Indian billionaire Sunil Mittal, Airtel Africa's controlling shareholder, wins France's top honour

Indian billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, the group that controls Airtel Africa, has been named a Knight of France’s highest civilian honour by President Emmanuel Macron.

Mittal has been named a Chevalier of the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur, the National Order of the Legion of Honour, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. The announcement was made in a statement issued on October 12, according to reports by The Financial Express and Moneycontrol. The insignia will be presented at a ceremony at the French Embassy in New Delhi on October 28.

The award recognises Mittal’s role in strengthening economic ties between India and France, alongside his achievements in telecommunications and digital infrastructure.

Thierry Mathou, France’s ambassador to India, said Mittal had been a friend of France for more than three decades, dating back to Airtel’s early days in 1992.

“He has unflaggingly nurtured these ties over the decades, and shown what French and Indian business endeavours can achieve together,” Mathou said.

He added that the honour recognises a business leader who has helped make France a lasting partner in India.

Three decades of French ties

Mittal’s relationship with France dates back to the launch of Airtel. In 1992, French utility Compagnie Générale des Eaux partnered with Bharti to introduce mobile telephony in India, with the relationship extending through other French companies and business partnerships over the years.

The relationship subsequently expanded to include partnerships involving insurer AXA and telecommunications equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent.

“I am moved and humbled by this gracious award from the Republic of France,” Mittal said in his response.

He traced his association with France to Airtel’s inception in 1992, when Compagnie Générale des Eaux joined Bharti to introduce mobile telephony in India. He said the relationship continued through his role as co-chairman of Eutelsat, the European satellite operator.

Mittal accepted the honour with gratitude to the French president and pledged to deepen economic ties between the two countries.

Eutelsat’s connection to Bharti grew through the combination of the French satellite operator with OneWeb, the low-Earth-orbit satellite company backed by Bharti Global. The combined business expanded its role in satellite connectivity, an area of growing importance to telecommunications operators seeking to extend coverage beyond traditional mobile networks.

The French distinction adds to Mittal’s list of national and international honours. He received the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in 2007. In 2024, he was made an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by King Charles III, becoming the first Indian citizen to receive that distinction.

Tighter grip on Airtel Africa

The honour comes in a year in which Mittal’s group has strengthened its control of Airtel Africa, the telecommunications operator with operations across the continent.

Bharti Airtel, the Indian telecommunications company founded by Mittal, increased its effective shareholding in London-listed Airtel Africa to 79.22% from approximately 62.32% following a transaction completed in June 2026.

Under the deal, Bharti Airtel acquired 595.2 million Airtel Africa shares from Indian Continent Investment Ltd., a Mauritius-registered entity within the Bharti group. The shares represented approximately 16.35% of Airtel Africa’s issued share capital.

In exchange, Indian Continent Investment received 146.76 million newly issued Bharti Airtel shares. The transaction was completed on June 22, with no cash consideration involved. The resulting 79.22% figure represents Bharti Airtel’s effective holding in Airtel Africa, rather than Mittal’s personal shareholding.

Airtel Africa provides mobile voice, data and mobile money services across 14 African countries. The company reported 189 million customers for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, while revenue increased by 31%.

The African business remains a major part of Bharti Airtel’s international operations as demand for mobile connectivity and digital financial services expands across its markets.

Beyond telecommunications, Bharti Global acquired a 24.5% stake in Britain’s BT Group in 2024. Mittal joined BT’s board in September 2025, extending the group’s presence in the European telecommunications market.

Mittal and his family were valued at $32.9 billion in Forbes’ 2026 India rich list published in September, placing them fifth among the country’s wealthiest individuals and families.