Robert Aouad

CEO at Isocel SA

Speaker

Born and raised in West Africa, in Ghana and Niger respectively, Robert AOUAD studied law and cinematography in France. He began his career as a media reporter in France before moving to the United States to work in the film industry. In 1995, Robert returned to Africa to pursue an entrepreneurial path in Benin, where he built extensive experience in consumer-goods distribution and technology services. In 2000, he founded a company specialising in the marketing of GSM products — his first step into telecommunications, a field he has been passionate about ever since. A dedicated self-learner, he has consistently sought to deepen his expertise in the sector. Robert has long held a clear vision: to promote better internet access for all, and particularly for young people and low-income communities. He is the driving force behind ISOCEL Telecom, which has become the leading private Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Benin, a success story recognised by the many awards the company has received. He has served as chairman of several regional telecom-sector platforms, including BENIN ACE J.V. and COFTEL. He is a regular keynote speaker at leading industry conferences such as the Africa CEO Forum, NetworkX, CCT Africa, AfricaCom, Capacity Africa, GITEX, the FTTH Council and the Benin Investment Forum, among many others.