Airtel Africa PLC has announced a solid start to its 2026 financial year. Recording a 22.4% increase in group revenue to $1.415 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. The telco also reported constant currency revenue growth of 24.9%. Therefore, highlighting its resilience and the growing demand for digital and mobile money services across its African markets.
The growth is attributed to strong execution of Airtel’s customer-focused strategy, expansion in mobile services, and consistent financial discipline. East Africa contributed significantly, with revenues growing 17.6% in reported currency and 16.9% in constant currency, driven by growth in voice and data revenues, an expanding customer base, and network upgrades.
Strong Operational Momentum
Airtel’s total customer base expanded by 9.0% to 169.4 million, including a 17.4% rise in data customers to 75.6 million. The increase was supported by improved smartphone penetration, now at 45.9%, and ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide through network expansion and simplified customer experiences.
Voice revenues grew 13.9%. Data revenues surged 38.1%, as average data usage increased by 47.4% across the network. Airtel also invested heavily in infrastructure, rolling out over 2,300 new sites, raising the total to 37,579, and expanding its fibre network by 2,700 km to 79,600 km. This helped improve 4G population coverage to 74.7%.
Mobile Money Continues to Excel
Mobile money remains a key pillar of Airtel’s growth, with the Airtel Money customer base increasing by 16.1% to 45.8 million. Annualised transaction value grew by 35% to $162 billion, supported by rising customer engagement and expanding financial services. Mobile money ARPU also saw an 11.3% growth in constant currency.
CEO Sunil Taldar expressed confidence in the group’s trajectory:
“The strength of our Q1 performance reflects continued demand for our services and the effectiveness of our business model. We are seeing strong momentum in customer growth, digital adoption, and mobile money expansion, which reinforces our strategy focused on simplifying the customer experience and enhancing digital inclusion.”
He also highlighted the launch of Airtel Spam Alert, an AI-powered feature aimed at improving network safety and customer trust.
Financial Highlights
EBITDA grew by 29.8% in reported currency to $679 million, with margins expanding to 48.0%, up from 45.3% in Q1 FY25.
Profit after tax rose sharply to $156 million, up from $31 million in the prior period, aided by currency gains, particularly from the appreciation of the Central African franc.
Basic EPS increased to 3.4 cents, compared to 0.2 cents in the previous period, driven by higher operating profits.
Capex for the quarter stood at $121 million, with full-year guidance maintained at $725–$750 million.
Strategic Capital Management
Airtel has made significant progress in localising its debt, with 95% of operating company debt (excluding leases) now in local currency, up from 86% a year ago. Leverage increased to 2.2x, mainly due to $1.3 billion in lease liabilities from tower contract renewals, though lease-adjusted leverage remained steady at 0.9x.
The company also continued returning value to shareholders, repurchasing 7.1 million shares worth $16.9 million as part of a $55 million share buyback programme.
Outlook
With consistent demand, continued cost efficiencies, and a stable macroeconomic environment. Airtel Africa is optimistic about maintaining its growth trajectory. The company reiterated its commitment to network investment, digital inclusion, and providing differentiated services that support livelihoods and economic development across its operating regions.
