Manoj Kohli, MD & CEO (International), in-charge of Airtel's operations in Africa, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, will relocate to India effective Jan 1, 2014, after a difficult time in Africa, where the company did not meet the ambitious goals that Kohli had set for the end of FY13, because he had underestimated the complexity of operating in Africa, and the state of Zain's network and processes in the continent. Taking over AFrica responsibility as CEO will be Christian de Faria, will join Airtel Africa starting September 16, 2013, operating out of Airtel's Africa headquarters in Nairobi. de Faria joins from MTN, where he was Group Commercial Officer till January 2013, prior to which he was Executive Vice Presdent, responsible for operations for West and Central Africa region. He was with MTN for seven years. de Faria will join the Board of Bharti Airtel International Netherlands B.V. and the Boards of major Airtel operational companies in Africa. Kohli will continue on the boards of Bharti Airtel International Netherlands B.V. and Airtel Networks Ltd, Nigeria. De Faria will report to Kohli, who will continue to lead Airtel's international operations and provide governance oversight to Airtel Africa, Airtel Bangladesh and Airtel Sri Lanka. He will also lead strategic issues such as in-market consolidation via M&A, key matters relating to Towerco, global partnerships, global sourcing from key Partners and strategic Regulatory aspects, apart from being responsible for Business Development / M&A function for the telecom business and be involved with the group strategic matters,…
