Amsterdam (May 12, 2016) - VimpelCom Ltd. (NASDAQ: VIP), the international communications and technology company that is committed to bringing the digital world to each and every customer, today announces the appointment of Tom Gutjahr as Chief Executive Officer of Djezzy, VimpelCom's Algerian operation. The appointment is effective July 1, 2016.

Tom will be responsible for leading Djezzy's transformation into a digital leader while leveraging the brand's strong position in the local market.

Commenting on the appointment, Jon Eddy, VimpelCom Head of Emerging Markets, said: 'We are pleased to welcome Tom to the VimpelCom team and as Djezzy's new CEO. Tom has extensive experience in senior roles in the frontier markets and is ideally placed to lead Djezzy as it transforms into a digital leader. Djezzy has a proud history in Algeria, serving more than 17 million customers, and Tom will play a key role in driving the change to ensure Djezzy meets the future needs of Algerians as the economy develops. Algeria is a key market for VimpelCom and we look forward to supporting Djezzy with the benefits and synergies that come from being part of our international group. '

'I am very pleased that Tom will be joining our team. In addition to his deep knowledge of Algeria, he brings to Djezzy vast experience in digital services and transformation. I look forward to working with Tom and our colleagues across the organization to create the new Djezzy which is focused on bringing improved digital services to our customers in Algeria,' said Vincenzo Nesci, Executive Chairman of Djezzy.

VimpelCom operates under the Djezzy brand name in Algeria through a strategic partnership with the Fonds National d'Investissement (the 'FNI'), the Algerian National Investment Fund, and has been a pioneer in the Algerian market since 2001. Under Tom's leadership, Djezzy will bring new digital services to the Algerian market including the further rollout of 3G and 4G, mobile financial services and supporting startups and B2B services - all aimed at digital enablement of the Algerian market.

Prior to joining VimpelCom, Tom served as CEO of Airtel Uganda, from 2014, and was previously CEO of Tigo Paraguay from 2012 to 2014, CEO of Tigo Rwanda in 2011, and CEO of Tigo Chad from 2008 to 2010. He previously worked at Djezzy from 2005 to 2008, where he was Head of Marketing, for the Corporate and Business Segment, and Head of Products and Services Marketing.

Tom is a graduate of the Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria, and the Université Louis Pasteur Strasbourg, France. He is a French and Arabic speaker.

Disclamer

This release contains 'forward-looking statements', as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and include statements relating to, among other things, future market developments and trends; future operational and network development and network investment; and VimpelCom's strategic priorities, including with respect to, among other things, its planned performance transformation, the roll out of digital services and expected digitalization. The forward-looking statements included in this release are based on management's best assessment of VimpelCom's strategic and financial position and of future market conditions, trends and other potential developments. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those express or implied by such forward-looking statements or assumptions. Certain other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking statements include the risk factors described in VimpelCom Ltd.'s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015 and other public filings made by VimpelCom Ltd. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and VimpelCom disclaims any obligation to update them or to announce publicly any revision to any of the forward-looking statements contained in these presentations, or to make corrections to reflect future events or developments.

About VimpelCom

VimpelCom (NASDAQ: VIP) is an international communications and technology company driven by a vision to unlock new opportunities for customers as they navigate the digital world. Present in some of the world's most dynamic markets, VimpelCom provides more than 200 million customers with voice, fixed broadband, data and digital services. VimpelCom's heritage as a pioneer in technology is the driving force behind a major transformation focused on bringing the digital world to each and every customer. VimpelCom offers services to customers in 14 markets including Russia, Italy, Algeria, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Georgia, Laos, and Zimbabwe. VimpelCom operates under the 'Beeline', 'Kyivstar', 'WIND', 'Mobilink', 'banglalink', 'Telecel', and 'Djezzy' brands.

Follow us on Twitter @VimpelCom, visit our blog @ blog.vimpelcom.com or website @http://www.vimpelcom.com

Contact information

Media and Public Relations

VimpelCom Ltd.
Neil Moorhouse
Tel: +31 20 79 77 200 (Amsterdam)
pr@vimpelcom.com

Investor Relations

VimpelCom Ltd.
Kseniia Gangrskaia
ir@vimpelcom.com
Tel: +31 20 79 77 200 (Amsterdam)

VimpelCom Ltd. published this content on 12 May 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 12 May 2016 04:32:09 UTC.

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