Dinesh Balsingh has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, effective November 1, 2024.
He succeeds Carl Cruz, who resigned after a brief tenure. Balsingh brings over 24 years of experience in telecommunications, having previously served as Chief Commercial Officer at Airtel Nigeria and CEO of Airtel Tanzania.
Balsingh’s leadership in Tanzania was marked by significant growth through innovative strategies.
Education
Balsingh holds a Master of Business Administration from Thiagarajar School of Management.
His educational background complements over 24 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, including leadership roles at Airtel and Tata Docomo.
Early career
Balsingh began his career in the telecommunications industry in 2000 with Hutchison Essar, where he gained foundational experience in marketing and customer engagement.
This early role allowed him to develop a strong understanding of the telecom landscape, which would serve him well in his future positions.
In 2006, Balsingh joined Airtel India as the Marketing Director.
During his tenure, he played a crucial role in enhancing Airtel’s brand presence and market share in a highly competitive environment.
His initiatives were instrumental in driving growth for the company during this pivotal period in the Indian telecom market.
After leaving Airtel, he moved to Tata Docomo in 2011, where he continued to refine his marketing strategies and customer acquisition skills.
His work at Tata Docomo helped position the company as a disruptive player in the market, particularly through innovative offerings like pay-per-second billing.
Later career
Balsingh returned to Airtel in 2013, this time taking on the role of Marketing Director for Nigeria.
In this capacity, he revitalized Airtel’s marketing approach, focusing on localized strategies that resonated with Nigerian consumers.
In 2018, Balsingh advanced to the position of Chief Commercial Officer at Airtel Nigeria.
He oversaw all commercial activities, including sales, marketing, and customer service.
In 2022, Balsingh took on the role of Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Tanzania.
Under his leadership, Airtel Tanzania experienced remarkable growth as he introduced innovative products and services tailored to local needs.
He expanded network coverage and improved customer experiences, solidifying Airtel’s position as a market leader in Tanzania.
In his new roles as the Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Balsingh aims to drive further growth by leveraging his extensive experience in the telecommunications sector.
Notable achievements
Balsingh’s notable accomplishments include his tenure as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Airtel Nigeria, where he implemented data-driven strategies that resulted in substantial revenue growth.
He later served as Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Tanzania from 2022, achieving record growth through innovative pricing and disciplined project execution, leading to increased Revenue Market Share (RMS) in a competitive market.
