Sunil Bharti Mittal to retire as Airtel Africa chair; Gopal Vittal to take over

Airtel Africa Plc has announced a leadership transition at the board level, with Sunil Bharti Mittal set to retire as chairman at the conclusion of the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) in July 2026. The board has named Gopal Vittal as the next non-executive chair, effective from the same date.Mittal, who has chaired Airtel Africa since its listing in 2019, informed the board of his decision to step down, marking the end of a tenure that spanned the company’s public market journey and expansion across 14 African countries. The board acknowledged his role in steering the business from its acquisition phase in 2010 to its current position in the FTSE 100.

The transition forms part of a broader succession plan. Shravin Bharti Mittal will take over as deputy chair from July 2026, acting as a link between the board, the founding family and key shareholders, while also interfacing with the Airtel Money board and the company’s Dubai headquarters.
In a parallel move, non-executive director Annika Poutiainen will retire at the AGM after more than seven years on the board. Mittal credited her role in strengthening governance and shaping the company’s sustainability strategy.
“It has been an honour to lead Airtel Africa in this capacity,” Mittal said, adding that the company’s strong strategy and leadership team make this an appropriate time for transition. He expressed confidence in continued growth and said he would remain available to support the business if required.Senior independent director Tsega Gebreyes described Mittal as “a titan of the global telecommunications industry,” highlighting his role in guiding the company through key milestones, including its listing and subsequent growth.

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Vittal’s appointment has been made through nomination by the controlling shareholder under a 2019 relationship agreement involving Bharti Airtel, Airtel Africa Mauritius and Bharti Telecom.

Currently executive vice chairman of Bharti Airtel and chair of the GSMA board, Vittal joined Airtel Africa as a non-executive director in October 2024. The company noted he will not be considered independent under the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Shares of Bharti Airtel Ltd were trading at ₹1,841.10, up ₹39.00 or 2.16%, on the NSE as of 2:12 PM.