MUMBAI: Telecom major Bharti Airtel has appointed Charity Chanda Lumpa as managing director for its operation in Zambia with effect from 1 May.

Speaking on the appointment, Airtel Zambia chairman George Sokota said in a statement, “She has an exceptional track record of accomplishments at top management level in private, public and international organisations and I am confident that with her rich experience she will grow the organisation from strength to strength."

Prior to this appointment, Lumpa was the managing director of Ecobank in Zambia. Before joining the banking industry, she was the managing director and chief executive officer of the Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB).

"Our recent appointment of a Nigerian CEO and MD for Nigeria and the appointment of a first lady Zambian MD for our Zambia business are key milestones alongside our people agenda for Africa," Airtel Africa chief human resources officer David Ssegawa said.

Lumpa, a Zambian national, holds an MBA in Finance. She is back in her home country after a six-month stint in Lome, Togo, where she was the Head of Ecobank Group Credit Administration.

To promote empowerment of women and girls, Airtel Africa recently signed a two-year partnership with UN WOMEN. The tie-up aims for building the skills, capabilities and resources of women entrepreneurs. Airtel will establish a Farmer’s Information System which will provide real time information to women farmers through its network in Africa.  Appointment of first female MD in Airtel Africa could be seen as timely with the MOU.