Telecommunications and mobile money services giant, Airtel Africa Plc, has appointed Olusegun Ogunsanya, Managing Director and Chief Executive of its Nigeria subsidiary to succeed retiring Raghunath Mandava, from October 1, 2021.
Mandava has informed the board of his intention to retire.
Ogunsanya, an electronics engineer and also a chartered accountant, joined Airtel Africa in 2012 as MD/CEO of Airtel Nigeria, the largest of the group’s market in Africa, after playing leadership roles at Coca-Cola in Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya (as MD and CEO).
He was also Managing Director of Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd (Coca-Cola Hellenic owned) and Group head of retail banking operations at Ecobank Transnational Inc, covering 28 countries in Africa.
Following his cessation of employment at Airtel Africa, a statement by the group said “Mandava will be available to advise the Chairman, the Airtel Africa Board and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a 9-month period.”
Speaking on the impending change of guards, Sunil Bharti Mittal, the group’s chairman expressed delight on the appointment, noting that Ogunsanya “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 in the next stages of its development,” he added.
He also expressed the board’s appreciation to the outgoing CEO “for being instrumental in successfully leading and transforming Airtel Africa into a powerhouse telecommunications and mobile money company.
“Throughout that time, Raghu has worked tirelessly first to repair and then to strengthen Airtel Africa’s business and to champion our stakeholders. As we look forward to Segun assuming his new role in October 2021, we do so from a position of great strength as a result of Raghu’s highly effective stewardship.
“Raghu will retire from the Board with our very best wishes and sincere appreciation for everything he has achieved,” he stressed.
Mandava, on his part, expressed gratitude “to Airtel Africa for providing me and my team the opportunity to transform the business and fulfil our responsibility to the countries in which we operate. It has been a privilege to serve in the African continent and I cherish my time here. Airtel Africa is a remarkable business with fantastic people. Having been at Bharti Airtel for 13 years and at Airtel Africa for 5 years as Chief Executive Officer, I feel now is the right time to take a sabbatical.
“The last five years have been an exhilarating journey where we have been able to turnaround and transform the business into a strong high growth and profitable company.
“We have been able to build the business with our unique management and problemsolving approach to bring in substantial performance improvement. I am very proud of what we have achieved over the past 5 years in Africa, and I look forward to seeing the Company make even greater progress over the coming years.”
The statement also quoted Ogunsanya as saying he is honoured as an African for the appointment, coming 9 years after becoming a part of the Airtel Africa journey, “to lead a group that continues to make a difference to millions of people, bridge the digital divide and expand financial inclusion.
“This is an exciting opportunity to position Airtel Africa for further success in a dynamic continent full of potential. I look forward to building on the achievements of the last five years during Raghu’s leadership,” he assured.
