Vittal to Serve as GSMA Chair Until End of 2028

The GSMA has reappointed Bharti Airtel executive vice chairman Gopal Vittal as chair for the 2027-2028 board term. Vodafone Group CEO Margherita Della Valle was named as co-deputy chair alongside MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita.

Vittal’s tenure has been extended to December 2028, having served as chair since 2025 and been part of the GSMA board for 10 years. He is also non-executive chair of Airtel Africa and Airtel Payments Bank, as well as a non-executive director on the BT Group Board. Vittal said the industry was entering a new era in which advanced networks, AI and open digital platforms can create significant economic and societal value.

“Our top priority is security,” he added, highlighting the need to secure nations against growing threats. Mupita was re-elected as co-deputy chair, a position he has held since April last year, while Della Valle joins him in the role for the first time. Mupita has led MTN Group as president and CEO since September 2020, having previously served as its CFO. Della Valle became Vodafone CEO in January 2023 after previously serving as its CFO.

Vittal added that the two deputy chairs’ experience, geographical scope and insight will be a great strength as the association and the whole industry take this agenda forward. The appointments follow a reshuffle last month, which saw six new companies, including NTT Docomo, Axiata Group, and Telstra, join the GSMA’s 26-member board.