Bayobab, a subsidiary of MTN Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rabih Kanaan as Managing Director: East to West. In this new role, Rabih will oversee the East to West (E2W) holding company, driving the strategic growth and execution of Bayobab’s operations across key markets.
Rabih brings extensive experience to this position, having joined Bayobab in April 2019 as Senior Manager: Dry Segment Fibre Projects and later serving as Senior Manager: Subsea & Terrestrial Fibre. During his time with Bayobab, he played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s fibre footprint across several African countries, including the activation of major subsea investments such as 2Africa and Equiano. His leadership in managing partnerships, suppliers, and stakeholders was instrumental in reducing costs and accelerating time to market, while his contributions earned him the Unique Contributor Award for several consecutive years.
“The team is excited to welcome Rabih as Managing Director: East to West. His proven leadership and exceptional contributions have left a lasting impact on the organisation, and as we enter a critical phase of the East to West project, we are confident his expertise, vision and innovative approach will drive continued success,” said Mohammed Aliyu, Bayobab’s Chief FibreCo Officer. “This appointment reflects our commitment to strengthening connectivity across the region and advancing Africa’s digital future.”
Prior to joining Bayobab, Rabih spent 19 years in the telecommunications industry, primarily with MTN OpCos, where he held leadership positions roles in key markets, including serving as the Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO) of MTN South Sudan. His deep understanding of the African telecom landscape and extensive expertise in fibre infrastructure make him ideally suited to lead Bayobab’s next phase of growth.
Rabih holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, along with certifications in Telecommunication Science and Project Management Professional (PMP). He has also completed multiple certifications in Leadership, Marketing, Sales, Business Strategies, and Program Management.
