Alan Knott-Craig Sr. is one of Africa’s most influential telecommunications pioneers, best known as the Founding Chief Executive Officer of Vodacom, where he led the company from its inception in 1994 to 2008. Under his leadership, Vodacom grew from a startup joint venture between Telkom and Vodafone into Africa’s largest mobile operator, connecting tens of millions across South Africa, Lesotho, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A professional engineer by training, Knott-Craig began his career at the South African Post Office before joining Telkom SA, where he helped lay the foundation for South Africa’s digital network infrastructure. His technical expertise and strategic foresight were instrumental in shaping the continent’s early GSM ecosystem, setting the stage for mobile penetration that would transform African societies and economies.

Beyond Vodacom, Knott-Craig Sr. became a mentor and advocate for expanding affordable communications across Africa. In 2012, he briefly led Cell C, where he focused on improving service quality and customer experience. Over the years, he has served on numerous boards, written extensively on leadership and telecommunications, and received multiple honors, including an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University for his contribution to South Africa’s ICT sector. His career embodies a blend of technical mastery, visionary leadership, and a lifelong commitment to connecting people — earning him recognition as one of the true builders of Africa’s digital foundation.