Olusegun Ogunsanya, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, has announced his retirement, effective July 1, 2024.
Ogunsanya, who joined Airtel in 2012, led the telecoms and mobile money company’s Nigeria operations for nine years before being appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Group in 2021.
With strong distribution experience and local knowledge of the African landscape, he guided the company in maintaining double-digit sales growth over many quarters and bringing new, creative goods to clients across the continent.
Airtel said in a statement yesterday that Ogunsanya will become the inaugural Chair of the Airtel Africa Charitable Foundation, building on the work he did as CEO, including the launch of the company’s first Sustainability Strategy, and given his deep expertise across Africa.
The Charitable Foundation, according to the corporation, will increase the company’s commitment to its environmental programs and charitable operations across its African locations.
The Charitable Foundation’s goals will be to promote digital inclusion, financial inclusivity, educational access, and environmental conservation. The Charitable Foundation will operate as a separate legal organization, apart from the Airtel Africa Group.
Following his retirement from Airtel Africa plc, Ogunsanya will be available for 12 months to advise the Chairman, the Airtel Africa Board of Directors, and the Chief Executive Officer.
Sunil Taldar has been appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer to succeed Ogunsanya when he retires.
Taldar, who joined Airtel Africa as Director of Transformation in October 2023, will begin transitioning to CEO with Ogunsanya.
Following a transition period, Taldar will be appointed to the Board as an Executive Director and take over as CEO on July 1, 2024. At that point, Ogunsanya will resign from the Board and leave the Company.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Ogunsanya 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,” stated Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Airtel Africa plc.
“I am delighted that Ogansanya has agreed to take on the new role of Chair of the Airtel Africa Charitable Foundation following his retirement, where he will bring his visionary leadership to this new philanthropic initiative to advance development and prosperity across Africa.” Segun will leave the Board with our best wishes and heartfelt gratitude for what he has accomplished.”
“The Board of Directors is delighted to name Sunil Taldar as the Group’s next Chief Executive Officer.” His industry knowledge, strategic vision, continual customer focus, and track record of delivery will enable him to execute on our strategic goals and lead the Group in the next stages of its development.”
“In terms of the transition period, Segun has continued to lead the business very effectively, as evidenced by our financial results.” We are optimistic that we will have an orderly leadership transfer and handover of duties because Sunil Taldar has already joined the Group.”
