Formerly Mahesh Jaishankar was an advisor at Arthur D Little, led Strategic Negotiations, GNA at Google and helped launch du’s datamena
CMC Networks, a network provider and a subsidiary of center3 has appointed Mahesh Jaishankar as Managing Director. He will lead the company’s strategy to drive growth in AI-powered connectivity, combined with on-the-ground expertise across Africa and the Middle East. Jaishankar succeeds Marisa Trisolino, who served as CEO of CMC Networks until her departure in April 2025.
Trisolino left to become CEO of euNetworks, the European critical bandwidth infrastructure company, assuming the role on 12 May, as the interim CEO, Kevin Dean, moved to chair euNetworks.
Jaishankar previously held an advisory position at Arthur D Little and served as Head of Strategic Negotiations, GNA at Google. He was also instrumental in the launch and growth of datamena as a global digital hub while at du – the regional connectivity ecosystem designed for hyperscalers, OTT players, carriers and enterprises wanting straightforward access to the Middle East and Africa.
Jaishankar holds a degree in engineering and an MBA, and has combined technical expertise with commercial leadership throughout his career, according to CMC. Beyond corporate roles, he has supported entrepreneurship and innovation across the region as a charter member of TiE Dubai.
Deep experience over 25 years
Fahad Alhajeri, CEO of center3 and Chairman of CMC Networks, said, “Mahesh brings over 25 years of experience in building and scaling advanced digital infrastructure businesses. His deep expertise with hyperscalers, carriers, and enterprises, coupled with a proven track record of establishing regional platforms with global relevance, makes him ideally suited to lead CMC Networks into its next phase of growth.”
“We are confident that under his leadership, CMC will strengthen its position as the leading provider of intelligent, AI-driven connectivity solutions across Africa and the Middle East.”
center3 completed the acquisition of CMC Networks in June 2024. Since the acquisition, CMC Networks says it has accelerated the adoption of AI for IT operations (AIOps), with the intention of “taking a leadership position in AIOps in African connectivity”, building on its with 35 years’ on-the-ground, serving 62 markets across Africa and the Middle East. CMC Networks’ connectivity solutions include dedicated internet access, MPLS, SD-WAN, Ethernet, satellite, Infrastructure-as-a-Service and more.
Jaishankar himself comments, “CMC has an incredible heritage, and proven track record of delivering industry-leading customer experience across the most complex markets in the world. Together with our customers and partners, we will accelerate growth, unlock new opportunities, and deliver the intelligent, scalable connectivity solutions that Africa and the Middle East need to thrive in the digital era.”
