Sunil Taldar To Step In As New CEO, Airtel Africa.

Airtel Africa officially announced the retirement of OleSegun(Segun) Ogunsanya, the Chief Executive Officer. The company has now named Sunil Taldar as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer to succeed Ogunsanya on his retirement as of July 1^st, 2024.

Ogunsanya has an extensive 12-year experience in the telco sector. He joined Airtel in 2012, overseeing the telecommunications and mobile money operations in Nigeria for nine years before assuming the role of Group CEO in 2021.

Expressing his gratitude, 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. 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.”

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Airtel Africa plc, acknowledged Ogusanya’s contributions and announced Taldar’s appointment as the new CEO.

“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,” Mittal said.

He proceeded to say, “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.”

Taldar, who joined Airtel in October 2023 as the Director of transformation will transition to his new role working alongside Ogunsanya. Following the transition period, Taldar will be appointed to the Board as an Executive Director and assume the role of CEO on 1 July 2024, at which time Ogunsanya will step down from the Board and retire from the Company.

Ogunsanya leaves a lasting legacy, including the launch of the company’s first sustainability strategy showcasing his experience across Africa. The organization recognized his impact by appointing him as the Chairperson Airtel Africa Charitable Foundation. The foundation will be a legal and independent entity of the Airtel Africa group mandated with promoting digital and financial inclusion, access to education, and environmental protection.

Upon retirement, Ogunsanya will continue to provide advisory support to the Chairman, Airtel Africa Board, and the CEO for 12 months.