As part of its growth strategy, Africa’s largest telecoms service provider in terms of geographical reach, Bharti Airtel, has announced a rejig in its African operational structure which will see its countries of operation clustered into four Strategic Business Units (SBUs), with their leaders reporting to the MD & CEO – Africa, Christian de Faria from 1st April 2014.

While Mr. VG Somasekhar, the former Managing Director for Airtel Uganda was promoted to be the Executive Operations Director of the SBU clustering Zambia, Congo B, Malawi, Burkina, Niger, Chad, Madagascar and Seychelles; Mr. Christophe Soulet will head the second SBU which includes country like Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Gabon, Uganda, Sierra Leone and Rwanda.

Both Somasekhar and Soulet are veterans in the telecommunication industry. Somasekhar helped to make Airtel’s Uganda one of the telecoms most profitable business while Soulet has helped coached and built winning leadership teams across Africa.

Meanwhile, the current MD/CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya and Louis Lubala, its DRC unit MD, will continue to lead Nigeria and DRC — Airtel’s other two business units.

“These two business leaders have distinguished themselves with their exceptional understanding of the African telecoms landscape. We will leverage their experience, leadership and understanding of the African market to accelerate our market leadership opportunities and develop team capabilities as we seek to take our brand to the next level,”  Airtel Africa CEO, Christian de Faria said while speaking on the new structure.

With Mr.Somasekhar elevated to the post of SBU head, Mr.Arindam Chakrabarty who is currently Chief Commercial Officer for Airtel Uganda will be acting as the Managing Director until a new Managing Director is appointed.

With operations across 17 African countries, Airtel is ranked the 4th largest mobile services provider in terms of customer base globally.

At the end of quarter ended December 31, 2013, the Indian-based teleco had over 68.3 million customers from over 63.7 million customers which it recorded at the end of quarter ended March 31, 2013.