Kenya: Airtel Kenya appoints Ashish Malhotra as its new Managing Director

Airtel Networks Kenya Limited Board of Directors has appointed Ashish Malhotra as Managing Director to oversee the company’s next phase of growth.

Previously, he was Group Head of Sales and Marketing at Airtel Africa, leading the function across 14 countries where Airtel operates.

In this role, he was instrumental in doubling revenue, streamlining pricing principles and building strong differentiators across countries.

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

He succeeds Mr. Prasanta Das Sarma who has held the position since January 2017 and has been instrumental in making Airtel Kenya the fastest growing telecom company in Kenya and growing the subscriber base from 5 million to 16 million. Mr. Das Sarma takes on a new role as CEO of the Fiber Company for Airtel Africa.

The company has also appointed Louis Onyango Otieno as chairman.

The new Chair brings over 30 years of extensive ICT leadership experience in both the private and public sectors and a proven track record as a board member in companies across a range of industries.

He began his career at EEC Financial Services in New York, where he rose to become Assistant Vice President. He later joined Microsoft Corporation in 1997 and led the business in Africa in various 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, he serves as Chairman of Absa Asset Management Limited and is also an independent non-executive director of Absa Bank Kenya Plc and Nation Media Group Plc

“We would like to congratulate Mr. Otieno and Mr. Malhotra on their appointment and wish them every success in their new roles. We look forward to working with them to take Airtel Kenya to the next level as we continue to deliver innovative and relevant solutions to individuals and businesses in the country,” the board said in a statement.