Exclusive: Dismissal of “Bouzouida” Shakes Libya’s Telecom Sector After Clash with GNU Over Spending and Corruption

Our exclusive sources in the telecommunications sector revealed that Prime Minister Dbeibeh has initiated a new management change at the Telecommunications Holding Company, appointing Ali Bin Gharbia as the new chairman, replacing Youssef Bouzouida.

Sources explained that Bouzouida’s dismissal stems from his explicit instructions to halt all spending and commitments related to corporate social responsibility, including any financial or in-kind support for events, both domestic and international, and to stop signing any contracts that incur financial obligations without his personal approval.

These measures reportedly clashed with the interests of the Unity Government, which relies on telecom sector funds to cover part of its expenditures. Bouzouida also reportedly communicated with the Audit Bureau regarding widespread corruption in the telecom sector, including oil-related contracts, excessive spending, contract signings, and mismanagement of company investments.

The sector faced financial and administrative instability, primarily due to imprudent practices during the previous administration. Initial audits revealed uncontrolled expansion in committees and working groups, inflating costs and bonuses. The number of committees was reduced from 87 to 17, with ongoing follow-ups. Over 50 collaboration contracts were canceled due to non-performance.

Inter-company financial reviews for 2024 showed that Bouzouida had authorized spending from subsidiary accounts and deducted it from their dividends, creating significant expenditures, liquidity shortages, and accumulating debts.

Under the previous management, Libya Cell had exclusive agency contracts at inflated rates, causing subsidiaries like Al-Madar Al-Jadeed, Libyana, and Libya Telecom & Technology losses totaling 430 million LYD between 2023–2025. The current management canceled exclusivity contracts, introducing competition and saving subsidiaries 438 million LYD annually.

Exclusive agency agreements for services to oil companies had previously been transferred from Al-Jeel Al-Jadeed to Rawafed Libya, granting it sole provider status for telecom services in Libya’s oil fields. Bouzouida canceled these agreements, and reports indicated Rawafed was reselling services at over seven times the cost. The new management canceled all agreements, restored services to the Holding Company subsidiaries, and formed a committee to coordinate with the National Oil Corporation.

Excessive CSR spending continued despite Audit Bureau directives to halt it since 2021, and previous management misallocated digital transformation project funds, harming cash balances. The current administration stopped such expenditures to preserve liquidity and prioritize strategic investments.

Additionally, unauthorized spending and contract signings for projects outside the telecom sector, including mismanagement of Bouzval Italy investments (87 million euros, with 17 million improperly transferred via Libyana), were investigated, with complaints referred to competent authorities.

Bouzouida also monopolized decision-making within subsidiaries from 2022 to early 2025, negatively impacting their financial and administrative health.

Bouzouida called on the Audit Bureau to support the Holding Company and its subsidiaries in restructuring and development to provide better telecom services across Libya and enhance company revenues, contributing to overall national income.