Hussam Baday is the new Airtel Zambia managing director.

Airtel Networks Zambia has made the internal appointment of Hussam Baday as its new country managing director.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Hussam Baday as the new managing director of Airtel Networks Zambia Plc,” said Monica Musonda, Airtel Networks Zambia board chairperson.

Baday was appointed interim MD in September, having previously served as Airtel Zambia's chief commercial officer since December 2021, and as the company's marketing director from July 2018 to 2021.

Baday holds an MBA and a B.Sc in Electronics and Communications Engineering, as well as a Professional Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) and a Professional Certificate in "Behavioural Economics" from Harvard Business School.

Prior to joining Airtel, he was chief marketing officer of Sudatel Telecom Group, and has also worked for Ericsson and Huawei.

Hussam, according to Musonda, has a strong background in effective commercial strategies, business development, and proven execution.

Baday’s appointment follows Airtel Zambia’s recent clash with the country’s regulator, due to its frequent network disruptions.

The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has since fined Airtel Zambia an undisclosed sum of money for problems that constitute a failure to comply with service rules.

ZICTA determined that the company violated parts of the Information and Communications Technologies Act and Quality of Service requirements.