Airtel
Africa retires Ogunsanya
Airtel Africa Plc yesterday
announced the retirement of its Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun Ogunsanya,
with effect from July 1, 2024.
Ogunsanya who joined Airtel in
2012, ran the Nigeria operations of the telco and mobile money company for nine
years before his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Group in 2021
will be will be replaced by Sunil Taldar as Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer.
With local knowledge of the
African landscape and deep distribution experience he led the company in
maintaining double-digit revenue growth over many quarters and to deliver new,
innovative products to its customers across the continent.
Building on the work
undertaken during his time as CEO, including the launch of the company’s first
Sustainability Strategy, and given his deep experience across Africa, Mr.
Ogunsanya will become the 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. The Charitable Foundation’s objectives will focus on promoting
digital inclusion, financial inclusion, access to education, and environmental
protection. The Charitable Foundation will be a separate legal entity and be
independent of the Airtel Africa Group.
Following his retirement from
Airtel Africa Plc, Mr. Ogunsanya will also be available to advise the Chairman,
the Airtel Africa Board and Chief Executive Officer for a 12-month period.
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 July 1, 2024, at which time Ogunsanya
will step down from the Board and retire from the Company.
Speaking on the development, Chairman
of Airtel Africa Plc, Sunil Bharti Mittal, said: “On behalf of the Board, I
would like to thank Segun Ogansanya for his commitment and significant
contribution to Airtel Africa plc 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.
“The Board is delighted to
appoint Sunil Taldar as the Group's next Chief Executive Officer. His industry
experience, strategic vision, constant customer focus and proven record of
delivery will enable him to deliver our strategic objectives and to lead the
Group in the next stages of its development.
“In respect of the transition
period, Segun continues to lead the business very effectively as seen in our
financial results. Given that Sunil Taldar has already joined the Group, we are
confident that we will have an orderly leadership transition and handover of
responsibilities.”
Ogunsanya said: “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. Now is the right time for me to handover to a new leader who can build
on Airtel Africa’s strengths and deliver on the significant opportunities ahead
as I pursue my renewed interest in the empowerment of Africans through digital
and financial inclusion in a different capacity beyond the boundaries of
for-profit organizations. This has been my ambition after a successful career
spanning over 35 years in banking, FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) and telecommunications.”
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