By Corporate Update
Airtel Africa Posts 31% Revenue Surge to $1.85 Billion as Data and Mobile Money Drive Record Growth
Airtel Africa Plc has announced a strong start to its financial year, posting a 31% increase in reported revenue to $1.853 billion for the quarter ended 30 June 2026, driven by robust growth in mobile services, data usage, and Airtel Money across its African markets.
Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar
The telecommunications giant recorded 21.1% constant currency revenue growth, with mobile services revenue rising 19.1% and Airtel Money expanding by 25.8%, highlighting the company’s continued success in accelerating digital transformation and financial inclusion.
In East Africa, revenue increased by 21.9% to $607 million in reported currency, supported by a 9.3% growth in customers and a 5.3% increase in average revenue per user (ARPU). Voice revenue in the region also grew by 8% in constant currency.
Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar attributed the strong performance to the company’s customer-first strategy, continued investment in network infrastructure, and increasing adoption of digital technologies.
The company reported that its customer base grew by 11.6% to 189 million, while data customers increased by 15.5% to 87.3 million. Smartphone penetration reached 51%, driving a 56.3% increase in data traffic as more customers embraced digital services.
Airtel Money also recorded exceptional growth, with annualised total processed value (TPV) exceeding $245 billion, up 51.5%, while its customer base expanded by 23.3% to 56.5 million. The company also confirmed London as its preferred venue for the planned Airtel Money listing in 2026, aimed at attracting global investors and unlocking long-term value for one of Africa’s fastest-growing fintech businesses.
Financially, Airtel Africa’s EBITDA rose 36.6% to $928 million, with EBITDA margins improving to 50.1%, reflecting continued cost optimisation despite rising global energy costs.
Profit after tax increased to $198 million from $156 million a year earlier, while basic earnings per share (EPS) improved from 3.4 cents to 4.4 cents.
The company also accelerated investment in its network, spending $389 million in capital expenditure during the quarter. Airtel added more than 920 new sites and expanded its fibre network to 82,100 kilometres, strengthening coverage, capacity, and customer experience across its markets.
Additionally, Airtel Africa improved its balance sheet by reducing leverage from 2.2x to 1.7x and repurchased approximately 10.2 million shares worth $46.6 million under its approved share buyback programme.
Airtel Africa says it remains focused on expanding digital connectivity, enhancing customer experience, and investing in future growth opportunities as demand for data services and digital financial solutions continues to rise across the continent.
