Cassava Technologies makes multiple leadership changesCassava Technologies makes multiple leadership changes

Cassava Technologies has announced ten changes to its leadership team as the pan-African technology group eyes its next growth phase.

The leadership reshuffle comes after the conclusion of a recent equity round and reorganization of Cassava's business to create an integrated digital solutions platform.

In December 2024 Cassava announced the completion of an equity investment round of US$90 million with participation from US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation (Finnfund), and Google LLC.

Additionally, subsidiary Liquid Intelligent Technologies signed new facilities to refinance a South African rand term loan on a multi-tenor basis. The new facilities, equivalent to $220 million, were provided by Standard Bank of South Africa, Rand Merchant Bank, Nedbank of South Africa and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The capital injection will be used to enhance the company's capabilities in providing broadband connectivity, colocation (data centers), cloud, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) and payment services across more than 30 markets in Africa, the Middle East, India and Latin America.

Leadership changes effective from March 1, 2025:

Current Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa CEO, Deon Geyser has been appointed CEO of Liquid Networks for Cassava Technologies.

Related:Liquid Intelligent Technologies extends Botswana fiber network

In his new role, he will be responsible for the connectivity business across Africa, including all of Liquid's fiber, satellite, wireless, wholesale voice and connectivity services.

Ahmed El Beheiry has been appointed COO and chief AI officer for Cassava Technologies and will be responsible for the commercial strategy, business processes, chief information officer, and supply chain.

El Beheiry is currently Cassava group chief digital and AI officer and acting CEO of Liquid Networks. He first joined Cassava Technologies in May 2022 as a senior AI advisor to the group president and CEO and was previously the CEO of Telecom Egypt between 2017 and 2019.

Ziaad Suleman has been appointed CEO of the Cassava business in South Africa, taking over from Geyser. His role is to drive the growth and innovation strategy of the South African operations.

Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa's CEO, Deon Geyser, will become CEO of Liquid Networks for Cassava Technologies on March 1, 2025. (Source: Liquid Intelligent Technologies)

Wellington Makamure has been appointed the CEO of the rest of Africa and international for Cassava Technologies. He is currently CEO of Liquid Networks Central Africa and Zimbabwe.

Adil El Youssefi has been appointed the new CEO of Africa Data Centres. He is currently CEO of Liquid Networks East and West Africa.

Related:Cassava Technologies launches Cassava AI

Finhai Munzara has been appointed the chief corporate development officer for Cassava Technologies and will be responsible for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), corporate finance and strategic partnerships.

Lorreta Songola will assume the role of MD of Cassava's business operations in Zimbabwe.

Leonard Bore is now the chief risk and compliance officer for Cassava Technologies; Sharon Marufu has been appointed the chief supply chain officer for the group; and Bronwen Zehmke is now the group general counsel for Cassava Technologies.

The strategic appointments are all effective from March 1, 2025.

"These leadership changes reflect our commitment to assembling a dynamic, diverse and talented team to drive our company's growth and success," said Hardy Pemhiwa, president and group CEO of Cassava Technologies.

Hardy Pemhiwa, president and group CEO of Cassava Technologies. (Source: Cassava Technologies)

Pemhiwa said the leadership changes, along with the collective efforts of new and existing team members, will set the company up for sustainable, profitable growth in the future.

"Together, we will drive our 'One Cassava' strategy, which brings forward the full capability of the Cassava ecosystem in our chosen markets. This strategy enables us to serve our customers better, achieve faster growth, and cement our competitive position," he added. 

Headquartered in the UK, Cassava has a presence across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the US. Through its business units Cassava AI, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Liquid C2, Africa Data Centres and Sasai Fintech, the company offers products and services in 94 countries.

Cassava Technologies was established in 2021, founded by group chairman Strive Masiyiwa – one of Africa's richest men.