Mitesh Popat has joined Next Communications as Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, according to his LinkedIn update.Popat said he is joining the company alongside Jignesh Dave and Vishal Dave, with the venture focused on enabling “brand-led connectivity” that is instant, programmable and designed for enterprises to support growth.He described the venture as being in its early stages, adding that there is significant work ahead to build the business. Popat also highlighted the importance of team and ambition in turning an idea into something people can rely on.Prior to joining Next Communications, Popat served as Chief Financial Officer at Flutterwave from June 2024 to September 2026. He will continue with Flutterwave as a Strategic Advisor.Before Flutterwave, Popat spent nearly 18 years at Citi, where he held several leadership roles across finance, treasury, capital planning and operations. His most recent Citi role was Chief Financial Officer, Middle East and Africa, which he held from November 2023 to May 2024.During his tenure at Citi, Popat also served as Chief Financial Officer, Global Equities Sales and Trading and Market Research; Head of Recovery and Resolution Planning, Treasury; Head of Capital Forecasting and Analytics, Treasury; Chief Transformation Officer, Capital Planning; and Chief Operating Officer, Sub-Saharan Africa, among other roles.