Johan Buse Appointed as New CEO of Banglalink

Johan Buse, a seasoned telecom executive, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Banglalink, a leading private mobile operator in Bangladesh. The announcement was made on Monday (March 17) by VEON, the global digital operator that owns Banglalink. His appointment will take effect on April 6, 2025.

With this transition, Erik Aas’ nearly decade-long tenure as CEO will come to an end, making way for Johan Buse to take charge of the company’s leadership.

According to Banglalink, Johan Buse brings decades of experience in the telecommunications sector across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Prior to this role, he served as the Chief Commercial Officer of Ooredoo Oman and held senior positions at Deutsche Telekom Croatia, Axis, and Singtel. Most recently, he led strategy and business transformation for the Consumer Business Group at StarHub in Singapore.

VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioğlu, expressing enthusiasm over the appointment, stated:
"First, I would like to welcome Johan to VEON and Banglalink. His extensive experience across several emerging markets will accelerate our digital expansion while also contributing to Bangladesh’s economic growth. I am also deeply grateful to Erik Aas for his exceptional leadership over the past nine years. Under his tenure, Banglalink expanded nationwide, ensured a superior 4G experience for all, and brought digital excellence to services like Toffee, MyBL, and Rise."

Reflecting on his time at Banglalink, outgoing CEO Erik Aas said:
"It has been a privilege to lead Banglalink’s outstanding team for the past nine years. Championing VEON’s innovative vision of ‘4G for All’ and ensuring digital services for millions of Bangladeshis has been truly rewarding. I am confident that under Johan Buse’s capable leadership, this progress will continue. With a world-class team at Banglalink, I look forward to seeing him take the company to new heights."

Commenting on his new role, Johan Buse expressed excitement about the opportunities ahead:
"I am truly honored to lead Banglalink at such a pivotal time for customer-centric value creation and to take over from Erik. Bangladesh is undergoing a historic transformation, where connectivity and digital services are more crucial than ever. We have a unique opportunity to bridge the digital divide, accelerate innovation, and create positive change in the lives of millions. I eagerly look forward to working with our exceptional team and serving our customers to harness these possibilities."

With Johan Buse at the helm, Banglalink is expected to further its digital expansion and continue driving connectivity innovations across Bangladesh.