Bharti Airtel appoints new CEO to shore up Africa operations

Manoj Kohli, MD & CEO (global), in-charge of firm's operations in Africa, would relocate to India

Bharti Airtel, which operates across 20 countries in Asia and Africa, on Wednesday said it had appointed Christian de Faria as  chief executive officer (CEO) for the company’s Africa operations, with effect from January 1, 2014.

Manoj Kohli, managing director & CEO (International), in charge of the company’s operations in Africa, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and currently stationed at Airtel Africa’s headquarters in Nairobi, would relocate to India, with effect from January 1, Bharti Airtel said in a statement, on Wednesday.

Faria, who would join Airtel Africa on September 16 this year, would initially take charge of Airtel’s Anglophone (English speaking countries) operations and would commence a comprehensive orientation encompassing Airtel Africa HQ functions, Francophone and Nigeria regions. Faria would be based in Nairobi and would report to Kohli. Besides continuing to oversee Bharti Airtel’s businesses in Africa, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Kohli would lead strategic issues such as in-market consolidation via merger and acquisitions, business development, key matters relating to tower company, global partnerships, global sourcing from key partners and strategic regulatory aspects.  Kohli would continue his position on the boards of Bharti Airtel International Netherlands and Airtel Networks Ltd, Nigeria.

“We have built a strong foundation for the next phase of growth of our Africa operations and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Manoj has successfully embedded our business model and the Airtel brand in Africa, and would now provide governance oversight to the international operations and be involved with the group strategic matters,” Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman, Bharti Airtel, said, in a statement.

The gross debt of Bharti Airtel, which took over Zain’s African operations, is expected to shoot up by a massive Rs 5,900 crore due to rupee’s fall. The new CEO is likely to enter in such tumultuous times.

He would also be co-opted on the Board of Bharti Airtel International Netherlands and on the boards of major operating companies in Africa.