Airtel Africa has posted another strong set of results, underscoring its role as one of Africa’s most influential players in digital infrastructure and financial inclusion.
For the nine months ended 31 December 2025, the pan-African telecoms group reported revenues of $4.67 billion, representing 24.6% growth in constant currency. The performance was driven by surging data usage, expanding smartphone adoption, and the rapid scaling of Airtel Money across its footprint.
The company’s total customer base rose 10% to 179.4 million, with data customers up 14.6% to 81.8 million. Smartphone penetration reached 48.1%, reflecting Africa’s accelerating shift toward mobile-first digital services.
Data and Smartphones Fuel Connectivity Growth
Airtel Africa said its increased network investment and capacity upgrades are translating directly into higher data consumption. Average monthly data usage per customer climbed to 8.6GB, up from 6.9GB in the prior period, while data ARPU grew 16.6%.
Data revenues, now the group’s largest contributor, surged 36.5%, highlighting how affordable smartphones and improved network quality are reshaping internet access across Africa.
The company expanded its infrastructure footprint with 2,500 new sites and 4,000km of fibre rollout, taking total fibre length beyond 81,500km. Population coverage reached 81.7%, supporting both urban demand and regional inclusion.
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Airtel Money Crosses 50 Million Milestone
Airtel Money emerged as a standout growth engine, surpassing 52 million subscribers and recording 17.3% year-on-year growth. Annualised total processed value exceeded $210 billion, up 36%, reflecting deeper merchant integration and rising digital payments adoption.
Mobile money revenues grew 29.4% in constant currency, with ARPU also increasing as customers used the service more frequently.
CEO Sunil Taldar confirmed the company remains on track to list Airtel Money in the first half of 2026, saying:
“Our push to enhance financial inclusion across the continent continues to gain momentum with our Mobile Money customer base expanding to 52 million, surpassing the 50 million milestone. Annualised total processed value of over $210bn in Q3’26 underscores the depth of our merchants, agents and partner ecosystem, and remains a key player in driving improved access to financial services across Africa.”
Profitability Strengthens as Investment Accelerates
EBITDA rose to $2.28 billion, up 35.9%, with margins expanding to 48.9%. Profit after tax more than doubled to $586 million, supported by strong operating performance and favourable FX movements.
Leverage improved to 1.9x, reflecting healthier cash generation even as capital expenditure increased to $603 million to support network expansion.
Taldar emphasized Airtel Africa’s focus on technology innovation and AI integration:
“Digitisation, technology innovation, and embedding AI in our processes will optimise the customer experience with increased digital offerings and closer integration of GSM and Airtel Money services, allowing us to unlock the strong demand across our markets.”
Africa’s Digital Momentum
The results highlight broader trends across Africa: rising smartphone adoption, growing demand for reliable broadband, and mobile money platforms becoming central to everyday economic activity.
With continued investment in 4G, 5G, fibre, and digital ecosystems, Airtel Africa is positioning itself at the centre of the continent’s next phase of connectivity and financial inclusion growth.
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