BY SALIM KALANZI
Airtel Africa has appointed Olusegun Ogunsanya as new chief executive officer effective October this year.
Ogunsanya is currently serving as the Airtel Nigeria chief executive. He will replace Raghunath Mandava, who informed the company of his intention to retire.
In his new role, he will oversee the company’s operations in 14 African countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania among others.
“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,” Ogunsanya said in a statement issued by the company in London on Wednesday.
The Nigerian joined Airtel Africa in 2012 as Airtel Nigeria chief executive and has more than 25 years of business management experience in banking, consumer goods and telecoms.
Before then, he held leadership roles at Coca-Cola in Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya.
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“He has displayed significant drive and energy in turning around the Nigeria business by focusing on network modernisation, distribution, and operational efficiency.
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 to the next stages of its development,” Airtel Africa board chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said in a statement.
