Ashish Malhotra is a prominent telecommunications executive and business leader, best known for his role as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Airtel Kenya. With over two decades of experience in the telecommunications industry, he has played a strategic role in the expansion and operational evolution of Airtel’s footprint across the African continent. Born in India, Malhotra pursued his higher education at esteemed institutions in the country. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Sri Ram College of Commerce and an MBA from the Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS). These academic foundations provided the analytical and managerial training that would later underpin his leadership roles within large-scale multinational corporations. Malhotra’s career trajectory is deeply intertwined with the growth of Airtel Africa. Before his appointment to the Kenyan market, he served as the Group Head of Sales and Marketing for Airtel Africa, where he oversaw commercial operations across 14 countries. During his tenure in this regional capacity, he was credited with driving significant commercial improvements, including the doubling of revenues, the optimization of pricing structures, and the establishment of robust, differentiated market strategies across various operational jurisdictions. This experience managing diverse, multi-country telecom operations prepared him for the complex regulatory and competitive environment of the Kenyan telecommunications sector. In July 2022, the Board of Airtel Networks Kenya Limited appointed Malhotra as Managing Director and CEO, succeeding Prasanta Das Sarma. His leadership in Kenya has been characterized by an aggressive push toward infrastructure development and digital inclusion. Under his stewardship, Airtel Kenya has focused on expanding its network presence, including significant investments in mobile tower infrastructure and the growth of its mobile money agent network. A notable milestone during his leadership includes the development of "Nxtra by Airtel," a large-scale data center project at Tatu City, which aims to enhance digital resilience and support enterprise clients in East Africa. Beyond infrastructure, Malhotra has championed initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide. His efforts were recognized when he received the TUKO.co.ke Business Leader Award in 2025 for his vision regarding digital inclusion and youth empowerment. Under his guidance, the company has undertaken programs to provide digital learning tools to thousands of students, aligning corporate social responsibility with the broader goal of digital transformation in Kenya. As CEO, he continues to navigate the challenges of intense market competition and evolving regulatory requirements, maintaining a focus on operational excellence and customer-centric innovation.