AFRICA – Airtel Africa Plc, a provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, has announced the appointment of Mr Olusegun Ogunsanya as the new Chief Executive Officer.
This follows the notice of retirement given by the current Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Raghunath Mandava, to the Board of the telecoms firm.
As per the statement issued by the telco, Segun Ogunsanya will join the Board of Africa business from October 1, 2021. Along with this, the telco also appointed CFO Jaideep Paul as an Executive Director. He will join the Board of Directors with effect from June 1, 2021.
Segun Ogunsanya joined Airtel Africa in 2012 as Managing Director and CEO Nigeria. During his stint, he was responsible for the business management in Nigeria, which is the largest market for the telco in Africa.
Segun has more than 25 years of business management experience in banking, consumer goods and telecoms. Before joining Airtel in 2012, Segun held leadership roles at Coca-Cola in Ghana, Nigeria, and Keya (as the Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer) before joining Airtel.
He has also been the Managing Director of Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd (Coca-Cola Hellenic owned) and Group Head of retail banking operations at Ecobank Transnational Inc, covering 28 countries in Africa. He is an Electronics Engineer and also a chartered accountant.
“Having been part of the Airtel Africa journey for the past nine years, I am looking forward to taking up the role of Chief Executive Officer. On a personal note, as an African, I feel honoured to have the opportunity to lead a Group that continues to make a difference to millions of people, bridge the digital divide and expand financial inclusion,” said Ogunsanya after his appointment.
Raghu Mandava will be retiring as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, as a Director of Airtel Africa plc and as a member of the Market Disclosure Committee on 30 September 2021.
“I am thankful to Airtel Africa for providing me and my team the opportunity to transform the business and fulfil our responsibility to the countries in which we operate,” he said.
“It has been a privilege to serve in the African continent and I cherish my time here. Airtel Africa is a remarkable business with fantastic people. Having been at Bharti Airtel for 13 years and at Airtel Africa for 5 years as Chief Executive Officer, I feel now is the right time to take a sabbatical.”
Arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. Following his cessation of employment at Airtel Africa, Mandava will be available to advise the Chairman, the Airtel Africa Board and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a 9-month period.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Board Chairman, said that an announcement naming Segun Ogunsanya’s successor as Managing Director and CEO Nigeria will be made soon.
“We are delighted to appoint Segun Ogunsanya as the Group’s next Chief Executive Officer. He has displayed significant drive and energy in turning around the Nigeria business by focusing on network modernisation, distribution, and operational efficiency,” he said.
“It is this commitment, together with his industry experience, strategic vision, constant customer focus and proven record of delivery that will enable him to continue to deliver our strategic objectives and to lead the Group in the next stages of its development.”
Additionally, the telecom operator has appointed Chief Financial Officer Jaideep Paul as an Executive Director who would join the Board of Directors with effect from June 1, 2021.
