GSMA Board Elects Gopal Vittal as Chairman Until 2026

The Board of Directors of the GSM Association (GSMA) has elected Gopal Vittal, Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, as its new Chairman, with his tenure set to run until 2026.

Airtel Africa announced this in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

According to the statement, Vittal is currently serving as the acting Chairman of the GSMA Board. In his new role, he will provide strategic oversight and guidance to the association.

“Vittal becomes the second Indian, after Sunil Bharti Mittal, to be elected as Chairman of the GSMA Board.

“This appointment highlights the significant influence Airtel has in the global telecom industry, with both Sunil Bharti Mittal and Gopal Vittal having held key positions on the GSMA Board for years,” the organisation noted.

Expressing his thoughts on the appointment, Vittal said he was honoured to be elected Chairman of the GSMA Board.

Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman & MD, Bharti Airtel becomes the second Indian to chair the prestigious telecom industry body @GSMA after Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal.

Read more: https://t.co/E86LoFgrL7 pic.twitter.com/wWFqfoeRg0

— Bharti Airtel (@airtelnews) March 24, 2025

He stated that the association’s membership includes approximately 1,000 telecom companies worldwide, along with handset and device manufacturers, software developers, equipment providers, internet companies, and organisations from related industries.

“The mobile industry contributed $6.5 trillion to the global economy in 2024 and serves as the backbone for much of the world’s innovation.

“The GSMA, as a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem, plays a fundamental role in discovering, developing, and delivering innovation that drives positive change.

“I look forward to working closely with the GSMA team and the rest of the Board to continue this important work,” Vittal said.

Commenting on the appointment, Mats Granryd, Director-General of the GSMA, said he had worked with Vittal for many years and was pleased with his formal election as Chairman.

He highlighted Vittal’s extensive knowledge and experience, stating that he is well positioned to lead the board and the industry through current challenges and opportunities.

Granryd noted that the industry’s priorities include leveraging AI and completing 5G deployment to unlock new business models and revenue streams.

He added that Vittal had served on the GSMA Board in various capacities for over a decade, including as Deputy Chairman for the past three years.

“Most recently, he was appointed Acting Chair of the GSMA Board in early 2025 and has now been formally elected.

“Vittal will serve as Chairman of the Board until the end of 2026,” Granryd said.