Airtel Nigeria Appoints As New CEO And MD

Airtel Nigeria Appoints Dinesh Balsingh As New CEO And MD

ByJoan Kaberia November 28, 2024November 28, 2024

2 min read

Balsingh has extensive experience across the telecommunications industry and returns to Nigeria following his appointment as Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Tanzania in 2022.

Airtel Nigeria has announced the appointment of Dinesh Balsingh as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director, effective November 1, 2024. Balsingh succeeds Carl Cruz, following his resignation at the end of October, after he decided to return to the Philippines.

In a statement signed by Femi Adeniran, the Director of Corporate Communications and CSR at Airtel Nigeria, the company highlighted Balsingh’s vast experience in the telecommunications industry. Balsingh first joined Airtel Nigeria in 2013 as Marketing Director, bringing with him leadership experience from previous roles at Airtel India and Tata Docomo.

“Balsingh has extensive experience across the telecommunications industry and returns to Nigeria following his appointment as Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Tanzania in 2022. Before his move to Tanzania, he served as the Chief Commercial Officer at Airtel Nigeria and therefore brings with him considerable experience of the Nigerian telecommunications market,” the statement reads in part.

Commenting on the leadership change, Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar, expressed confidence in Balsingh’s ability to steer Airtel Nigeria forward.

“Balsingh’s deep telecommunications experience and strong operational execution, combined with his knowledge of the Nigerian market, will be instrumental in further supporting our corporate purpose of transforming lives across Nigeria,” Taldar said.

Balsingh’s career in telecommunications spans over 24 years, starting with Hutchison Essar in 2000. His experience continued to grow as he took on key roles, including Marketing Director at Airtel India in 2006 and leadership positions at Tata Docomo in 2011. In 2013, he joined Airtel Nigeria as Marketing Director, later rising to the role of Chief Commercial Officer in 2018. His leadership journey culminated in his appointment as Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Tanzania in 2022.

Balsingh holds a Master of Business Administration from Thiagarajar School of Management, a qualification that enhances his extensive industry expertise.