Segun Ogunsanya named MD, CEO of Airtel Africa

Airtel Africa on Thursday named Olusegun (Segun) Ogunsanya, MD and CEO of Airtel Nigeria as the successor of Raghunath Mandava, as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for Airtel Africa. This move comes after Mandava announced his retirement.

New Appointment for Airtel Africa

As per the statement issued by the telco, Segun Ogunsanya will join the Board of Africa business from October 1, 2021. Along with this, the telco also appointed CFO Jaideep Paul as an Executive Director. He will join the Board of Directors with effect from June 1, 2021.

Segun Ogunsanya joined Airtel Africa in 2012 as Managing Director and CEO Nigeria. During his stint, he was responsible for the business management in Nigeria, which is the largest market for the telco in Africa.

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

Bharti Airtel released a statement following the appointment.

“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.

Statements from Key Individuals

On the occasion, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Airtel said that the telco “are delighted to appoint Segun Ogunsanya as the Group's next Chief Executive Officer".

Commenting further on the matter, he said "he has displayed significant drive and energy in turning around the Nigeria business by focusing on network modernisation, distribution, and operational efficiency”.

"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.

After announcing his retirement, Raghu Mandava said, “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".

Talking about the last five years, he added, "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”.

Upon his appointment, Segun Ogunsanya said, “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”.