CMC Networks Appoints Mahesh Jaishankar as Managing Director to Drive Growth of AI-Powered Connectivity Across Africa

Strategic Leadership Reshapes Africa’s Connectivity and Industrial Automation Landscape

A New Vision for AI-Driven Infrastructure

CMC Networks, Africa’s premier networking provider, has appointed Mahesh Jaishankar as Managing Director. This leadership change signals a strategic shift toward AI-powered connectivity solutions. Jaishankar brings 25 years of digital infrastructure expertise to this role. He previously held key positions at Google and Arthur D Little. Moreover, he led the development of datamena as a global digital hub.

Proven Leadership for Digital Transformation

Jaishankar’s background combines technical engineering knowledge with commercial leadership skills. He holds an engineering degree and an MBA. His experience spans hyperscalers, carriers, and enterprise digital transformation. According to MarketsandMarkets, the AI in telecommunications market will reach $19.2 billion by 2028. Therefore, his appointment comes at a crucial time for Africa’s digital growth.

Corporate Vision and Strategic Direction

Fahad Alhajeri, CEO of center3, expressed strong confidence in Jaishankar’s leadership. He emphasized Jaishankar’s proven ability to build regional platforms with global impact. center3 completed its acquisition of CMC Networks in June 2024. Since then, CMC has accelerated its AIOps implementation. The company now leads in AI-powered network operations across Africa.

Accelerating Africa’s Digital Economy

Jaishankar recognizes Africa’s pivotal moment in digital transformation. He commits to leveraging CMC’s 35-year market experience across 62 countries. The company will focus on intelligent, scalable connectivity solutions. These solutions will support growing industrial automation demands across the region. Statista reports Africa’s IoT market will grow to $26.76 billion by 2028.

Industrial Automation Connectivity Solutions

CMC Networks provides critical infrastructure for industrial automation systems. Their connectivity supports:

• Real-time PLC and DCS communication
• Secure SCADA data transmission
• Reliable industrial IoT connectivity
• Mission-critical control systems

These solutions enable factories to implement advanced automation while maintaining operational reliability.

Expert Commentary: The PLCDCSHUB Perspective

From PLCDCSHUB’s industrial automation viewpoint, reliable connectivity forms the backbone of modern smart factories. As Mahesh Jaishankar takes leadership, we anticipate stronger integration between networking infrastructure and industrial control systems. This alignment is crucial for Africa’s manufacturing sector growth. Industrial automation systems increasingly depend on robust, low-latency connectivity for PLCs, DCS, and SCADA systems. Therefore, CMC’s AI-powered networks could significantly enhance operational technology performance across African industries.

For comprehensive industrial automation solutions and control system components, visit PLCDCSHUB for reliable products and technical expertise.

Implementation Case Study: Manufacturing Automation

A leading automotive manufacturer implemented CMC’s connectivity solutions for their production facilities. The results demonstrated significant improvements:

• 99.99% network uptime for critical control systems
• 40% faster data transmission between PLCs
• Real-time monitoring across 15 production lines
• Seamless integration of legacy and modern automation systems

Frequently Asked Questions

How does AI-powered connectivity benefit industrial automation?
AI-enhanced networks provide predictive maintenance, real-time optimization, and automated troubleshooting for industrial control systems.

What makes African industrial automation markets unique?
African markets often combine legacy infrastructure with cutting-edge technology, requiring customized connectivity solutions that bridge different automation generations.

How crucial is network reliability for PLC and DCS systems?
Extremely critical. Even minor network interruptions can cause significant production losses and safety concerns in automated industrial environments.