TogoCom Group, the state-owned holding firm established in 2017 following a merger of Togo Telecom and Togo Cellulaire (Togocel), has confirmed the appointment of Franco-Malagasy Paulin Alazard as chief executive officer. He replaces outgoing CEO Atcha-Dedji Affoh.

The change of leadership is the result of Agou Holding's (a consortium formed by Malagasy firms Axian Group and pan-African investment fund Emerging Capital Partners) majority stake (51%) in the company.

Alazard expressed Agou Holding's commitment to the development TogoCom and announced the consortium's plans to invest about €245-million over a period of seven years to improve TogoCom's connectivity infrastructure, including its fibre optic network, ahead of 5G deployment.

"My intention is to work towards the ambitions of revolutionising the telecommunications and digital sector in Togo, and for the holding to become a powerful group in the sub-region," Alazard said.

Prior to this latest appointment, Alazard served as deputy CEO and CFO at Telma Madagascar. He has also occupied positions at Celtel, Airtel, PwC and Zain.

Early November 2019, the government of Togo completed the privatisation of TogoCom in a move it said would take the country to another stage of its digital revolution.

The acquisition was valued at CFAF160-billion (approximately US$353-million) according to the Togolese government.

"This major operation marks a milestone in the government's digital roadmap. It will enable us to become the reference market for telecoms in the region and consolidate our leadership in digital transformation, "said Cina Lawson, Togo's Minister of Posts, Digital Economy and Technological Innovations.

Togocom was created in 2017 and its privatisation officially began in November 2018 when the draft law on the authorisation of the opening of the capital of TogoCcom was adopted by the government.