Indian billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal to step down in Airtel Africa leadership transition 

Airtel Africa Plc, the pan-African telecommunications provider, said its long-serving chair, Sunil Bharti Mittal, will retire at the end of its annual general meeting in July 2026, marking a leadership shift at one of Africa’s largest telecom operators. 

Mittal, who has chaired the company since its 2019 listing, told the board he would step aside after helping guide the business through its early years as a publicly traded company. The board thanked him for his role in shaping the group’s direction and growth across the continent.

New chair, continuity at the top 

The company said Gopal Vittal will take over as non-executive chair from the same date. Vittal, currently executive vice chairman of Bharti Airtel and chair of the GSMA, joined Airtel Africa’s board as a non-executive director in October 2024. 

His appointment follows a nomination by the controlling shareholder under an agreement signed in June 2019 involving Bharti Airtel, Airtel Africa Mauritius Ltd. and Bharti Telecom. The board noted Vittal will not be considered independent under U.K. corporate governance rules. 

Shravin Bharti Mittal will become deputy chair, a move the company said will help maintain ties with its founding shareholder. He will also act as a link between the board, the Airtel Money unit and the company’s headquarters in Dubai. 

Separately, non-executive director Annika Poutiainen will step down after more than seven years on the board.

Board values Mittal’s ongoing expertise

Mittal said the company is entering a new phase with a strong management team already in place. 

“It has been an honour to serve as chair,” he said. “The business has a clear strategy and experienced leadership, and I believe this is the right time to hand over.” 

Senior independent director Tsega Gebreyes said Mittal played a central role in the company’s development, from its acquisition phase in 2010 to its listing and inclusion in the FTSE 100. 

She added that the board expects to continue drawing on his experience when needed.

Bharti Airtel founder impacts Africa

Airtel Africa operates in 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, offering mobile voice, data and mobile money services to about 179.4 million customers. The company has focused on expanding digital services and financial inclusion through its Airtel Money platform. 

Mittal, founder of Bharti Enterprises, is worth $24.7 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He is widely credited with helping expand affordable mobile services in India through Bharti Airtel, a model that has influenced operations in Africa. 

Airtel Africa earnings surge under Mittal

Under Sunil Bharti Mittal, Airtel Africa has delivered a sharp uptick in earnings, underscoring the group’s scale and rising demand for digital services across its footprint. 

For the nine months to December 2025, revenue rose 28.3% to $4.67 billion, while profit after tax climbed to $586 million, more than double the previous year. Growth was driven by higher data usage and increased demand for mobile money services. 

Active customers rose 10% during the period, while mobile money users grew 17.3%. Earnings margins also improved, reflecting stronger operating performance. 

As the leadership transition unfolds, Airtel Africa is expected to focus on expanding its customer base and deepening its presence in fast-growing markets, while building on the foundation laid during Mittal’s tenure.