On 9 May 2024, Airtel Africa plc announced the appointment of Paul Arkwright, CMG, as an independent non-executive director of the Company, with immediate effect. Paul is a former British Ambassador with 34 years' experience in the UK Diplomatic Service. His career included postings as the UK Ambassador to the Netherlands (2009-13), UK High Commissioner to Nigeria (2015-18), CEO of the UK-Africa Investment Summit (2019), Acting UK Ambassador to DRC (2020), and Regional Ambassador for Africa, COP26 Summit.

He is askilled negotiator at the highest levels with excellent international networking and communication skills and is a fluent French speaker. Following his retirement from the UK Diplomatic Service in 2020, Paul founded an independent consultancy advising international business on investing and operating across Africa. Between January 2021 to date, Paul acted as a Special Advisor to the Chair and Board of Airtel Africa focusing on political, legal and regulatory issues pursuant to the terms of a consultancy agreement.

Paul is on the Advisory Panel of Africa Matters Limited, a part of JS Held, and is a member of the Central Council of the Royal Over-Seas League. In 2016, he was awarded a CMG by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services to international diplomacy.