Airtel Africa appoints Nigerian Segun Ogunsanya as Chief Executive Officer
Airtel Africa Plc, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services in Nigeria and 13 other countries, has today announced the appointment of Mr. Olusegun Ogunsanya as the new Chief Executive Officer.
This appointment follows the retirement notice given by the current Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Raghunath Mandava, to the Board of the telecoms firm.
Following this appointment, Segun Ogunsanya will assume the position of CEO and join the Board of Airtel Africa plc with effect from 1 October 2021.
Segun Ogunsanya has over 25 years of business management experience in the banking, consumer goods, and telecoms sector. He joined Airtel Africa in 2012 as Managing Director and CEO of the Nigeria arm and has been responsible for the overall management of the company’s operations in Nigeria, Airtel’s largest market in Africa.
Before joining Airtel in 2012, Segun held leadership roles at Coca-Cola in Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya (as MD and CEO). He has also been the 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. He is a chartered accountant and a graduate of Electrical & Electronics Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Chairman of Airtel Africa, Mr. Bharti Mittal, said he was delighted to appoint Segun Ogunsanya as the next Group CEO. Adding that, Mr. Ogunsanya had displayed significant drive and energy in turning around the Nigeria business by focusing on network modernization, distribution, and operational efficiency.
He said, “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.’’
In his remarks, Segun Ogunsanya said he feels honored to be appointed as CEO of a Group that continues to make a difference to millions of people by bridging the digital divide and expanding financial inclusion. He described his appointment as an exciting opportunity to position Airtel Africa for further success in a dynamic continent full of potential.
After his retirement, the outgoing CEO, Mandava is expected to be available to advise the Chairman of Airtel Africa, Mr. Bharti Mittal, and the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer for a period of 9 months.