Fadi Pharaon: Telecom Pioneer Connecting the Middle East and Africa

The telecom sector is on the verge of a gigantic revolution, and it is headed by Fadi Pharaon, who is Ericsson’s Senior Vice President and Head of Market Area Middle East and Africa. Fadi Pharaon has spent more than two decades working with the Swedish telecom giant. He leads in 70 countries, supervising over 4,200 employees. As the driving force behind Ericsson’s remarkable achievements in the region, Pharaon is shaping the future of connectivity and redefining the possibilities of advanced telecommunications.

Fadi Pharaon has been with Ericsson for more than 21 years, an illustrious career marked by innovation, strategic insight, and dedication. His appointment as Senior Vice President and Head of Market Area Middle East and Africa put him at the helm of one of the world’s most dynamic telecom markets. This extensive expertise has made Pharaon an instrumental part of Ericsson’s transition from the pioneering mobile technology to the leading role it plays in the deployment of advanced 5G networks. Under Pharaon’s leadership, Ericsson’s Middle East and Africa operations have grown exponentially. Covering 70 nations, including key markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Bahrain, Pharaon manages a robust team of 4,200 employees. The region’s contribution to Ericsson’s global revenues has been significant, with $2.9 billion recorded in 2019, highlighting the impact of Pharaon’s leadership in driving business success.

Fadi Pharaon is at the front of 5G adoption in the Middle East and Africa through strategic partnerships with major telecom providers. Successful launches have been achieved across 5G networks at stc in Saudi Arabia, Etisalat in the UAE, Batelco in Bahrain, and Zain in Kuwait, positioning Ericsson as a front-runner for advanced network solutions while enhancing connectivity and enabling applications across various industries.

Efforts from Pharaon are creating the way towards transformational advancements in connectivity. With 5G expected to reach more than 120 million subscriptions across the region by 2025, Ericsson, with faster and more reliable networks, is empowering the business, governments, as well as individuals to enjoy the smart technologies, the IoT, and artificial intelligence. Innovation and growth characterized this new era under Pharaon’s leadership.

One of the most notable initiatives under Pharaon is Ericsson’s partnership with Oman’s Ministry of Finance to establish a Centre of Excellence for Advanced Telecommunications Technology and IoT. This initiative reflects Ericsson’s commitment to fostering innovation, developing local talent, and accelerating economic growth through technological advancements. The centre is expected to serve as a hub for research, development, and knowledge sharing in the field of telecommunications.

Pharaon’s strategic vision has enabled Ericsson to expand its market footprint and solidify its position as a telecom leader in the Middle East and Africa. By leveraging cutting-edge solutions and forming strong partnerships, Ericsson is able to address the evolving needs of the region’s telecom industry, drive digital transformation, and contribute to national development goals.

Fadi Pharaon’s leadership at Ericsson exemplifies the power of innovation, collaboration, and strategic thinking. Channelling the deployment of 5G networks through the fostering of partnerships for the advancement of technology is his contribution to shaping connectivity futures in the Middle East and Africa. As this region continues to embrace the idea of digital transformation, these contributions will surely leave lasting imprints on the landscape of telecom.