Richard Walwasa, MBA

Chief Technical Officer @ TowerCo of Africa

About

Telecommunications and Technology Executive | Data-Driven Leader in Operations and Infrastructure Management Over 20 years of expertise leading multicultural and virtual teams across Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Kenya, with a focus on ICT operations, infrastructure resilience, and strategic service delivery. Proven capabilities in managing Tier 1 vendors (Huawei, ZTE, Ericsson, Motorola, Alcatel-Lucent, Nokia Siemens) and subcontract partners, with experience handling virtual teams made up of employees, vendors, and partners across Africa. Extensive experience in passive infrastructure management, operations design, field maintenance, and fixed wireless and Fibre broadband transmission systems. Instrumental in implementing and operationalizing Google’s first fiber infrastructure project in Africa (Project Link), now CSquared. Key Achievements and Expertise 1. Interim CEO, Towerco of Africa Uganda a). Led the organization through a critical transition period, ensuring operational continuity and achieving strategic priorities. b). Secured 37 Build-to-Suit (B2S) sites and 119 co-location projects for 2025, strengthening key client relationships with MTN, Airtel, and Lyca. c). Maintained an employee satisfaction index above 75% while implementing leadership team alignment strategies. d). Drove successful fundraising efforts, finalized equipment procurement for 2025 rollouts, and delivered comprehensive handover documentation for the incoming CEO. e). Advanced operational efficiency by integrating data-driven tools like TARANTULA - Red Cube, ALFRED, E'Lock Systems, RMS Saltec and ERP Sage for real-time monitoring and analytics. 2. Data Science and Machine Learning Expertise a). Applied data science techniques to optimize network uptime, predict potential maintenance needs, and enhance service delivery efficiency. b). Developed machine learning models for customer behavior prediction and infrastructure usage analytics, contributing to strategic planning and decision-making. c). Built insights-driven dashboards and reports, improving vendor management and O&M performance tracking. 3. Operations and Infrastructure Leadership a). Oversaw implementation and management of broadband technologies, including the operational success of optical fiber networks across East Africa. b). Expert in Six Sigma Black Belt practices, driving continuous improvement in processes and operational excellence. c). Adept in budgeting, strategic planning, and vendor management, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and cost efficiencies.

Country

Uganda

City

Kampala

Industry

Computer Software

Skill

Digital Transformation, Multi-Country Program Management, Vendor & Stakeholder Management, AI/ML Strategy, Global Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Data Analytics & BI, Systems Integration, Process Harmonisation, Sustainable Technology Strategy, ESG Alignment, Infrastructure Technologies, Information Technology Infrastructure, Commercial Operation, Data Analysis, Business Process Improvement, Integrated Management Systems, Information Technology, Business Operations , Analytical Skills, Contract Management

Experience

Chief Technical Officer

TowerCo of Africa

2025-11 - Present · 11 mos

Kampala

Chief Technical Officer at TowerCo of Africa | Digital Infrastructure Leader | 25+ Years Telecom & Technology Excellence | Transforming Tower and Digital infrastructure Operations Across Sub-Saharan Africa

Manager: Group Operations Excellence

TowerCo of Africa

2023-7 - 2025-10 · 2 yrs 4 mos

Mauritius

Spearheading operational excellence across TowerCo's African operations, Axian Group. I focus on streamlining processes and enhancing system efficiency to boost performance. My expertise lies in deploying Lean Six Sigma methodologies, automating network operation processes, and driving strategic initiatives for operational and energy efficiency. With two decades of experience in telecom and tower network operations, I leverage my strong leadership and analytical skills to achieve high-quality operational outcomes and sustainable growth.

Interim Chief Executive Officer & Manager: Group Operations Excellence

TowerCo of Africa

2024-11 - 2025-2 · 4 mos

Kampala

As Interim CEO of Towerco of Africa Uganda, I have had the privilege of leading the organization during a pivotal transition period. My focus has been on maintaining operational continuity, driving strategic initiatives, and supporting the seamless transition from the outgoing Executive Committee to the incoming full-time CEO. Key Highlights: 1. Operational Excellence: Ensured uninterrupted service delivery while overseeing critical projects, including securing 37 Build-to-Suit sites and 119 co-location projects for 2025. 2. Leadership Impact: Maintained team alignment and morale, achieving an employee satisfaction index above 75% during this interim period. 3. Strategic Initiatives: Advanced key organizational objectives, such as completing a major fundraising initiative and finalizing equipment orders for upcoming infrastructure rollouts. 4. Regulatory and Stakeholder Engagement: Strengthened relationships with clients, partners, and regulators to uphold Towerco’s reputation as a reliable B2B infrastructure provider. 5. Transition Leadership: Delivered comprehensive handover documentation and actionable plans to facilitate a smooth transition to the substantive CEO.

Service Consultant: Network Operations

United Wireless Pty Ltd

2021-7 - 2023-6 · 2 yrs

South Africa

Operational efficiency, network deployment, service delivery, asset management, and field operations management to scale are my key responsibilities in Africa Regional Operations:

Digital Infrastructure Resilience Expert

International Telecommunication Union

2022-12 - 2023-4 · 5 mos

Kampala, Central Region, Uganda

Connect2Recover is a global ITU project that aims to improve the digital infrastructure and ecosystems in countries that have been affected by disasters. As part of COVID-19 recovery strategies, Connect2Recover wants to make it easier for people to take steps toward affordable and reliable connectivity.

Operations and Maintenance Consultant

IHS Towers

2021-4 - 2021-8 · 5 mos

Kigali, Kigali City, Rwanda

Providing infrastructure, service delivery, asset management and project management consulting services: Expert in infrastructure, service delivery, asset management, and project management: Improve productivity and quality standards Maintain compliance with global standards for operations Organize a local team to improve reliability Infra optimization, analysis to improve efficiency

Independent Telecom and ICT professional - Consultant, June 2019 to March 2021

GLG

2019-6 - 2021-3 · 1 yr 10 mos

Nairobi, Kenya

Consulting on ICT, Technology and Telecommunications projects in Africa.

Regional Networks Operations Manager - Africa

CSquared

2017-11 - 2019-6 · 1 yr 8 mos

Nairobi, Kenya

CSquared (www.csquared.com) is a wholesale fiber infrastructure company that builds and operates metropolitan fiber networks, FTTx and WiFi infrastructure in Uganda, Ghana, and Liberia. It is jointly owned by Google, Convergence Partners, IFC and Mitsui & Co. Provided oversight over all activities related to regional metro fiber network Implementation and operations primarily through a centralized Network Operations Center (NOC), Vendor Service delivery management for FTTx, WiFi and Quality of Service for operations in Uganda, Liberia and Ghana and to provide strategic operations leadership for new markets business operations and shared fiber infrastructure services management (Fiberco).

Program Manager, Network Operations, Africa Access

Google

2015-3 - 2017-10 · 2 yrs 8 mos

Nairobi, Kenya

Increase Velocity, efficiency, quality and automation across the Network Operations Organization. Conduct work flow audits and perform analyses to identify ways to improve operational processes, data consistency and optimize tool efficiency.