Ola Bazan spent 26 years building Egypt’s Telecoms. Now she wants all of Africa

Egypt’s telecommunications sector is entering a new phase of growth, and Ola is at the centre of it. After more than two decades shaping the industry, Ola aims to position Egypt as a communications hub for Africa’s fast-growing tech ecosystem.

Ola Bazan is the Director of Communications and Digital Media at Orange Egypt, with over 25 years of experience in marketing and communications within the telecommunications sector. 

In an interview with Technext, Ola explained that what drives her today is not necessarily a problem to fix but a long-standing vision to elevate Egypt’s role within Africa’s tech and communications landscape. 

For her, the opportunity lies in bridging local relevance with continental influence by creating campaigns that speak to Egyptians while also connecting with a broader African audience. 

It is this balance between local insight and pan-African storytelling that she believes can unlock growth for tech brands across the continent.

“It is a dream of mine to position Egypt as the communication hub for Africa. To achieve this, I'm trying to focus on crafting communications that resonate with Egyptians, leveraging Egypt's position as a vibrant part of Africa. By developing campaigns with dual relevance – speaking to local nuances while amplifying pan-African themes – we can drive engagement and growth for tech brands across the continent, ultimately making Egypt the go-to hub for Africa-focused communications,” Ola said.

Interestingly, this vision is unfolding at a time when Egypt’s telecoms sector is gaining serious momentum.

The country produced over 10 million mobile devices in 2025, up from 3.3 million the previous year, as more global manufacturers set up locally and local content surpassed 40%. The communications sector has also recorded the highest growth rates in the country for seven consecutive years, contributing around 6% to GDP.

As of 2025, Egypt has over 98 million internet users, with mobile connections exceeding its population, underscoring how deeply telecoms are embedded in everyday life. The nationwide rollout of 5G in June 2025, backed by a $2.7 billion investment from key telecom operators, marks a major leap in the country’s digital transformation. 

This momentum is exactly what is propelling Ola to think beyond Egypt and build a communications bridge that connects Africa’s fast-growing tech ecosystem.

Read also: Telecoms contributed 8.3% to Nigeria’s real GDP in 2025

Ola’s 26-year journey through Egypt’s Telecoms industry

In 2000, Ola Bazan walked into Orange Egypt not as a leader, but as a listener. Her first role in customer care placed her at the frontline of conversations. This required her to understand complaints, needs, and expectations. It was here that she learned one of the most important lessons of her career.

A year later, she made a move that would define her path. In 2001, she transitioned into the communications department, stepping into the world of advertising. This was backed by her academic foundation from The American University in Cairo, where she studied Journalism and Mass Communication in Advertising and Public Relations.

Ola began to shape not just campaigns with stories that connect brands to audiences.

Over the years, that early curiosity evolved into leadership. She led the execution of multi-channel campaigns across traditional and digital platforms, working with cross-functional teams to deliver projects that resonated widely. 

Her work earned recognition on global stages, including Cannes Lions, Dubai Lynx, and the Effies — milestones that reflect both creative excellence and strategic impact in the telecommunications industry.

Ola Bazan

Ola’s contributions did not go unnoticed. In 2022, she was honoured as one of the top legends by the CEO of Orange Egypt. A year later, she was named among the Top 9 Inspiring Women in Africa by Orange MEA and WIA Philanthropy, and in 2024, she was selected for the OMEA Orange Momentum Leadership Program, where she represented Egypt alongside 47 leaders across the region. 

These milestones, along with her recognition as one of Africa’s Top 100 Corporate Communication Leaders by Africa PR Week in 2025, tell the story of a career built on consistency, growth, and impact.

Yet, behind the achievements is a quieter, more human story of adaptation. The telecommunications industry never stood still, and neither did she. Navigating constant change pushed her out of her comfort zone, forcing her to learn, unlearn, and evolve quickly. 

It was in those moments of uncertainty that she discovered her resilience and ability to innovate.

“These moments pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to innovate fast. It taught me that I'm more resilient and adaptable than I thought, and that embracing uncertainty can lead to breakthroughs. Now, I see challenges as opportunities to level up. My motto? Difficult but not impossible. I believe in fostering talent development, driving strategic planning, and leading collaborative initiatives that make a real impact,” Ola said.

Ola’s growth and leadership trajectory in Telecoms 

For Ola Bazan, career growth has never been a solo journey. Over the years, she has leaned into the power of community by learning from mentors, peers, and even the challenges that come with working in a fast-paced industry. 

Those interactions, she says, have not only sharpened her thinking but also connected her to people who share the same drive to build, grow, and lead. It is a reminder that behind every strong career is a network of influence, support, and shared experiences.

Looking back, taking on new challenges and expanding her scope within her current role has had the biggest impact. Growing with the company for over 25 years, she has been able to drive innovation and lead key initiatives.

Yet, for Ola, leadership goes beyond strategy and execution. It is deeply human.

When making decisions that affect teams and audiences, she focuses on balance by listening to different perspectives, weighing outcomes carefully, and finding solutions that align with broader goals while still respecting individual needs. That ability to combine empathy with clarity has become a key part of how she leads.

At the same time, she is deliberate about challenging outdated narratives. Ola does not believe tech is reserved for men. Instead, she focuses on mentorship and visibility by supporting other women and demonstrating, through her own journey, that skill and passion define success in the industry.

Ola Bazan

Ola’s final thoughts

The future of tech in Africa belongs to those who are willing to grow through challenges and stay committed to progress. 

She believes women who have found their footing in the industry have a responsibility to inspire the next generation — from young professionals to girls still in school — by sharing their journeys and showing what is possible.

Her advice is simple but grounded in experience: follow your passion, stay positive, embrace new challenges, never stop learning, remain innovative, and most importantly, believe that nothing is impossible.

Read also: Egypt begins process to ban social media for teens

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