• Yasser Shaker has been appointed CEO of Orange MEA, effective July 1, 2025, succeeding Jérôme Hénique, who becomes CEO of Orange France.
• Shaker brings 25+ years of tech industry experience.

French telecom group Orange announced on Monday, May 5, a leadership change for its Middle East and Africa (Orange MEA) division, tapping Yasser Shaker (photo), the current chief executive officer of Orange Egypt, as its new head. His appointment takes effect on July 1, 2025. Shaker succeeds Jérôme Hénique, who has been named Executive Director and CEO of Orange France. Shaker will also join the Orange MEA Board of Directors upon assuming his new role on June 1.

A telecommunications engineer and alumnus of Cairo University's Faculty of Engineering, Shaker also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Rennes School of Business. He will become a member of Orange Group's executive committee. Christel Heydemann, Orange's Chairwoman and CEO, expressed strong confidence in his ability to succeed, stating that "his extensive experience and deep knowledge of the region will be essential to continuing our growth momentum."

Shaker will continue the mission set by his predecessor: to establish Orange MEA as a premium multi-service operator. Currently active in several high-growth sectors—including mobile data, mobile finance, cybersecurity, support for technological innovation, and energy—OMEA was the group's primary growth engine in 2024. Comprising 16 African subsidiaries and Jordan, OMEA reported revenues of 7.683 billion euros ($8.2 billion), an 11.1% increase compared to 2023.

Shaker, who has served as CEO of Orange Egypt since May 1, 2018, began his career in the satellite industry. Over more than 25 years, he has played a pivotal role in the technology sector. Orange credits its Egyptian subsidiary's "record levels of growth and profitability, despite a challenging macroeconomic environment" to his leadership. Before taking the helm at Orange Egypt, Shaker held the position of Chief Technology Innovation Officer at OMEA.

Muriel EDJO