Leardeship changes in Africa seem to be Bharti Airtel’s missile to take over markets it once held dear again. The firm has today appointed Mr. Ben Cheick Haidara, as Managing Director for Airtel in Burkina Faso with effect from August 1, 2014.
With a Master’s degree in Management science from the Institut de MSG and a post graduate degree in Accounting & Finance from the Institut de DESS – University of Ouagadougou, an executive MBA – Management Operations from HEC Paris, France, Mr. Haidara is expected to drive Airtel’s operations in Burkina Faso and support the government’s telecommunications agenda in the country.
Replacing Hachimou Hassane who has been acting as Airtel M.D Burkina Faso, Haidara’s to do list include pushing the adoption of Airtel money, growing data uptake in the country building on the firm’s 3G and mobile commerce telco footprint across Africa.
Airtel fished Haidara from Etisalat Benin where he was the M.D since September 2011. Before that, Haidara was the Finance Director at Atlantic Telecom Gabon from July 2006 to February 2007, took up the Managing Director role at Telecel Burkina Faso in February 2007, was Managing Director Prestige Telecom in Ivory Coast between March and September 2008, and later became the Managing Director at Atlantique Telecom in Niger from October 2008 to August 2011.
Airtel Africa CEO Mr. Christian de Faria said: “Ben is a respected telecoms professional with proven leadership capabilities in Africa. I would like to warmly welcome him on behalf of the entire Airtel family. ”