South African telecoms group Vodacom has appointed Segun Ogunsanya, the former chief executive of Airtel Africa, as an independent non-executive director. The appointment takes effect on 9 October 2026.
Ogunsanya brings more than 35 years of leadership experience spanning telecommunications, banking, fast-moving consumer goods and corporate governance. He served as Group CEO and Managing Director of Airtel Africa until his retirement in June 2024, after previously leading the company’s Nigerian operations. He currently chairs the Airtel Africa Foundation and the board of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.
The move forms part of a broader board refresh at Vodacom. The company also named Khumo Shuenyane, its current lead independent director, as chairman-elect. Shuenyane will succeed Saki Macozoma, who is due to retire in July 2027 after a decade on the board. Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, South Africa CEO of Naspers, will step down from the Vodacom board on 8 October 2026.
Ogunsanya’s track record includes maintaining double-digit revenue growth at Airtel Africa and expanding digital and financial inclusion across multiple markets. His earlier career included senior roles at Ecobank Transnational, where he oversaw retail banking across 28 African countries, and leadership positions at Coca-Cola bottling operations in several markets.
Vodacom operates in South Africa and several other African countries, competing directly with Airtel in a number of markets. Bringing a former rival CEO onto the board adds operational insight into the region’s competitive dynamics, regulatory environments and growth opportunities in mobile money and digital services.
Board appointments of this nature rarely shift short-term strategy, but they do influence oversight, risk assessment and long-term positioning. Ogunsanya’s combination of operator experience and sovereign investment governance may prove useful as Vodacom navigates intensifying competition, spectrum policy and the continued expansion of financial services across its footprint.
