Essar Communications appoints Michael Foley as East Africa chief

Mumbai: Essar Communications Holdings Ltd, which owns 49 per cent of Econet Wireless of Kenya Ltd, has appointed Michael Foley as chief executive of its East African operations.

Foley, who will oversee the rollout of Econet's operations in Kenya, would have overall responsibility for the group's telecom investments and operations in the region, Essar said in a release.

Foley brings on board commercial and management experience gained from a number of leading telcos in Canada, East Europe, the Middle-East, Tanzania and Nigeria, the release said.

ECHL acquired 49 per cent stake in Econet Wireless International (EWI) by subscribing to fresh capital in the company.

Econet Wireless Kenya has also announced three senior appointments: these include chief technical officer Shailendra Khare, project director (East Africa) Philip Mudimu and marketing director Anna Othoro. 

Khare has over 20 years of technical experience with the last 13 years in the cellular network domain while Mudimu is a veteran of Econet and has played an instrumental role in steering the economy through the last five years.

Othoro has extensive experience in commercial management (sales and marketing) spanning over 11 years having held various senior management positions at both local and international level with GlaxoSmithkline Consumer Healthcare Limited and also as managing director of Celtel Kenya Limited.