Sam Darwish is a U.S.-based entrepreneur active in the telecommunications industry. He is the Chairman and CEO of IHS Towers, which operates over 39,000 telecom towers across Africa and Latin America. IHS Towers became publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in October 2021.
Early Life and Education
Darwish was raised and educated in Beirut, Lebanon, during the Lebanese Civil War.
Business Career
- 1992 – Began career at MCI in Beirut, then one of the world’s largest telecom carriers.
- Joined Libancell (now MTC Touch), where he played a major role in launching Lebanon’s first mobile network.
- 1998 – Appointed Deputy Managing Director of Motophone, Nigeria’s first GSM operator.
- 2001 – Founded IHS Towers after Nigeria's telecom sector privatization initiative.
- IHS has become one of Africa’s largest equity fundraisers.
- October 2021 – IHS became the largest African-heritage company to IPO on the NYSE.
Awards and Recognition
- 2015 – Nominated Business Leader of the Year (West Africa), All Africa Business Leaders Awards (with CNBC Africa).
- 2016 – Won the award for founding and leading IHS Towers.
Other Ventures
Sam Darwish has also founded and led several other companies and initiatives:
- Vorex – Software solutions for small businesses in the U.S.
- Singularity Investments – Private investment firm
- Dar Properties and Dar Telecom
Philanthropy and Community Involvement
- Supports incubator programs for tech entrepreneurs in Lagos
- Finances educational facilities in underserved communities across Africa
- 2015 – Served as judge for She Leads Africa, supporting women entrepreneurs
- Advisory Board Member – Woodrow Wilson Center, Washington, DC
- Trustee – Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
References
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