BUSINESS

Airtel Kenya Picks New Board Chairman and Managing Director

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Airtel Kenya New MD
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Airtel Networks Kenya Limited has made significant change to its C-Suite and corner offices by picking a new Managing Director, Ashish Malhotra, who joined on July 1, 2022 to replace long-serving MD Prasanta Das Sarma as the mobile phone company sets sights on new growth horizons growth.

Airtel Kenya is expected to ride on Malhotra’s vast 21 years’ experience in the telecoms sector. He was previously the Group Head of Sales and Marketing at Airtel Africa, leading the function in 14 Airtel operations in Africa.

In a statement, the firm’s board said that Malhotra was instrumental in doubling revenues, streamlining pricing principles and building strong unique selling propositions across the countries where Airtel has a presence in Africa.

He holds an MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS) in India and a Bachelor of Commerce from Sri Ram College of Commerce in India.

Malhotra replaces Das Sarma, who has led the Kenyan operation since January 2017 and who left his role on June 30, 2022 to become the CEO of Airtel Africa’s Fiber Company

Airtel said he key to the mobile operator’s the mobile firm’s fast growth in Kenya and helped increase the subscriber base from 5 million to 16 million during his tenure.

The mobile operator operates in 14 countries in Africa, primarily in East Africa and Central and West Africa.

In Kenya, it is the second-biggest operator with about 25% market share, behind dominant Safaricom which has about 67% market share according to a market research firm Omdia.

Airtel Kenya New Board Chairman

The Airtel Kenya Board has also appointed Louis Onyango Otieno to head its boardroom.

Otieno packs brings over 30 years of leadership experience in ICT across private and public sectors, with a proven track record as a board member in companies across industries.

The new Airtel Kenya board Chairman Louis Onyango Otieno began his career at EEC Financial Services in New York, rising to the position of assistant VP. He joined Microsoft in 1997, leading the business in Africa in different capacities for 21 years.

Otieno holds an MBA from Long Island University, Brooklyn in New York and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry in New York.

About Airtel Kenya 

Airtel Kenya is considered a fast growing mobile services provider in Kenya. It is one of the 14 operations that Airtel Africa runs in Africa since November 2010 following the acquisition of Zain by Bharti Airtel, earlier in June the same year. Airtel is dedicated to delivering unparalleled connectivity and empowering experiences to its valued customers across the nation.

The telco has established itself as a leading telecommunications brand, offering a wide range of services including mobile voice, data, SMS, enterprise solutions and mobile money services.

Its robust network infrastructure ensures seamless connectivity, allowing customers to stay connected with their loved ones, access information, and explore endless possibilities, giving them a reason to imagine.

ALSO READAirtel Kenya Expands Retail Network in Nairobi’s Satellite Towns

 

Written by
JACKSON OKOTH

Jackson Okoth writes for Business Today. He specializes in capital and money markets, energy sector, manufacturing, real estate, co-operatives sector, technology and agriculture. He can be reached on email at editor [at] businesstoday.co.ke

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