Anne Otieno, Airtel Money Kenya’s chief executive, has left her role as the parent company Airtel Africa readies a landmark initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange in late 2026.The IPO is expected to value the fintech business at around $10 billion and raise about $1.5 billion.This exit comes amid preparations for the IPO, which had faced delays due to global market volatility.

While Airtel Africa hasn’t directly linked the CEO’s departure to the IPO, leadership changes close to a public listing often draw investor attention, especially in fast-growing financial services sectors where stability is key.Kenya remains a critical market for Airtel Money despite Safaricom’s M-Pesa dominance.

The country serves as a testing ground for new digital payment products and merchant services, making continuity in leadership vital for convincing international investors of the fintech arm’s long-term growth potential.Airtel Money has become one of Airtel Africa’s fastest-growing businesses, serving over 54 million customers and generating $1.35 billion in revenue in 2026.The IPO is expected to intensify competition with rivals like M-Pesa and MTN’s fintech arm, pushing them to unlock more shareholder value.A successful listing would also provide capital for expanding services like lending, cross-border remittances, and digital banking across Africa.