AFRICA: Airtel Africa PLC, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services in 14 countries across Africa, has announced a leadership change. The current Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun “Segun” Ogunsanya, will retire on July 1, 2024, after serving the company for 12 years. He will be succeeded by Sunil Taldar, who joined Airtel Africa in October 2023 as Director-Transformation.
Ogunsanya, who joined Airtel in 2012, ran the Nigeria Operations of the telecommunications and mobile money company for nine years before he was appointed CEO of the Group in 2021. During his tenure, he led the company in maintaining double-digit revenue growth over many quarters and delivering new, innovative products to its customers across the continent. He also launched the company’s first Sustainability Strategy.
Following his retirement, Ogunsanya will become the inaugural Chair of the Airtel Africa Charitable Foundation, a separate legal entity that will be independent of the Airtel Africa Group. The foundation’s objectives will focus on promoting digital inclusion, financial inclusion, access to education, and environmental protection.
Sunil Taldar, who has industry experience, strategic vision, constant customer focus, and a proven record of delivery, 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.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Airtel Africa PLC, thanked Ogunsanya for his commitment and significant contribution to the company as CEO and before that as Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria, the company’s largest market in Africa. He also expressed his delight in appointing Taldar as the Group’s next CEO, stating that his strategic vision and proven record of delivery would enable him to lead the Group in the next stages of its development.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Airtel Africa plc 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 lead the Group in the next stages of its development.
Concerning 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.”
Segun Ogunsanya, Chief Executive 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 hand over 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 and Telecommunications”.
Ogunsanya expressed his pride in what the company has delivered for customers across Africa during his tenure and his ambition to pursue his renewed interest in the empowerment of Africans through digital and financial inclusion in a different capacity beyond the boundaries of for-profit organizations.
The Airtel Africa PLC’s leadership change is expected to ensure a smooth transition and handover of responsibilities, enabling the company to continue providing a simple and intuitive customer experience through streamlined customer journeys.
