Zain Zambia CEO David Venn has resigned barely two months after Celtel Zambia was taken over by Zain of Kuwait.

Venn was the head of Celtel Zambia for five years and did not give a reason for his resignation.

"Venn is leaving by the end of this month after deciding not to renew his contract," said Zain Zambia public relations manager Kennedy Mambwe during a telephone interview Thursday.

Zain took over Celtel Zambia in August, but poor network quality and dropped calls led the Communications Authority of Zambia to direct the company to improve its service.

Zambia's political opposition leader Michael Sata has been protesting the transfer of Celtel Zambia's funds to Zain by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. Calling the government's approval of the transaction dubious, Sata said he would press for an explanation as to why the government did not first assess Zain's performance.

Zain Zambia is the country's largest mobile service provider.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.