Khaled Bichara (1971–2020) was a trailblazing Egyptian entrepreneur and telecom executive whose career left a lasting mark on Africa’s digital infrastructure. After graduating with a BSc in Computer Science from the American University in Cairo, he co-founded LINKdotNET — one of Egypt’s earliest ISPs — which grew under his leadership into a major regional internet services provider. He later joined Orascom Telecom, where he rose to become CEO of the group’s telecom operations, driving growth, strategic mergers, and expansion into new markets.

Beyond telecom, Bichara co-founded Accelero Capital, a private equity platform focused on tech investments across Africa and the MENA region. He also served as Group President and COO of VimpelCom, playing a pivotal role in the merger of Orascom and Wind Telecom into what became one of the world’s largest telecom operators. Known for his innovative mindset, mentorship, and ability to bridge telecom with digital services, Bichara is remembered as a visionary leader who championed connectivity, startup ecosystems, and pan-African growth.