Airtel Africa CEO set to retire, successor named

By Peter Ochieng

Airtel Africa has announced the retirement of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Olusegun Ogunsanya, with effect from 1st July, 2024.

Ogunsanya, who joined Airtel in 2012, ran the Nigeria Operations of the Telecommunications and mobile money company for nine years, before his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Group in 2021.

Upon retirement, he will become Airtel Africa Charitable Foundation’s inaugural Chair.

"The Charitable Foundation will accelerate the Company’s commitment to its sustainability initiatives and charitable operations across its locations in Africa," states a press release seen by Nairobi Review.

The outgoing CEO will also be available to advise the Chairman, the Airtel Africa board and the new Chief Executive Officer for a 12-month period.

The company also announced the appointment of Sunil Taldar as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, to succeed Ogunsanya.

Taldar, who joined Airtel Africa in October 2023 as Director – Transformation, will begin the transition to the CEO role, working alongside Ogunsanya.

Following a transition period, Taldar will be appointed to the board as an Executive Director and assume the role of CEO on 1 July 2024.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Airtel Africa said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Segun Ogansanya for his commitment and significant contribution to Airtel Africa as Chief Executive and before that as Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria, our largest market in Africa."

“I am pleased Segun has agreed, following his retirement, to assume the new role as Chair of the Airtel Africa Charitable Foundation, where he will bring his visionary leadership to this new philanthropic initiative to advance development and prosperity across Africa. Segun will retire from the board with our very best wishes and sincere appreciation for everything he has achieved," he added.

Segun Ogunsanya, the outgoing CEO said it has been nothing but a privilege serving the company for the past 12 years.

“It has been a privilege to spend over 12 years of my career at Airtel Africa and I am proud of what we have delivered for customers across Africa. We continue to transform lives."

He said it is the right time for him to handover to a new leader who can build on Airtel Africa’s strengths, and deliver on the significant opportunities ahead.