Airtel Africa has hired former Vodacom chief Ian Ferrao as its East Africa head and mandated him to accelerate the company’s growth across voice, data and mobile money segments in East Africa. One of the major reasons for Airtel to hire Ian Ferrao to oversee its business in East Africa is because of his immense experience when it comes to the telecom industry and mobile money in the African region.
Ian Ferrao will take the role of Regional Director of Airtel’s East Africa business. He will oversee Airtel’s operations in East African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. He will also be a part of the Africa Executive Committee based in Nairobi.
Airtel Africa CEO Raghunath Mandava told the media that, “He brings a wealth of relevant telecommunications and mobile money experience within the region and will be an asset to the business. He will be part of the Africa executive committee based in Nairobi and will focus on driving growth across voice, data and mobile money in East Africa.”
Ian Ferrao has 12 years of experience in senior management in Africa’s telecommunication industry. Prior to joining Airtel, he held the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Vodacom Tanzania. He also held the role of CEO at Vodacom Lesotho and chief commercial officer at Vodacom Business Africa.
He also holds a BSc Management Sciences degree from the Warwick Business School, UK.
Last month, Airtel Africa announced that it has provided its services to more than 100 million customers in Africa. The telecom operator entered the African telecom market in 2010 through the acquisition of Kuwait-based Zain’s Africa operations for around $10.7 billion.
The company also posted revenue of $795.9 million in the second quarter of 2019. Currently, the company operates in 14 African countries which are Nigeria, Niger, Gabon, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Seychelles and Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, in East Africa.