Airtel Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun “Segun” Ogunsanya, has retired effective 1 July 2024.
Mr Ogunsanya, who joined Airtel in 2012, ran the Nigeria Operations of the Telecommunications and mobile money company for nine years before he was appointed CEO of the Group in 2021.
With local knowledge of the African landscape and deep distribution experience, he led the company to maintain double-digit revenue growth over many quarters and deliver new, innovative products to its customers across the continent.
Building on the work undertaken as CEO, including launching the company’s first Sustainability Strategy, and given his deep experience across Africa, Mr Ogunsanya will become the Airtel Africa Charitable Foundation’s inaugural Chair. The Charitable Foundation will accelerate the Company’s commitment to its sustainability initiatives and charitable operations across its African locations.
Following his retirement from Airtel Africa, Mr Ogunsanya will also be available to advise the Chairman, the Airtel Africa Board and Chief Executive Officer for 12 months.
The Company also announced the appointment of Sunil Taldar as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer to succeed Mr. Ogunsanya on his retirement. Mr. Taldar, who joined Airtel Africa in October 2023 as Director – Transformation, will begin transitioning to the CEO role, working alongside Mr. Ogunsanya.
Following a transition period, Mr Taldar will be appointed to the Board as an Executive Director and assume the CEO role on 1 July 2024. At that time, Mr. Ogunsanya will step down from the Board and retire from the Company.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Airtel Africa plc said: “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.
“I am pleased Segun has agreed, following his retirement, to assume the new role as Chair of the Airtel Africa Charitable Foundation, where he will bring his visionary leadership to this new philanthropic initiative to advance development and prosperity across Africa. Segun will retire from the Board with our very best wishes and sincere appreciation for everything he has achieved.
Segun 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. We continue to transform lives.”
