Airtel Africa names Segun Ogunsanya as company’s new MD & CEO

Airtel Africa on Thursday named Olusegun (Segun) Ogunsanya, MD and CEO of Nigeria as the successor of Raghunath Mandava, as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for Africa business,, following Mandava’s announcement to retire.

Segun Ogunsanya will join the Board of Airtel Africa with effect from October 1, 2021, the Sunil Mittal-driven telco in a statement said.

Additionally, the telecom operator has appointed Chief Financial Officer Jaideep Paul as an Executive Director who would join the Board of Directors with effect from June 1, 2021.

Airtel shares were 0.15% down at Rs 543.50 in Thursday afternoon trade on BSE.

Segun Ogunsanya joined Airtel Africa in 2012 as Managing Director and CEO Nigeria and has been responsible for the overall management of the telco’s largest market in Nigeria, its largest market in Africa.

He comes with over 25 years of business management experience in banking, consumer goods, and telecoms.

“Raghu Mandava will be retiring as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, as a Director of Airtel Africa plc, and as a member of the Market Disclosure Committee on 30 September 2021. Arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. Following his cessation of employment at Airtel Africa, Mr. 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,” the telco said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the telco said it will name Segun’s successor as Managing Director and CEO Nigeria soon.

“We are delighted to appoint Segun Ogunsanya as the Group’s next Chief Executive Officer. He has displayed significant drive and energy in turning around the Nigeria business by focusing on network modernisation, distribution, and operational efficiency,” Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, said.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Raghu Mandava for being instrumental in successfully leading and transforming Airtel Africa into powerhouse telecommunications and mobile money company… 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,” Mittal added.

“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 do a turnaround and transform the business into strong high growth and profitable company,” said Raghu Mandava.

“Having been part of the Airtel Africa journey for the past nine years, I am looking forward to taking up the role of Chief Executive Officer… This is an exciting opportunity to position Airtel Africa for further success in a dynamic continent full of potential,” said Segun Ogunsanya.