascom Telecom, Media and Technology Holding (OTMT), where he led a comprehensive strategic transformation and business diversification across multiple sectors and geographies in Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East, with a strong focus on value maximization, governance enhancement, and the development of long term growth platforms.
In addition to his executive leadership roles within major corporations, Eng. El Mahdi has played a prominent entrepreneurial role. He has founded and launched specialized companies in management and technology consulting and software development, providing advanced advisory services in operational and technological transformation, network design, and institutional capacity building for telecommunications operators.
Eng. El Mahdi holds distinguished academic qualifications, including a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering from California State University, a Master’s degree in Project Management from The George Washington University, and a Master of International Business Administration from Maastricht School of Management, in addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Cairo University.