Airtel Africa Board Leadership Transition: Gopal Vittal to Chair, Sunil Bharti Mittal Steps Down

Gopal Vittal will become Airtel Africa's Non-Executive Board Chair in July 2026, succeeding Sunil Bharti Mittal, who confirmed his retirement. Shravin Bharti Mittal will take on the role of Deputy Chair, ensuring continuity in this significant leadership transition.

Vittal, that is also the executive vice chairman of Bharti Airtel, is a well established telecommunications leader who led Bharti Airtel to a life-time high income market share in an extremely open market and is the current Board Chair of the GSMA. He was selected a non-executive supervisor of Airtel Africa in October 2024.

Vittal’s consultation is by nomination of the controlling investor pursuant to the terms of the relationship arrangement dated June 17, 2019 in between the Company, Bharti Airtel, Airtel Africa Mauritius Limited, the majority shareholder and an indirect subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, and Bharti Telecommunications.

Key Leadership Changes Announced

Sunil Bharti Mittal will tip down as Airtel Africa Board Chair in July 2026. Gopal Vittal will take over as Non-Executive Chair. Shravin Bharti Mittal will become Deputy Chair.

“Airtel Africa has a solid strategy and an impressive management group in position, the strength of which is evident in current outcomes, so I am confident that currently is the moment for me to tip aside as Chair,” Mittal, that is the founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, said.

He stated Airtel Africa will certainly remain to flourish and to advance the transformative power of connection to the millions of customers that are being offered across 14 African countries. “I have actually offered my solutions and will be offered to sustain the firm as asked for by the Chair,” he stated.

Succession Planning and Board Evolution

As component of the continuous succession preparation in regard of the business’s Non-Executive Directors, Annika Poutiainen will certainly additionally retire at the conclusion of the July AGM, at which point she will have offered for over 7 years.

Shravin Bharti Mittal will represent Deputy Chair with effect from the same date. As Deputy Chair, Mittal will certainly ensure connection with the founding family members and considerable shareholder, and will certainly be the Board’s conduit with the Airtel Cash Board, on which he offers, and with Airtel Africa’s head office in Dubai, where he is based.

Confirmation of Board Appointments

According to a declaration by Airtel Africa, Mittal, that has worked as Chair given that the company’s listing in 2019, has actually informed the Board of his purpose to retire at the verdict of this year’s AGM in July 2026. The Board has also announced that Vittal will certainly be designated Non‑Executive Chair of the Board with effect from the very same day.

Sunil Bharti Mittal will step down as Airtel Africa Board Chair in July 2026. Gopal Vittal will certainly take over as Non-Executive Chair. Shravin Bharti Mittal will end up being Replacement Chair.